The Black Rider Auditions

The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets is an avant-garde musical fable combining elements of the Faust legend, horror, and cabaret. Created by director Robert Wilson, musician Tom Waits, and writer William S. Burroughs, the show follows a desperate young clerk who makes a pact with the devil to win the hand of his true love. 

Expected Rehearsal period: September 8th-October 29th 

Run dates: October 30th-November 15th, 2026

Characters: 

• Wilhelm: The tragic protagonist, a gentle, bookish clerk who falls in love with Kätchen.

• Pegleg / The Devil: The story’s diabolical, shape-shifting antagonist. 

• Kätchen: The huntsman's daughter and Wilhelm's true love. 

• Bertram (The Old Forester): Kätchen’s stern, traditional father.

• Anne: Bertram’s wife and Kätchen’s loving mother.

• Robert: A rival, established huntsman who is originally favored by Bertram to marry Kätchen.

• Wilhelm's Old Uncle: A ghostly or cautionary figure in the story who occasionally narrates the dire consequences of making deals with the dark side. 

*All roles are open to any gender and ethnicity 

If you have any questions please contact production@mercurytheater.org

We are not offering Equity contracts at this time. 

You must be 18 years or older to audition for Generals.

Please prepare:

One 1-2 minute monologue

16+ bars of an appropriate song

*There will be an accompanist at audition.

Rehearsals are generally Sunday through Thursday evenings, 6:30-10:30, beginning 6 to 8 weeks prior to opening. The cast will be required for rehearsal the entire weekend before opening and all of tech week. There may be some Saturday rehearsals, as well.  

Schedules are subject to change.

Performances are generally Fridays 7:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. With 1 Thursday evening performance during the second weekend of run.

Casting will be influenced by the number of scheduling conflicts you have. Any conflicts not disclosed at this time will not be honored after casting. Any undisclosed conflicts arising after casting may be cause for dismissal. Please list below any scheduling conflicts you know of during the rehearsal and performance period of the productions you are auditioning for. 

All Roles are volunteer only: Unless otherwise specified, all roles are volunteer only. Volunteers are reimbursed for food and travel costs with receipts up to $800. We do not provide housing at this time. We are not accepting Equity contracts at this time.