Announcing auditions for Theatre Pro Rata’s production “The Hired Man,” by Heather Meyer, directed by Jennie Ward.
About “The Hired Man”
A magical realism epic set in the modern American West, “The Hired Man” follows Matty, a restless cattlewoman who takes a job on a family ranch in rural Wyoming. As she settles into the rhythms of ranch life, the stability of the family she joins collides with her life of itinerant working, hard living, and harder choices.
It is inspired by Oedipus Rex, and blends classical storytelling with contemporary themes of love, identity, fate, family, and belonging. Set against the backdrop of cattle ranching, the play explores the legacies we inherit, the ones we create for ourselves, and the ways our past shapes our future. Featuring LGBTQIA+ characters as an integral part of its world, The Hired Man is a story of complicated relationships, hard-earned trust, and the search for home.
Perusal script available here.
Performance Dates:
Sept 23-Oct 12, 2026
Performance schedule:
Week 1: Thurs preview, Fri 7:30, Sat 7:30, Mon 7:30 PWYC
Week 2: Fri 7:30, Sat 7:30, Sun 2pm matinee, Mon 7:30 PWYC
Week 3: Fri 7:30, Sat 7:30 Closing
Performance Venue:
The Crane Theater
2303 Kennedy St NE UNIT 120,
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Rehearsal Dates:
Aug 17-Sept 23, 2026
weeknights (6:30-9:30pm) and weekends (1:00-5:00pm), 5 rehearsals per week
tech week: 6:30-10:30pm dress rehearsals, 6 rehearsals per week
Cast:
4W, 2M
$700 stipend paid
Queer, trans, and non-binary actors are encouraged to audition. Theatre Pro Rata is committed to a cast of at least 31% BIPOC actors, to reflect the demographics of the Twin Cities Metro community.
This is a magical realism piece: please do not let the actual listed “age” of the characters dissuade you from auditioning if you feel a connection to the characters. Actors will be asked to portray the gender listing in the script.
Wyoming is a place that is and has been home to people of many races, ethnicities, disabilities, and backgrounds. This play is open to any gender. The genders assigned in the descriptions are for the characters, not a requirement for the actors in those roles.
CHARACTERS:
MATTY – A 36-year-old female. She’s a professional cattle hand, questing to find themselves perhaps through others. She's visually stunning and striking with a mysterious magnetism, but there are no long pretty curls hiding beneath her cowboy hat; she's functional and practical. She works and plays with equal intention whether tossing hay bales into trucks or cracking wise with a brew. The dirt on her hands has been there for years.
HANK –61-year-old male. Owns a small cattle ranch. Handsome, fit, charming, it's easy to see his wild younger days still in his eyes. He's the rugged cowboy of the world's dreams riding towards the sunset, but he is not riding off yet, he still feels like a mustang leading his herd.
ELLEN - 18 years old female, high school senior. Hank's granddaughter has lived with Hank since she was six. She thinks she knows everything, and will get what she wants. She's the rankest bull in the rodeo. She/her
TIM - 22-year-old male, professional cattle hand, has been working on Hank's ranch for three years. Hard-working, thinks he believes in justice, fragile ego. He's brand-new leather not knowing strength comes from wear.
GEORGETTE - 52 years old female, gorgeous, outgoing, intelligent. Hank's girlfriend of five years. She's buried one husband and divorced the second. Does not suffer fools. She'll rattle her tail before she bites.
LINDA - 40 years old, female, Matty's mother. Is stuck in time nearly twenty years prior, haunt's Matty's entire being. Permeates through the space like something between a ghost and disease. Smokes with the accompanying smoker's cough. She's dust that never settles.
Audition Dates:
Video submissions due June 20, 2026, 11:59 PM
(Called back actors will be contacted by the morning of June 25.)
In-Person Callbacks: June 29, 2026, 6:00-10:00 pm.
Callback Location:
TBA
Audition Details:
Fill out this form. Note that you will be asked to upload a headshot and resume and a short (under 2 min) contemporary monologue video. Video submission guidelines here.
You will receive a copy of the form with your responses as confirmation of your submission.
We do not provide housing for actors; all performers must be located near the Twin Cities metro and able to arrange transportation to and from rehearsals and performances.
Additionally, is our TPR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement, TPR Harassment Policy and TPR Fight & Intimacy Procedure.
Please note: We welcome and encourage artists to take these documents and share them with other organizations who may be looking to adopt similar policies and procedures, we’re happy to share with our community!
If you have any questions, or issues submitting your video, please contact Nissa, our Audition Coordinator, at [email protected]