A Short Leap Theatre Co. is seeking actors for its upcoming production of 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog. Co-Directed by Josh Leeper & Amanda Hays.

In person auditions will take place on July 21 and 23, 7:00 - 10:00 PM at 6165 N Winthrop Ave.
Virtual Auditions are being accepted through 11:59PM on July 21, 2026.
Invited Callbacks will take place in person on July 25 from 12-4PM.
Attendance at callbacks is not required to be considered for casting, but preferred.

Synopsis: After suffering a major loss while on a cross-country bike trip, 21-year-old Leo seeks solace from his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera in her West Village apartment. Over the course of a single month, these unlikely roommates infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other. 4000 Miles looks at how two outsiders find their way in today's world.

Pay $750 stipend, to be paid at the conclusion of the run.

This production will utilize understudies. All Understudies will have two guaranteed performances.

Character Descriptions:
LEO JOSEPH-CONNELL, Male, 21. Vera's grandson. Lanky, fit, and travel-worn - he's just biked from Seattle. Warm, restless, and disarmingly earnest, with a reckless charm and a tendency to philosophize at length. Underneath the easy grin is a young man quietly working through the recent death of a close friend on the road, and he isn't ready to talk about it directly. NOTE: This role includes choreographed physical intimacy with the roles of Bec and Amanda. (ALSO SEEKING UNDERSTUDY)

VERA JOSEPH, Female, 91. Leo's grandmother. Tiny and frail but formidable - sharp-tongued, opinionated, and still fighting for her words. A lifelong leftist and widow, fiercely independent, hard of hearing, funny without meaning to be, and more perceptive than she lets on. (THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST. SEEKING UNDERSTUDY ONLY.)

BEC, Female, 21. Leo's on-and-off girlfriend, now away at college. Strong, capable, and ambitious, with little patience for being made to carry other people's guilt. NOTE: This role includes choreographed physical intimacy with the role of Leo. (ALSO SEEKING UNDERSTUDY.)

AMANDA, Female, 19, Chinese-American. A young woman Leo brings home for the night late in the play. Talkative, anxious, and disarmingly candid. This role will double Lily. (ALSO SEEKING UNDERSTUDY.) NOTE: This role includes choreographed physical intimacy with the role of Leo

Actors of any/all racial identity, gender identity, gender expression, or lived experience are encouraged to audition and may be cast. These characters are defined by their humanity, not by gender. We are excited by casting that brings lived truth, nuance, and specificity to the roles. ALL ACTORS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT.