In National Merit, seven students embark on an intensive PSAT prep program in the hopes to become National Merit Scholars. As the pressure rises, these high school juniors question what it means to achieve National Merit status, who gets to achieve it, and what it costs. With humor and heart, playwright Valen-Marie Santos scrutinizes academic achievement, socioeconomic privilege, and racial injustice within a private school setting.

Please read all audition information before submitting!

Please note, BoHo Theatre only offers non-AEA contracts.*

BoHo Theatre is committed to developing a diverse ensemble of artists. Actors of all ethnicities, gender identities and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to audition.

Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide.

Callbacks will take place Wednesday, April 6th from 6:30-10:00pm and Thursday, April 7th from 6:30-10:00pm. For those artists invited to attend callbacks, the materials will be provided at a later date. If you receive a callback email, we will be asking you to provide your COVID-19 vaccination card and asking if you feel comfortable unmasking in the audition room and if you're comfortable auditioning with other unmasked actors. All cast members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to appear at an in-person callback and be cast in the show. "Fully vaccinated," as defined by the CDC, is more than 14 calendar days following receipt of a final dose of an FDA or World Health Organization authorized or approved vaccine.

Location: The Edge Theatre

DIRECTOR'S NOTE ON AUDITIONS: These characters always have something to say, even if they don't always say the "right" thing; when preparing these sides, work with your reader to embrace the flow of the dialogue. And while these characters may be younger than you, I encourage you not to "play younger"-bring your natural voice to the character. Feel free to email Enrico at enrico.spada@bohotheatre.com with any questions.

Artistic Team:
Playwright: Valen-Marie Santos
Director: Enrico Spada
Artistic Director: Elizabeth Swanson
Casting Associates: Adam Hill & Molly Layton

ROLES AVAILABLE: (we will be casting understudies as well)

ALEX, 33, Latinx, teaches the class, was a National Merit Scholar, Ivy League graduate.

JENNY, 18, white, senior at Westbrook Prep, cheerleader, always says yes.

ARIANA, 17, White, junior at Sawgrass High, dedicated musician, a natural caretaker, most interested in keeping the peace.

MELISSA, 17, Black, junior at Westbrook Prep, valedictorian or bust, will do anything to get into Yale.

CAMILA, 16, Latinx, junior at Westbrook Prep, doesn't take anyone's BS, impressively put together, secretly loves to gossip.

CISCO, 16, Latinx, junior at Westbrook Prep, constantly performing, willing to settle for National Hispanic Scholar.

JAX, 17, White, junior at Westbrook Prep, total fuckboy, shirt perpetually untucked, (seems like) he would rather be doing literally anything else.

YASH, 16, South Asian, junior at Westbrook Prep, definitely thinks he's popular, Jax's right hand man, stressed but wouldn't dare show it.