Schaumburg On Stage

08/25/2026

CASTING NOTICE OPEN CASTING CALL TONIGHT TUESDAY AUGUST 25TH for

FROM DUST

World Premiere / Winner of the point2point productions & The Lodge Foundation New Works Competition
Written by Eli Campbell Directed by Pat Henderson
Brief Description
Rural Nebraska. A time that could be now but isn’t exactly our now.
Ettie, a meticulous doomsday prepper, has hired Smith, a contractor ill-prepared for the end of the
world, to build her nuclear-safe underground bunker. When a fringe radio broadcast claims the
missiles are about to launch, Ettie locks them both inside. The latch fails. Trapped together in a
steel box with limited food, water, and air, the two strangers must confront claustrophobia,
paranoia, class tensions, mental health, and the question of whether survival is even worth it.
A sharp, darkly funny, and escalating two-hander about preparedness, skepticism, and what we do
when the only person left is a stranger we barely trust.

Characters
● ETTIE – 30s to 50s, woman. Prepared for the end. Sharp, controlling, driven by a need for
absolute control and quality.
● SMITH – mid 20s to early 30s, man. Ill-prepared for the end. Practical, anxious, trying to keep
it together under pressure.
Director
Pat Henderson is a Chicago-area director and lighting designer who has directed and designed more
than 60 productions over the past eight years. Recent credits include Pippin and South Pacific for
MadKap Productions at Skokie Theatre, An Act of God for Williams Street Repertory, and Steel
Magnolias at Steel Beam Theatre. She has a strong focus on new work and has directed numerous world
premieres. Pat holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from the University of Minnesota and is an
Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Auditions
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin, IL
Show Dates: Oct. 2, 3rd and 4th and Oct. 8th, 9th and 10th.

Compensation: $200 stipend for each actor.

Audition Format: Cold reads only. Sides from the script will be provided. No prepared monologues required.
Please bring a current headshot and résumé.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be three days per week (Sundays evenings confirmed; additional days to be
determined) until the show's opening in mid-October.
This production will be submitted for consideration by the Lou Awards for their 2026/2027 Awards
Season.
All interested performers from the Chicago area and surrounding communities are encouraged to
attend. We look forward
to seeing you

08/25/2026

There is still plenty of time to reserve your FREE seat for our Golden Age Cabaret. After the show, stay to enjoy the end of summer. Light refreshments available for purchase.

The fun starts at 6 pm at The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court in Elgin with a great lineup of songs from the Golden Age of Hollywood from the 1940's to the early 1960's.

Walk-in's welcome.

Tell your friends...see you at The Lodge!"

rsvp at: thelodgeelgin.com

08/23/2026

We’re not gonna pay rent!! 🏙️ 🎶

Looking back on the memories we made during RENT: School Edition! We’re so grateful for everyone who helped bring this show to life in our four week rehearsal process!! We are forever thankful for everyone who came out to support us. ❤️

No day but today! 🎶

And now, we’re onto our next adventure… 👀💚 SHREK THE MUSICAL is coming this winter! We’ll see you in the swamp! 🧅

08/20/2026

Open Casting Call August 25th

CASTING NOTICE
FROM DUST
World Premiere / Winner of the point2point productions & The Lodge Foundation New Works Competition
Written by Eli Campbell Directed by Pat Henderson
Brief Description
Rural Nebraska. A time that could be now but isn’t exactly our now.
Ettie, a meticulous doomsday prepper, has hired Smith, a contractor ill-prepared for the end of the
world, to build her nuclear-safe underground bunker. When a fringe radio broadcast claims the
missiles are about to launch, Ettie locks them both inside. The latch fails. Trapped together in a
steel box with limited food, water, and air, the two strangers must confront claustrophobia,
paranoia, class tensions, mental health, and the question of whether survival is even worth it.
A sharp, darkly funny, and escalating two-hander about preparedness, skepticism, and what we do
when the only person left is a stranger we barely trust.
Characters
● ETTIE – 30s to 50s, woman. Prepared for the end. Sharp, controlling, driven by a need for
absolute control and quality.
● SMITH – mid 20s to early 30s, man. Ill-prepared for the end. Practical, anxious, trying to keep
it together under pressure.
Director
Pat Henderson is a Chicago-area director and lighting designer who has directed and designed more
than 60 productions over the past eight years. Recent credits include Pippin and South Pacific for
MadKap Productions at Skokie Theatre, An Act of God for Williams Street Repertory, and Steel
Magnolias at Steel Beam Theatre. She has a strong focus on new work and has directed numerous world
premieres. Pat holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from the University of Minnesota and is an
Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Auditions
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin, IL
Compensation: $200 stipend for each actor.
Format: Cold reads only. Sides from the script will be provided. No prepared monologues required.
Please bring a current headshot and résumé.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be three days per week (Sundays evenings confirmed; additional days to be
determined) until the show's opening in mid-October.
This production will be submitted for consideration by the Lou Awards for their 2026/2027 Awards
Season.
All interested performers from the Chicago area and surrounding communities are encouraged to
attend. We look forward
to seeing you

08/20/2026

CASTING NOTICE
FROM DUST
World Premiere / Winner of the point2point productions & The Lodge Foundation New Works Competition
Written by Eli Campbell Directed by Pat Henderson
Brief Description
Rural Nebraska. A time that could be now but isn’t exactly our now.
Ettie, a meticulous doomsday prepper, has hired Smith, a contractor ill-prepared for the end of the
world, to build her nuclear-safe underground bunker. When a fringe radio broadcast claims the
missiles are about to launch, Ettie locks them both inside. The latch fails. Trapped together in a
steel box with limited food, water, and air, the two strangers must confront claustrophobia,
paranoia, class tensions, mental health, and the question of whether survival is even worth it.
A sharp, darkly funny, and escalating two-hander about preparedness, skepticism, and what we do
when the only person left is a stranger we barely trust.
Characters
● ETTIE – 30s to 50s, woman. Prepared for the end. Sharp, controlling, driven by a need for
absolute control and quality.
● SMITH – mid 20s to early 30s, man. Ill-prepared for the end. Practical, anxious, trying to keep
it together under pressure.
Director
Pat Henderson is a Chicago-area director and lighting designer who has directed and designed more
than 60 productions over the past eight years. Recent credits include Pippin and South Pacific for
MadKap Productions at Skokie Theatre, An Act of God for Williams Street Repertory, and Steel
Magnolias at Steel Beam Theatre. She has a strong focus on new work and has directed numerous world
premieres. Pat holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from the University of Minnesota and is an
Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Auditions
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Court, Elgin, IL
Compensation: $200 stipend for each actor.
Format: Cold reads only. Sides from the script will be provided. No prepared monologues required.
Please bring a current headshot and résumé.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be three days per week (Sundays evenings confirmed; additional days to be
determined) until the show's opening in mid-October.
This production will be submitted for consideration by the Lou Awards for their 2026/2027 Awards
Season.
All interested performers from the Chicago area and surrounding communities are encouraged to
attend. We look forward
to seeing you

08/18/2026

Join us at The Lodge for two FREE events you won't want to miss.

RSVP to thelodgeelgin.com TODAY!

08/18/2026

Wes is back, and we still have spots available! Whether you're preparing for an audition, building your book, or creating material for a reel, this is a fantastic opportunity to receive personalized coaching on your song selection. Join acclaimed Music Director Wesley Beyers for an interactive workshop where you'll perform a song from your book and receive individualized feedback to strengthen your vocal performance, storytelling, and audition technique. This workshop is open to professionals, passionate musical theatre fans, and high school students of all experience levels. Participants who attended our first workshop this summer will return to record a polished self tape. New participants will receive one on one coaching on their song selection and, if time permits, will also have the opportunity to create a self tape. Come grow your skills, gain confidence, and leave with practical tools you can use in your next audition! For more information and to register, visit thelodgeelgin.com.

08/12/2026

What's Playing at The Lodge Performing Arts Center at 18 Villa Court in Elgin?

Two great FREE events that's what!

RSVP TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TO ONE OR BOTH FREE EVENTS. Just our way of saying thanks for spending your summer at The Lodge

For additional information visit our website at www.schaumburgonstage.org