CASTING CALL: Leading Role for an Upcoming Contemporary Drama – paid gig
Production: Untitled Nick Hornby Stage Project (English Language)
Company: Budapest English Theatre & Táncolj Majom Produkció
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Contract Dates: 6 weeks rehearsals, 6 show dates TBC
Rehearsals start: May-beginning of June, break for summer (depending on availability)
Performance dates: first run between September-December 2026
The Project
We are producing a critically acclaimed, high-intensity drama written by Nick Hornby. This production marks a fresh English-language staging in Budapest. We are seeking a versatile, commanding actor for the central role.
The Role: The Bouncer
- Gender: Male
- Playing Age: 35–55
- Character Archetype: A “big lad” in stature. Someone who has spent years working doors and managing conflict.
Description:
The character is a man of few words who suddenly finds himself with a lot to say. He is a working-class pragmatist: grounded, observant, and possessed of a dry, sharp wit. While his physicality suggests “muscle”, the role requires deep emotional intelligence and the ability to project vulnerability. He is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously, even when he doesn’t fully understand the world he’s been dropped into.
We are looking for an actor who can preferably physically embody the presence of a professional bouncer but possesses the emotional range to carry a complex narrative. This character is grounded, observant, and fiercely protective. He isn’t a “tough guy” for the sake of it; he is a man with a moral compass, a family life, and an unexpected capacity for empathy.
The script is fast-paced, conversational, and demands a performer who can balance dry, working-class humor with moments of profound vulnerability.
Requirements:
- Presence: Must have a strong, imposing physical stage presence. Though keep in mind that bouncers come in all shapes and sizes 😉
- Language: Native or near-native English fluency.
- Skillset: Exceptional storytelling ability and the stamina to sustain a solo performance.
Audition Information
Date: to be announced
Location: to be announced
How to Apply: Please submit your Headshot and CV to contact@budapestenglishtheatre.com
Submission Details
Please send the following to contact@budapestenglishtheatre.com:
- CV/Resume and a current Headshot.
- A short video intro (max 1 min) or a link to your showreel.
- Availability for the production dates listed above.
Note on the Material: Successful applicants will be sent a 2-page excerpt from the script to prepare. You do not need to memorise it, but you should be prepared to play with the text and take direction.
Submission Deadline: 15 April 2026
A Quick “Director’s Tip” for Dave
We aren’t looking for a “theatre-y” performance. We want someone who feels like they just walked off a shift at a club in Pest and sat down to tell us a story over a Sapi. Think warmth, confusion, and accidental integrity.
Budapest English Theatre 