Non Union Theater Sends Mournful, Yet Oddly Encouraging Rejection Email

After seeing several hundred people in New York and several dozen locally, Redwood State Theater has completed casting for The Marvelous Wonderettes, the final show in their 13th season. In keeping with company tradition, Artistic Director Jem Wittan penned an open rejection letter to be sent to each and every person who auditioned approximately seven months after the last callback.

Dear Actors,

It is with great sadness and true regret that we inform you that we are unable to cast you in our season. We spent many days and many nights considering and re-considering the options. Tears were shed. Friendships were shattered. Careers were ended. I myself am writing this from the hospital, which I checked into “for exhaustion” following this harrowing process.

Simply put, we were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of talent we saw during our audition process. It is like a dagger to my very core that we cannot cast each and every one of the 546 people who auditioned, a pool that was haphazardly narrowed from the 25,000 who submitted for this month long, $500 stipend opportunity.

Although we are unable to bring your talents to Redwood at this time, we hope that you know just how special you really are. I wish I could kiss each and every one of you gently on the forehead and rock you to sleep. Know that you are beautiful. Know that you have a precious light within you. Know that you will be successful in anything you pursue, whether theater is your lifelong calling or you quit to go to med school and lead a normal life.

Please do not contact us any time soon. We have added you to our mailing list, which will not specify any audition information. Consider changing your homepage to our “Work with Us” page if you would like to know when our next round of auditions will take place.

I will leave you with this Irish Proverb:

“May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall softly upon your fields

And until we meet again,

May Lin-Manuel Miranda hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Good Luck in Your Personal Life.

Sincerely,

Jim Wittan

Artistic Director and Co-Founder

Redwood State Theater