Become a Saltworks Tour Actor
We hire Pittsburgh actors for our school shows!
What to Expect in a Saltworks Theatre Audition
Saltworks Theatre is proud to provide part-time work for local actors! If you're considering auditioning for the 2026-27 season, make sure you review the information below and fill out our request form.
Audition Location
Auditions are held at our office in Pittsburgh: 939 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Virtual or on-campus auditions are available upon request, but not recommended.
Prepared Work
The audition will consist of a brief (less than one minute) comedic monologue suited for an elementary school audience and a brief dramatic monologue suited for a high school audience
Additional Elements
We will also ask you a few interview questions to see if you're a good fit for our group. We may also ask you to perform cold reads from our current scripts.
Tour Actor Audition Request Form
Our 2026 Saltworks Troupe
These Pittsburgh actors toured local schools through 2025-2026 with shows educating children about social issues, health, and kindness.
Samantha (Sami) Roth
Where are you from?
Butler, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Point Park University: BFA in Acting/ Minor in Dance
What is your favorite place to eat?
Olive Garden
What is your favorite pasttime?
Manage and care for my four fish tanks!
Do you have brothers and sisters?
I have 4 fish, 100+ snails, 10 shrimp, and my best friend–my dog Millie!
What do you like to do with your friends
Take adult tap and jazz classes! I have been dancing professionally for 7 years.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Because I love working with kids! At my evening job, I wear a lot of dance shoes and my kids call me “Miss Sami.”
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
The opportunity to educate towards safer and more inclusive tomorrows!
Julianna Eyer
Where are you from?
Right here in Pittsburgh, PA! Specifically Bellevue, right down the road from Saltworks.
What college did you graduate from?
I have my B.A. in Theatre Performance from Seton Hill University in Greensburg. Go Griffs!
What is your favorite place to eat?
I’m a pretty adventurous eater, but if I had to pick one place, it would probably be
Condado. I love a good taco.
What is your favorite pasttime?
I really love reading, crafting, and hanging out with my dog, Pippa.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I’m an only child, but thanks to my husband Jacob, I have a pretty cool sister-in-law.
What do you like to do with your friends?
I’m a big fan of board/card games, those are always fun!
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Art has a really powerful way of reaching people, especially young ones. If I can use my theatrical skills to reach people and spread positivity, then I believe that’s a worthwhile way to use them.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
I believe that I’m going to learn a lot from the students that will be learning from us. I’m also super excited to work with old friends and make new ones along the way!
Bob Colbert
Where are you from?
New Kensington, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Messiah College: BFA in Musical Theatre
What is your favorite place to eat?
The Melting Pot
What is your favorite pasttime?
Reading and researching plays and musicals
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I’m an only child!
What do you like to do with your friends?
Watch movies, talk about theatre, perform together.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
Because I’d grown up doing Young Actor’s Ensemble and classes and camps, and wanted to come back to the place where my love of theatre was first cultivated.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
My greatest expectation is to become friends and good castmates with my fellow actors, and leave a positive impact on the kids that we perform for.
Loren LaCash Mellick
Where are you from?
I’m from Spokane, Washington, born and raised!
What college did you graduate from?
I attended the University of Northern Colorado, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting and Vocal performance.
What is your favorite place to eat?
I love Mola Sushi here in Pittsburgh, and just can’t get enough of it!
What is your favorite pasttime?
My favorite hobby, when I get the chance, is to play Dungeons and Dragons in person. I often play as the dungeon master, or as a player.
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have three brothers and one sister! I am the youngest of the bunch.
What do you like to do with your friends?
My friends and I love playing video games together or watching scary movies. A recent favorite of my friends and I has been the game Peak.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I used to be enamored as a kid by traveling shows that would visit my schools, which was part of the reason that I originally wanted to be an actor. It was an inspiration to start doing school plays at my school. Getting to do the same thing I used to see when I was a kid seemed like an out of this world experience!
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
Right now, if I can make the world a little less confusing and difficult for someone going through a tough time in school, that is my biggest goal. Things are hard right now, but I am hoping that I can help some feel a little less overwhelmed now. My biggest expectation is that Saltworks will be instrumental in helping me reach as many people as I can!
Kenzie Hartnett
Where are you from?
Bridgeville, PA
What college did you graduate from?
Seton Hill University, B.A. Musical Theatre
What is your favorite place to eat?
Olive Garden
What is your favorite pasttime?
Keeping up with the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Do you have brothers or sisters?
I have 1 older brother.
What do you like to do with your friends?
My friends and I love to have movie nights and take dance classes together.
Why did you want to work for Saltworks?
I think theatre can be a really effective educational tool, especially for younger audiences. I remember seeing shows similar to the ones Saltwork produces when I was growing up in school and I feel passionately about using my capabilities to inspire positive change within today’s youth.
What is your greatest expectation of your time with Saltworks?
I’m so excited to be working with a longtime friend of mine, Julianna Eyer, and continuing to connect with new artists through this experience. Creating new friendships has always been one of my favorite parts about theatre.
Tour Actor Job Description
Please review our Saltworks Actor job description to ensure you meet the qualifications before requesting an auditon.
Overview
This is a paid, part-time, non-equity contract that takes place over a school year (September-May). The five-person tour performs several 45-minute social issue plays for K-12 school assemblies.
Company History
Our social issue plays have toured since 1983 and have been seen by over 2 ½ million people.
Work Hours
Employment is part-time from September through May. The daily touring schedule varies, but most days begin and end at the Saltworks office in Avalon, PA. Overnight travel is only rarely required. The majority of shows are local and take place on weekdays between 6am and 4pm.
Touring Region
The primary touring area is Western Pennsylvania with occasional performances throughout PA, OH, NJ, WV, and NY.
Compensation
Tour actors are paid $50/show, and rehearsals are compensated at $13.50/hour. Tour actor roles are built into this pay structure, but additional administrative/tech duties (e.g. responding to fan mail, creating and repairing props, etc.) are compensated at the hourly rate. Per diem and lodging are provided for all overnights (overnight travel is rare).
Housing
Touring Actors are required to live in the Pittsburgh area but housing is not provided. Reliable transportation is a must as there will be early morning calls and actors ride to performances together in the Saltworks van.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are generally held from 9:00-3:00, and will include training on the social topics, question and answer sessions, and non-performance duties, as well as participation in team-building activities.
Non-Performance Duties
After the rehearsal period ends, the tour is on the road without a director or stage manager. Shows and accommodations are booked through the office, and the actors serve as crew, driver, stage manager, etc. Actors are responsible for loading, unloading, and driving the tour van, setting up and tearing down the set and sound equipment, performing the plays, and facilitating Q&A sessions with students after each performance. Each tour member is assigned a non-performance job, but all members work together as a team. They are responsible for maintaining good working relationships with one another and communicating with the Production Manager. Because of the physical and emotional demands of touring, all tour members must be in good health.
Student Interaction
After each performance, a brief Q&A is held, during which students ask questions about the show and the actors lead the discussion.
Additional Information
Since Saltworks staff work closely with children and teens to educate them about healthy choices, employees must sign a Statement of Integrity. They must also submit PA Clearances for working with children (Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance & Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check) and a copy of their driving record from their state of residence.