Auditions
Auditions open for 2026!
We are currently hiring for one paid Tour Actor position. Please email a headshot, resume, and three professional references to Lauren Scheller-Wolf at lschellerwolf@saltworks.org. Questions about the position can also be sent to that email address.
Auditions will take place at our office in Pittsburgh and 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 as well as some interview questions. We may also ask you to perform cold reads from our current scripts. If you are auditioning from a distance, we can arrange to meet virtually.
For colleges and universities: Upon request, we can conduct on-campus auditions.
Tour Actor Job Description:
OVERVIEW
This is a paid, part-time, non-equity contract that takes place over the second half of a school year (January-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 January through May with additional rehearsal pay in December. The daily touring schedule varies, but most days begin and end at the Saltworks office in Avalon, PA. Overnight travel is very occasionally 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.