War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast Auditions

An alien invasion throws humanity into chaos in the classic sci-fi novel The War of the Worlds – but all it took to cause real-life panic in the streets was Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation, which listeners mistook for news.

Now, ten years later, the KTVT radio ensemble recreates the colorful events surrounding the infamous evening, including the full original broadcast. Complete with vintage commercials and live sound effects, this radio-play-within-a-radio-play is a homage to the form’s golden age and a reminder of what fear can do to a society.

This production is seeking a cast of 5–24 people. Actors will play multiple roles as radio performers in the 1940s reenacting the “panic broadcast.” We are looking primarily for adult actors. Some roles are specifically for men, but many are for individuals of any gender who can shift convincingly between multiple characters: reporters, scientists, military officers, panicked citizens, radio announcers, sometimes within the same scene. Strong, clear vocal work is essential since this is a radio show — the actors' voices tell the stories, enliven the characters, and raise the emotional stakes without the aid of physical staging. Comfort with 1930s/40s vocal style (think old-time radio announcers and news reporters) is a plus, but not required. We’ll work together during rehearsals to create a cohesive group.

As with our previous radio shows, we will hold the scripts for performances; while we expect familiarity with the script by opening, complete memorization is not expected.

We also welcome anyone who is drawn to live sound effects (foley)! This production leans heavily on live-created sound and it’s been one of the most delightful parts of our radio shows every year.

Director: Laura Hicken

Auditions:
- War of the Worlds auditions: August 17, 2026 at 6:30 pm at TVT (90 N. 100 W., Heber City, UT 84032)
- Callbacks: August 18, 2026 at 6:30 pm, by invitation

Rehearsals:
- Begin Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Regular rehearsals: Monday and Wednesday, 6:30–9:30 pm; Saturday, 8:00–11:30 am
- Dress/Tech rehearsals: week of October 19, 2026

Performances:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from October 23 through 31, 2026

Please come prepared with a one-minute monologue of your choosing.