YOUNG ARTIST COLLECTIVE
A PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS AGES 15-25
Join Blindspot Collective and UCSD this summer for a four-week workshop of a new musical created for young artists between the ages of 15 to 25. The program is designed for young performers who have a serious interest in musical theater to participate in the development of Outrun the Wolf by Lilia Porter which culminates in a professional performance.
TIMELINE
March, 2026: Application and audition submissions are due. Applications submitted after the deadline will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, but are not guaranteed a callback. Callbacks will be scheduled in early-April and invitations will be sent on a rolling basis. Callback slots are limited.
July, 2026: Registration Due.
July 6th, 2026: Program begins. The majority of the program will be held in downtown San Diego at 1100 Kettner Boulevard. In the last week, some rehearsals will be held at the venue (venue to be announced at a later date).
July 31st & August 1st, 2026: Performance dates (tentative).
The program will operate Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm each day.
Participants will be required to provide their own lunch.
A registration fee of $250 will be collected upon registration. Pay what you can options and fee waivers are available. For families whom the registration fee will create a burden fill out THIS FORM.
Technical rehearsals will be held during the week of July 27th, 2026. Scheduling and location information TBA.
Applicants of all experience levels will be considered. Participants must be at least 15 years old when the program begins in the summer of 2026.
Because Blindspot Collective is committed to inclusivity and authentic representation, members of historically excluded or marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. These communities include but are not limited to: people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It has been so fulfilling and amazing to get the chance to collaborate with my peers and professional artists."
- Sashank Kanchustambam, previous participant
ABOUT THE SHOW
In the shadowed hills of Harlan, the woods are alive with whispers. Witches, wolves, and warnings passed down like gospel. Nellie Dee has spent her whole life trying to be “good,” trying to stay safe, trying to keep her anger buried.
As the town’s golden storyteller Ira tightens his grip, fear becomes a weapon, rumor becomes law, and Nellie’s secret can no longer stay hidden: the monster they’ve been searching for has been living among them all along.
Told through the discography of bluegrass band Breaking Grass and eerie folklore Outrun the Wolf is a haunting new folk musical about power, myth, survival, and what it means to run toward yourself instead of away.
HOW TO APPLY
All interested applicants must submit an interest and submission form. Tune back in for our 2026 deadline and call for submissions. (any submissions after the deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis however please note that late submissions are not guaranteed a callback). The form collects personal information, and the following attachments:
1. A resume (if a resume is not available, please do not create one but submit a paragraph describing any previous theater, dance, or singing experience.)
2. A headshot (if you do not have a headshot, please provide a recent selfie.)
3. A statement of interest describing why you are interested in this program and what you hope to learn or gain from the experience. The statement should be no more than 200 words.
4. An audition video of approximately 1-minute of singing. We encourage applicants to record a folk, rock, or musical theater song that showcases their emotional depth and storytelling abilities. The show includes music by Breaking Grass, a bluegrass band.
Applicants will receive invitations to in-person callbacks after our submission process has ended.
CHARACTERS
THE HAGS: (3; RUBY, ROSE, AND RITA) Three narrators who exist out of time and space that guide the audience through the story, occasionally joining in crowd moments with the ensemble–therefore, singing and movement experience is a plus. They should be comfortable with “inhuman” movement as part of their storytelling. Ideally women or at least femme-presenting, but not required. Despite their title being “hags,” age is flexible, and they can be portrayed by actors of any size and/or with any sort of disability.
ABELENE: A young woman with a heart of gold and a no-nonsense attitude. She is smart and sassy and very much a protector. Older sister of Nellie Dee. Singing and dancing role, ideally female or femme-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible.
IRA: A young man obsessed with power, and believes that the only way to truly unify people is to give them a common enemy. Definitely believes it is better to be feared than loved. “In love” with Nellie Dee, though it borders more on obsession and he doesn’t agree with how she changes throughout the story. Singing role, potentially dancing as well. Ideally male or masc-presenting. Age/size flexible.
NELLIE DEE: Abelene’s younger sister, she believes that actions speak louder than words and will not hesitate to fight for what she believes in and who she loves. Singing and dancing role, ideally female or femme-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible (though not too far apart in age from their love interest, Larkin).
LARKIN: A young werewolf with a big heart. A diehard romantic, meets with Nellie Dee in secret despite warnings from others. Singing and dancing role, ideally male or masc-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible (though not too far apart in age from their love interest, Nellie Dee).
CYRUS: One of Ira’s “goons,” very logic-driven and serious. Especially close with Abelene, but operates as a sort of “older sibling” for Cricket. Singing and dancing role. Gender/age/size/ability flexible.
CRICKET: One of Cyrus’s “goons,” mostly just likes being included in the group. Silly, happy-go-lucky, just wants to do the right thing ultimately. Singing and dancing role. Gender/age/size/ability flexible.
SAWYER: One of the younger werewolves, lived in the village as a kid before transforming for the first time and was chased out. A bit of a “class clown” type. Singing and dancing role. Gender/age/size/ability flexible.
OLIVER: A young werewolf nursing a broken heart and a tragic past. Friendly, but stern with Larkin and worried about his relationship with Nellie Dee. Singing and dancing role, ideally male or masc-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible.
BOBBY: A werewolf storyteller with a flair for the dramatic and a great (he thinks) sense of humor. Attached at the hip with Tommy. Singing and dancing role, ideally male or masc-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible.
TOMMY: A werewolf storyteller with silly energy, believes you can solve any problem with a good joke. Attached at the hip with Bobby. Singing and dancing role, ideally male or masc-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible.
PAULINE: An older werewolf with a commanding, motherly presence. No-nonsense attitude and a big mama bear personality. Singing role, potentially dancing as well. Ideally female or femme-presenting and ideally older (middle-aged if possible, 40’s-60’s). Size/ability flexible.
ROYAL: Pauline’s husband and a complete romantic. Defers to Pauline happily for just about everything. Singing role, potentially dancing as well. Ideally male or masc-presenting and ideally older (middle-aged if possible, 40’s-60’s). Size/ability flexible.
AVA: A young woman whose life was tragically cut short before the start of the show, Ava appears as a silent ghost haunting Oliver. Dancing role, ideally female or femme-presenting. Age/size/ability flexible (though ideally close in age to Oliver).
ENSEMBLE: Singers and dancers and everything in between who make up the townsfolk of both the human village and the werewolf camp. Gender/age/size/ability flexible.
VIDEO AUDITION TIPS
Begin by introducing yourself. Tell us your name, age, what voice part you are (if you know), and any special skills you have.
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For best results, place your device on a stationary object such as a tripod or table.
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Record a wide shot that includes your full torso and arms.
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Do not sing acapella and make sure that we will be able to hear your singing and the accompaniment track.
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Stand in front of a blank wall or door.
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Do not send prior performances or a recording from a previous show.
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Do not put pressure on yourself to deliver the “perfect” audition. Be authentic and don’t forget to have fun!
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
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To promote accessibility and reduce barriers, this programs'
registration fee can be waived by filling out THIS FORM.
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Participants must provide their own transportation. Housing
and travel accommodations are not available. A limited number of transportation stipends are available for participants in need. Please fill out THIS FORM.
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The program will primarily be held in downtown San Diego
at 1100 Kettner Boulevard which is ideally located near public
transit. Select rehearsals will be conducted in the venue. Location TBD.
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Healthy snacks and water will be provided, but participants must provide their own lunch.
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Blindspot Collective believes in creating a safe and structured learning environment. Our teaching artists and staff are trained to cultivate a positive and professional rehearsal process. Workshops will include daily warmups, writing activities, ensemble-building, and introductions to multiple methods of developing original work.
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Should you have any questions or require assistance of any kind,
please email us at submissions@blindspotcollective.org.