Announcing Auditions for Ada & the Engine!

Directed by Miller Liberatore.

In-Person Auditions are on August 18, 2025, 6-10pm.
We are accepting Non-AEA actor submissions at this time.

Auditions are held at the Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida Suite A, Mountain View, CA

Please sign up for 30 minute time slot - LINK TO SIGN UP
Please complete the audition form, and upload your headshot & résumé.

Please prepare: SIDES can be found at the following Drive. A reader will be present at auditions. We anticipate using these auditions as callbacks, so you may be asked for additional readings at the audition. 

Video Auditions: Virtual submissions are due by August 18 at 5pm via the Audition form. 

All positions are volunteer. A $300 travel stipend is available. 

Ada & The Engine Dates:
First Rehearsal: October 18, 2025
Performances: November 21 - December 7, 2025

Pear Theatre places equity at the core of what we do. In order to fulfill our mission, we strive to share stories that represent the full spectrum of human experience. We consistently engage with our past and present missteps with regards to equity, and we commit to moving ourselves, our artists, our patrons, and our community toward a more equitable, just, and inclusive artistic world. The Pear Theatre is designed to be physically accessible to people with disabilities, and encourages all to audition. 

We are actively seeking actors of all ethnicities and gender identities/expressions for all roles. While the descriptions below refer to the characters’ identities/expressions, all roles are open to actors of any/all identities and expressions who are comfortable portraying the characters as described.

For questions, please contact: auditions@thepear.org

Ada & the Engine Synopsis: A visionary journey of love, ambition and the boundless power of the mind.  Poetry meets mathematics, the past meets the future and one woman's brilliance changes history forever.   In a world that seeks to confine her, Ada dreams of an engine that could think, unlocking the dawn of the modern computer.  Fueled by her intellectual passion and a deep connection with the renowned inventor Charles Babbage, Ada’s journey is one of heart, spirit, and mind. Ada and the Engine explores intellectual passion versus societal expectation, showing the tension between personal brilliance and the roles imposed on women. 

Ada & The Engine Character Descriptions:

Ada Byron Lovelace – Early 20s to early 30s. A brilliant, passionate mathematician with a flair for the poetic. Headstrong, witty, and visionary, Ada seeks to merge logic with imagination. She is constantly torn between societal expectations and her boundless intellectual ambition. Must capture both vulnerability and fierce intelligence.

Charles Babbage – 30s to 50s. A charming, ambitious inventor and mathematician—rigid in thought yet deeply inspired by Ada. A man of science who battles emotional restraint and romantic possibility. Strong chemistry with Ada is essential. Poised, intelligent, but flawed by pride and uncertainty.

Annabella Byron – 40s to 60s. Ada’s formidable mother. Composed, aristocratic, and emotionally restrained, with a steel-trap mind and intense concern for propriety. Her love for Ada is real but masked by control. A study in elegant repression with glimpses of deeper emotional complexity. This role may double with Mary. 

Lord Byron – 30s to 50s. Romantic, magnetic, and otherworldly. Appears as a ghost or memory; poetic, dangerous, and alluring. A living symbol of imagination and chaos—both inspiration and warning to Ada. 

Mary Somerville – 40s to 60s. A trailblazing intellectual and Ada’s mentor. Calm, compassionate, and insightful. Embodies quiet authority and wisdom. Mary supports Ada with warmth and vision, modeling the rare existence of a respected woman in science. This role may double with Annabella.

Performance Calendar for Ada & The Engine
(Gray zone indicates possible extra performance).

Announcing Auditions for Anon(ymous)!

Directed by Vinh G. Nguyen

In-Person Auditions are on Saturday August 16, 2025, 12-5pm.
We are only accepting Non-AEA actor submissions at this time.

Auditions are held at the Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida Suite A, Mountain View, CA

Please sign up for 60 minute time slot LINK TO SIGN UP
Please complete this audition form, and upload headshot & resume.

At the Audition:

• Plan on staying for the full hour

• Please prepare 2 sides from this document for the roles you would like to be considered for. We anticipate using these auditions as callbacks, you may be asked for additional readings at the audition. Unless otherwise requested, we will keep all auditioners in mind for all available roles. 

• A short movement section will be part of the audition, please wear comfortable clothing and shoes (dance shoes not required)

Video Auditions: Submissions are due by August 16 at 12pm via the Audition form. 

All positions are volunteer. A $300 travel stipend is available. 

Anon(ymous) Dates:
First rehearsal: March 16, 2026
Performances: April 17 - May 3, 2026

Pear Theatre places equity at the core of what we do. In order to fulfill our mission, we strive to share stories that represent the full spectrum of human experience. We consistently engage with our past and present missteps with regards to equity, and we commit to moving ourselves, our artists, our patrons, and our community toward a more equitable, just, and inclusive artistic world. The Pear Theatre is designed to be physically accessible to people with disabilities, and encourages all to audition.

We are actively seeking actors of all ethnicities and gender identities/expressions for all roles. While the descriptions below refer to the characters’ identities/expressions, all roles are open to actors of any/all identities and expressions who are comfortable portraying the characters as described.

Director’s Note: “America is a country of immigrants, whether or not we can trace back our ancestral roots. Even as we speak, people are being displaced in many parts of the world and xenophobia is weaponized under the current administration. While Anon(myous) centers on the immigrant experience, its universal themes of love, home, and belonging speaks to everyone. If you identify with any of these elements, I invite you to audition. This production will be done intimately in a round with a minimal set. I am hoping to assemble a versatile and movement-driven company of actors that reflects the diversity of the Bay Area, to help tell this powerful and timely story. Thank you for considering our production and I hope to see you at the audition.” - Vinh G. Nguyen

For questions, please contact: auditions@thepear.org

Anon(ymous) Synopsis: Naomi’s Iizuka’s Anon(ymous) is a contemporary reimagining of Homer’s classic The Odyssey. Separated from his mother in his war-torn homeland, a young refugee named Anon journeys through the United States, encountering a wide variety of people - some kind, some dangerous and cruel - as he searches for his family. Anon(ymous) explores ancient yet relevant themes of identity, coming-of-age, and the displacement of immigrants and refugees. The verbally stunning script showcases and requires a versatile, multi-generational, and culturally-diverse cast to help bring the story to life.

Anon(ymous) Character Descriptions:

Anon: (Age teens - 20’s) Our young protagonist. A refugee lost in the USA, searching for identity, home, and belonging. Wry, intelligent, and deeply emotional beneath a guarded exterior. Must carry the emotional weight of the play. Strong physical presence and dynamic range.

Nemasani: Anon’s mother. Grief-stricken yet enduring, she represents the maternal spirit of survival. A former seamstress who clings to hope, even after loss and trauma. Grounded, warm, and quietly powerful. Her scenes are emotionally charged, requiring deep vulnerability.

Ensemble: Anon(ymous) is an ensemble-driven piece, with many performers playing multiple roles, as described below. Strong characterization is a must, as the roles embody the range of characters from The Odyssey. Seeking 8-10 dynamic, diverse performers for a variety of featured roles. 

Naja: a goddess and Anon’s biggest support. She helps Anon on his quest to find himself and his mother. 

Mr. Yuri Mackus/Strygal: the manager at the sewing factory and Nemassani’s boss. He wants to marry Nemasani and aggressively pursues her. Same actor to play Strygal, a human traffic criminal who picks up Anon on the road.

Senator Laius/Zyclo/Nice American Father: Mr. Laius is the Senator of the US city, a figure of power and authority. Same actor will play Mr. Zyclo, a butcher that eats people; and the Nice American Father.

Mrs. Laius/Pet Bird/Nice American Mother: Mrs. Laius is the Senator’s wife. She shows interest in Nemasani’s story, but only to satisfy her morbid imagination. Same actor will play Mr. Zyclo’s pet bird, and the Nice American Mother.

Calista/Nice American Daughter/Sewing Lady #3: Calista is Anon’s adopted sister in the US. She is blinded by her privilege and proud of her rich, American background. Same actor will join the chorus of sewing ladies and play the Nice American daughter.

Ali/Ignacio: Ali is Nasreen’s father and Ritu’s husband who owns an Indian restaurant. Same actor will play Ignacio, the ghost of Belen’s father.

Nasreen/Belen/Sewing Lady #1: Nasreen is Ritu and Ali’s daughter. She becomes friends with Anon. Same actor will join the chorus of sewing ladies and play Belen, an immigrant and one of Anon’s friends.

Ritu/Serza/Sewing Lady #3: Ritu is Nasreen’s mother. She is married to Ali and is the co-owner of the restaurant. Same actor will join the chorus of sewing ladies and play Serza, the bartender at a roadside bar.

Pascal: Pascal is one of Anon’s friends. He is a young immigrant making it on his own. He is adventurous, care-free, and street smart.