Auditions: The Miss Firecracker Contest

​

Cahaba Theatre Group invites performers to audition for our upcoming production of The Miss Firecracker Contest by Beth Henley, directed by Dane Peterson.

 

This production will be presented as a lightly theatricalized staged reading on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at The Dance Foundation in Homewood.

​

Set in Brookhaven, Mississippi, during the days leading up to the Fourth of July, The Miss Firecracker Contest follows Carnelle Scott, a determined young woman hoping to transform her life by winning the local Miss Firecracker beauty pageant. Filled with unforgettable characters, sharp humor, and surprising tenderness, this modern Southern classic remains one of Beth Henley's most beloved plays.

​

Audition Information

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Homewood Public Library

​

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No prepared monologue is required.

Performers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to audition.

​

Character Breakdown

Carnelle Scott (Female, 20s)

A hopeful and determined young woman seeking a fresh start. Earnest, emotional, funny, and resilient.

Popeye Jackson (Female, 20s)

A quirky seamstress with a vivid imagination and a kind heart. Awkward, sincere, and unexpectedly charming.

Elain Rutledge (Female, 30s–40s)

Carnelle's beautiful cousin and former Miss Firecracker winner. Sophisticated, elegant, and quietly dissatisfied with her seemingly perfect life.

Delmount Williams (Male, late 20s–40s)

Carnelle's cousin. Charismatic, unpredictable, poetic, and emotionally complex. A dreamer with a troubled past.

Mac Sam (Male, 30s–50s)

A warm-hearted local businessman with a history with Carnelle. Genuine, grounded, and compassionate.

Tessy Mahoney (Female, 20s–40s)

The enthusiastic coordinator of the Miss Firecracker Contest. Organized, energetic, and delightfully devoted to pageant tradition.

 

Performance

Sunday, August 16, 2026
The Dance Foundation – Homewood, Alabama

 

Questions? Contact Cahaba Theatre Group through our website or social media channels.