Inkwell Arts and Learning Seeks Actors for Outdoor “Wuthering Heights”

Inkwell Arts and Learning, in collaboration with The Morton Arboretum, is now casting actors ages 12 and up for an outdoor walking play adaptation of Wuthering Heights, based on Emily Brontë’s classic novel and adapted by Alyssa Frewen.

Directed by Lara Filip, with assistance from Emily Sherman, this unique theatrical production will invite audiences to experience the haunting world of Wuthering Heights while walking through different outdoor locations along a planned route.

About the Production

Wuthering Heights is a dramatic adaptation of Emily Brontë’s beloved gothic novel. The story follows intense love, betrayal, revenge, grief, and generational conflict across the Earnshaw and Linton families.

This production will be presented as a walking play, meaning audiences will move from location to location to watch different scenes unfold. Actors should be comfortable performing outdoors, engaging with the environment, and creating a strong sense of connection with both castmates and audience members.

Talent Application

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Production Team

🎭 Company Executive Producer / Director: Lara Filip
🎭 Associate Director / Producer: Emily Sherman
🎭 Artistic Director / Adaptation: Alyssa Frewen
🎭 Intimacy / Violence Direction: Kira Nutter
🎭 Artist Advocate Deputy: Courtney Abbott

Casting Details

The production is seeking actors to portray a wide range of layered and emotionally complex characters. All roles will be understudied.

📍 Production: Wuthering Heights
🏢 Company: Inkwell Arts and Learning, in collaboration with The Morton Arboretum
🌳 Location: The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL
🎬 Category: Theatre / Performer
💰 Pay: Stipend
👥 Seeking: Actors ages 12+

Adult Roles

Nelly Dean

Age range: Mid-20s to early 40s
Nelly is an intelligent, observant, and practical narrator, though not always fully reliable. Raised alongside Cathy, Heathcliff, and Hindley, she serves both the Earnshaw and Linton families and plays a larger role in the story than she admits.

Cathy Earnshaw

Age range: Early 20s
Cathy is spirited, headstrong, emotional, and deeply conflicted. She shares an intense childhood bond with Heathcliff but is later torn between passion and social security.
Note: This role is cast; seeking understudy.

Heathcliff

Age range: Early 20s to late 30s
Seeking: BIPOC actor
Heathcliff is an orphan brought to Wuthering Heights as a child. Passionate, loyal, wounded, and driven by love and revenge, he transforms from an outsider into a powerful and troubled landowner.

Hindley Earnshaw

Age range: Early 20s to early 40s
Hindley is Cathy’s older brother. His jealousy and resentment toward Heathcliff grow into cruelty and abuse after he inherits Wuthering Heights.
Note: This role is cast; seeking understudy.

Edgar Linton

Age range: Early 20s to early 40s
Edgar is a refined and wealthy gentleman from Thrushcross Grange. He is kind, gentle, and deeply devoted to his family.

Isabella Linton

Age range: Early 20s
Isabella is Edgar’s younger sister. Sheltered and romantic, her innocence leads her into a painful and destructive marriage with Heathcliff.
Note: This role is cast; seeking understudy.

Young Artist Roles

Because the story explores mature themes, the production is seeking young performers ages 12 and up for the following roles.

Young Cathy

Plays: Ages 8–12
Mischievous, adventurous, caring, and strong-willed, Young Cathy forms a close friendship with Heathcliff after he arrives at Wuthering Heights.

Young Heathcliff

Plays: Ages 8–12
Seeking: BIPOC actor
Young Heathcliff is mysterious, resilient, stubborn, and fiercely loyal to Cathy. He is happiest exploring the moors with her.

Young Hindley / Hareton Earnshaw

Plays: Mid-to-late teens / late teens
Young Hindley is jealous of Heathcliff and often bullies him. The actor will also play Hareton Earnshaw, Hindley’s son, whose rough exterior hides a good heart.

Young Nelly / Catherine Linton

Plays: Mid-to-late teens / late teens
Young Nelly is a servant in the Earnshaw household and a childhood companion to Hindley, Cathy, and Heathcliff. The actor will also play Catherine Linton, the daughter of Cathy Earnshaw and Edgar Linton.

Young Edgar / Linton Heathcliff

Plays: Ages 8–12
Young Edgar is a pampered and well-behaved boy from Thrushcross Grange. The actor will also play Linton Heathcliff, the unhappy and sickly son of Isabella Linton and Heathcliff.

Young Isabella / Young Catherine Linton

Plays: Ages 8–12
Young Isabella is sensitive and sheltered. The actor will also play Young Catherine Linton, a curious and lonely girl eager to experience the world beyond her home.

Pay

Selected performers will receive a stipend for the full rehearsal and performance commitment.

💰 Adult roles: $300 stipend
💰 Young artist roles: $100 stipend

The stipend includes all rehearsals and performances. Shows canceled due to weather or by the arboretum will still be paid. Cast members will also have two paid sick days available.

Rehearsal and Performance Schedule

📅 Rehearsals: Saturdays and Sundays beginning August 8
📍 Location: The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL

The production team will do its best to accommodate agreed-upon rehearsal conflicts. Actors with scheduling limitations are still encouraged to submit and include their availability.

📅 Performances: Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 PM
📌 Performance Dates: September 19 – October 25
📍 Location: The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL

How to Apply

Interested actors should complete the online submission form by:

📌 Deadline: July 6 at 11:59 PM

Applicants should submit a monologue of their choice that is appropriate for the piece. Heightened language is preferred. Actors should also include any rehearsal or performance conflicts.

Apply online:
forms.gle/kDDeu4Qr61bVfWBr5

For questions, email:
inkwellartscasting@gmail.com

Final Thoughts

This production of Wuthering Heights offers actors a unique chance to perform in an immersive outdoor theatre experience at The Morton Arboretum. For performers who enjoy emotionally rich characters, classic literature, ensemble storytelling, and site-specific theatre, this could be a wonderful opportunity to join a bold and atmospheric stage production.