"XO" CASTING

Non Union Production

Lead & Supporting Talent, Stage Play, "XO"

Various Roles, Original Stage Play @ WATZS (Dallas, TX)

Posting Date: March 11, 2026

Submission Deadline: June 11, 2026

Synopsis

Naomi Bennett, a gifted but stalled dreamer from Dallas South Side, is crushed by disappointment, family pressure, and the emotional residue of survival. When a sudden chance to go to Paris appears, she and her best friend Johanna take the risk. Abroad, Naomi meets Oakley Landon, a wealthy heir from a powerful New Orleans family, and their connection ignites a romance that forces both of them to confront identity, class, grief, ambition, and the systems that shaped them.

ROLES

Oakley Landon; Lead Role - African American - Male

Early–mid 30s
Heir to a powerful New Orleans family legacy. Sophisticated, disciplined, emotionally restrained but deeply thoughtful.

Chaz Landon; Supporting Lead Role - African American - Male

Late 20s–early 30s
Oakley’s younger brother. Charismatic, playful, rebellious, and hiding deeper emotional complexity.

Lawrence Chandler; Supporting Role - African American - Male

Early 30s–40s
Ambitious entrepreneur. Charming, opportunistic, socially fluid, and occasionally reckless.

Boston; Supporting Role - African American - Male

40s–60s
Trusted advisor and operational pillar of the Landon family empire. Quiet authority. Observant and deeply disciplined.

Oakley Sr.; Supporting Role - African American - Male

50s–70s
Patriarch of the Landon family. Powerful, strategic, emotionally controlled. Represents legacy, discipline, and generational

expectation.

Mrs. Bennett; Supporting Role - African American - Female

40s–60s
Naomi’s mother. Loving but burdened. Represents sacrifice, survival, and generational realism.

Young Naomi; Supporting Role - African American - Female

Age 10–12

Any minor selected for a role must be accompanied by their legal parent or guardian at all times while on set. Working hours will strictly follow all child labor laws and will be limited to the legally permitted hours for minors.

Teen Naomi; Supporting Role - African American - Female

Age 16–18

Mrs. Bloomfield; Supporting Role - Caucasian - Female

40's-50's

Cynical school counselor.

Ensemble / Supporting Roles (Multiple Needed) - All Ethnicities - Male & Female

24's -44's

We are casting multiple performers for ensemble roles, including but not limited to:

Waitstaff, Hostess, Maitre D’
Call Center Employees
Featured Background & Scene-Building Roles

Actors should be adaptable, professional, and capable of contributing to the pacing, tone, and realism of each scene. All ensemble performers are expected to maintain the same level of professionalism, presence, and commitment as principal cast members.

Project Details

This is a non-union production.
Submissions must come directly from the talent themselves. We do not accept submissions through third parties, including agents or managers.
The stage play will premiere over two days February 20-21, 2027 in Dallas, TX.
The opportunity includes a travel budget for non local talent (round trip domestic flight, hotel accommodations in Dallas, TX, ground transportation in Dallas, TX to and from set ).
Rate $250.00 - $1,000.00 per performance night.
The opportunity requires rehearsals and intensive workshops for stage play preparation and character chemistry. All rehearsals and workshops are compensated.
This production is seeking to align itself with actors and actresses who are serious creative professionals.

ABOUT WATZS

WATZS Productions is a Dallas, Texas–based media house dedicated to producing exceptional visual storytelling with a strong emphasis on diversity, cultural authenticity, and meaningful narratives. Our mission is to share powerful stories that center Black American and minority characters while challenging outdated norms and harmful stereotypes that have historically shaped mainstream media.

Led by Black women as double minorities in the media industry, WATZS Productions is committed to creating high-quality, thoughtful content that reflects the depth, complexity, and brilliance of the communities we serve. Our work prioritizes storytelling that is intentional, culturally grounded, and artistically compelling.

WATZS Productions is also the global media entity behind the television drama series Frame of Reference, currently streaming to audiences worldwide on Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Prime Video. Through that project, the company established its digital programming footprint and demonstrated its ability to develop independent stories that reach millions of viewers across major streaming platforms.

With the debut of "XO", WATZS Productions enters the world of live theater for the first time, expanding our storytelling beyond the screen and into a shared audience experience. This theatrical debut represents an exciting new chapter in our creative journey as we continue to build powerful narratives across television, film, and now the stage.