Dear Performers,
Are you ready to flip reality upside down? Above Ground Aerial is thrilled to announce a casting call for The Upside Down – an aerial arts tribute to the iconic world of Stranger Things! This production combines gravity-defying performances with the gripping stories and unforgettable characters from Hawkins, Indiana.
Whether you're a seasoned aerialist or new to the studio, we invite everyone with a passion for storytelling to audition. You don’t need to currently take classes at Above Ground Aerial—or have ever taken classes with us—to audition. We’re welcoming performers from all backgrounds and studios to join this exciting production!
Show Requirements & Key Dates
Rehearsals begin in early January. Missing more than 3 rehearsals may result in dismissal from the show.
Cast members will receive a discount code for unlimited classes from January through May.
Cast members must be available for the following required dates:
📌 April 4th: Act I First Dress Rehearsal
📌 April 5th: Act II First Dress Rehearsal
📌 April 19th: Final Dress Rehearsal (BOTH ACTS)
📌 April 25th-27th: Show DatesFriday, April 25th: Evening performance
Saturday, April 26th: Afternoon and evening performances
Sunday, April 27th: Afternoon performance
Cast members are responsible for providing their own costumes, which must be approved by the Show Directors.
A $50 fee is required to cover the cost of the photographer and videographer for the production. This fee ensures high-quality documentation of the performance, and all cast members will receive a media package of photos and videos captured during the show
Audition Details & How to Apply:
Please complete and submit the Stranger Things Casting Form. If you're not sure what your skill level is, please reach out to your instructor.
If you are not a student at Above Ground Aerial, or you are seeking a role above your current level, please clarify on the form in the "Is there any other information that you would like us to know?" box, and we will set up an audition for you.
Forms need to be submitted by January 2, 2025.
Auditions will need to occur by January 15, 2025.
Available Roles:
We’re casting aerialists and performers to embody the beloved (and feared) characters of Stranger Things, each with specific character descriptions and skill level requirements:
Eleven (Level 3/4): A telekinetic girl discovering her powers. Brave, compassionate, and strong.
Mike Wheeler (Level 2+): Loyal and optimistic, a true leader and protector.
Dustin Henderson: The tech genius with endearing humor and inventiveness.
Lucas Sinclair (Level 2+): Skeptical yet brave, a protective figure for his sister.
Will Byers (Level 3/4): Sensitive and artistic, shaped by supernatural trauma.
Max Mayfield (Level 3/4): Rebellious and independent, a fearless skater girl.
Erica Sinclair (Level 2+): Sarcastic, bold, and unapologetically confident.
Nancy Wheeler (Level 2+): Determined and courageous, evolving into a fearless investigator.
Jonathan Byers (Level 2+): Protective and introverted, with a passion for art and family.
Steve Harrington (Level 2+): From jock to hero, a lovable protector of the group.
Robin Buckley (Level 2+): Quirky, witty, and a sharp thinker.
Jim Hopper (Level 3/4): The gruff but kind-hearted Chief of Police with a protective nature.
Joyce Byers (Level 3/4): Fiercely determined, a relentless problem-solver.
Murray Bauman (Level 2+): Eccentric yet resourceful, a key ally.
Villains:
Dr. Brenner (“Papa”) (Level 2+): A manipulative scientist with ambiguous morals.
Demogorgons (Level 1+): Menacing creatures from the Upside Down.
Mind Flayer (Level 2/3+): A dark, malevolent entity from another dimension.
The Russians (Level 1+): Soldiers and scientists with sinister motives.
Vecna (Level 3/4): A chilling, powerful antagonist with a complex backstory.
Kids:
Additionally, we’re casting “Papa’s Kids in the Lab” (Level 1+), showcasing unique psychic and supernatural talents!
If you are a performer with non-aerial skills and would like to be a part of the show, we would love for you to apply as well. We're open to actors, dancers, hula hoopers, jugglers, fire dancers & eaters, or anyone with other performance talents to help bring this exciting production to life.
Step Into the Upside Down:
This aerial tribute to Stranger Things will bring the supernatural, the suspense, and the heart of Hawkins to life like never before. From battling Demogorgons to defying gravity, this is your chance to join a production that’s as thrilling as it is extraordinary.
Let’s turn the world Upside Down together. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
Best,
The Above Ground Aerial Team