Calling All Maine Actors: Students At Husson University Auditioning For Stephen King Short Film, ‘Willa’ This Week

Students from Husson University are putting together a short film and they're looking for some local talent to star in the movie.

The video workshop class at affiliated with the University's New England School of Communication, led by Franklin Welch, the Program Coordinator for the Video and Film department is shooting an adaptation of Stephen King's short story, "Willa."

As described on the Stephen King website, "Willa" was first published in the 2006 edition of Playboy Magazine, and two years later, as part of a collection of short stories called "Just After Sunset."

Read More: Exploring Bangor: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Stephen King

"A group of travelers has found themselves stranded in a railroad station waiting for a train that never seems to come to replace the one they had been traveling in.   David Sanderson realizes that his fiancé, Willa, is not at the station and follows her to the nearby town.  He finds her at a local honky-tonk but when it seems that the other patrons of the establishment are not just ignoring them, an awareness of their situation begins to come over him."

A casting call for the student-led production is taking place this week.

"The casting call is for actors ages 20 and up for 10 roles as well as extras. Auditions will be held in the Gracie Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 5-7pm and on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 12-2pm... It is expected to begin the week of October 7 and will take about five weeks."

All parts are unpaid and voluntary. There are roles for both men and women ranging in age from about 20 to about 50+, and a role for one female child.

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We're told the the final project will not only will the students be able to use the production on their demo reels, it will also be featured on the Husson University affiliated YouTube channel. The class also hopes to enter the finished short in film festivals.

If this is sounds like it's up your alley, you can email the productions at WillaHusson2025@gmail.com or you can click here to apply online.