Event Casting Starts Soon – What You Need to Know!

by | May 21, 2026 | Casting, Volunteers

UPDATED 05/21/26: Interested in joining the Halcy-Con 3 cast? Applications open Friday, May 22!

We have seven story Paths (or “Factions”) using a Mission-based framework to keep groups manageable and interactions meaningful for all attendees who “play”. Each 3-hour Mission is capped to a manageable number of participants per run, and missions for all Paths/Factions are run concurrently and repeat multiple times with story-driven variations. The Path/Faction and Mission system is designed to be fun, learnable and able to be performed without excessive memorization (you will NOT need to remember two full days of specific dialogue).

What to Expect

  • Step 1 – Application: We will post a simple casting application on the halcy-con.com website on May 22. Applications will remain open for two weeks. We are targeting June 30 for delivering casting confirmations.
  • Step 2 – Casting: We will review all applications with the Event Team and our show partners. We may request a Zoom call with applicants. There are a limited number of performance roles, and we will NOT be able to cast everyone.
  • Step 3 – Faction Team Meetings: Between Casting and the Event, there will be scheduled virtual Team Meetings with updates on show/story elements & Faction Missions.
  • Step 4 – Pre-Event Comms: In the months leading up to the show, attendees will be introduced to the various show characters and emerging path stories via in-universe videos & emails.
  • Step 5 – ALL performers in Faction Lead roles MUST arrive onsite at the venue by 10am EST on Wed Oct 14. Onsite rehearsal time is limited, make the most of it!

Event Cast Positions

  • Faction Lead – Each Faction will have two (2) Leads that will work as a team. The Faction Leads will run and coordinate Missions, manage flow, and serve as the main point of Faction contact on the floor.
    • PLEASE NOTE REGARDING AVAILABLE LEAD ROLES:
      • We specifically wrote the Slicer Faction storyline with two individuals in mind to play the Slicer Leads roles, both of whom were available and enthusiastically jumped right in! Supporting characters for the Slicer Faction are still available.
      • The Lead roles for the Saja and Dark Saja require highly specific skills and experience, and are thrilled that our first choices for these roles were very excited to participate. Supporting characters for the Saja and Dark Saja Factions are still available.
      • In addition to the previously announced roles, we will be casting two Leads for Starship Engineers! This non-Faction role will be used in a number of places, but based primarily in the Engineering Room, helping groups of Mission participants through a set of…unexpected circumstances.
  • Supporting Cast – Supporting characters that attendees must interact with to advance Missions; you will sustain a persona across the event and will be a contact on one or more Factions.
  • Roamers – Assist the Faction Leads and Supporting Cast by helping to keep the event spaces feeling “alive” and in-universe. Roamers are not required to be attached to a specific Faction. These are “flavor” characters that add short interactions and character moments on the floor.
  • Note: There will also be two types of Event Volunteers at Halcy-Con 3:
    • 1) Volunteers assisting with Event setup and teardown will still be known as the mission-critical “Teal Team”.
    • 2) Volunteers during show hours will be IN-UNIVERSE and have a fun and engaging presence in the show areas as “CSL Security” for the Starship Aurora and Port of Call. While not technically part of the cast, CSL Security Volunteers will absolutely be additive to the experience.
    • Volunteering is a great fit for attendees who want to contribute without the larger time commitment that being part of the cast requires! Volunteer applications will open in Q3 2026.

Cast Requirements / Notes

  • Prior performance experience is welcomed, but NOT required.
  • Faction Leads will not be able to experience the event like an attendee. Immersion starts as soon as attendees walk into the Port of Call. When a Faction Lead “steps on stage” they don’t stop until the end of the main Finale on Saturday.
  • You need a solid commitment to the time needed. The time commitment starts as soon as you join the cast. You will be engaged in Faction meetings, recorded character vignettes, story/mission collaboration and much more leading up to the event along with the time requirements of the event itself.
  • Faction Lead performers must be onsite at the venue for rehearsals/walkthroughs no later than 10am on Wednesday, October 14.
  • You will need physical endurance for the required performance times. Like previous “voyages”, being “on” for two+ days is a marathon – physically, emotionally and mentally.
  • You must have the ability to work under pressure and be adaptable to quickly changing conditions. Anything can and will happen, but the show must go on!
  • You must be able to quickly and clearly communicate story points and instructions to several attendees simultaneously, while keeping event activities running on schedule.
  • Faction Leads must effectively manage and guide event attendees. You must be able to enforce mission and event rules (including telling people “no,” even friends) in a friendly but firm manner. This is required to maintain Mission participation caps, late-entry boundaries, etc. We will be able to provide in-universe sample scripts of ways to help do this effectively.
  • You must be willing to collaborate AND take direction. The event only works if we’re all working together (as one), but there are many story, legal, and operational considerations that the Event Team must constantly evaluate, prioritize and work within. While we request and welcome your input and ideas, the Event Team’s final decisions must be carried out to the best of your ability.
  • You must reliably keep Event secrets under wraps until the reveals happen at the event. Loose lips sink starships!
  • You have to be someone that others want to work closely and creatively with for several months. No boat sinks faster than a showboat. Drama is for onstage, not backstage.
  • Our North Star for the cast and Event Team is simple: PLAY LIKE A KID, ACT LIKE AN ADULT. We are all in this for fun, volunteering our time and resources to create something truly special together. There will be more people interested than we have roles for. We will make the best choices possible to put on the best show possible.

Application and Casting Process

  • The application will ask if you wish to use a character you have previously created for Starcruiser or other fan events. Please remember that all show cast (in any role) must follow canonical rules (i.e. the only surviving Jedi at this point in the timeline is Rey, so a cast member playing a Jedi character would break canon).
  • The application will ask if you have a specific role type (Faction Lead, Supporting Character, Roamer) that you applying for, or if you would consider any of the available roles.
  • Flexibility is an asset while applying for a role. The more restrictions that an applicant places on what roles, Factions and characters they are willing to perform at the show, the fewer options that will exist to cast that applicant.
  • Some applicants may be asked for a short Zoom chat/line readings with the Event Managers and Event Team. The process is intended to be friendly and straightforward and will be useful to see how applicants perform in front of multiple people while being filmed. It’s very rewarding but harder than it looks!

We continue to be grateful for everyone’s continued trust in this Event Team and enthusiasm for Halcy-Con!