Leslie

About the Job

Leslie is a young Latina girl, cautious yet feisty, with a vivid imagination and a deep bond with her beloved teddy bear, Theodore. Afraid not simply of the dark but of what might be hiding within it, Nena relies on Theodore for comfort as she navigates the frightening shadows beyond the safety of her bedroom. Over the course of the story, Nena must move from vulnerability and fear to quiet determination when Theodore is left alone at the end of the hallway. Though terrified, her love for him becomes stronger than her fear, giving her the courage to confront the Creature standing in her way. This is a performance-heavy lead role requiring a young actor with strong emotional instincts, natural dialogue delivery, and especially expressive nonverbal reactions. The performer must convincingly communicate fear, imagination, tenderness, curiosity, determination, and ultimately newfound confidence. Nena's transformation is subtle: she does not simply stop being afraid, she discovers that she can act bravely while still being afraid. Her final confrontation with the Creature is played with unexpected calm and politeness rather than aggression. Seeking a Latina performer who can convincingly portray approximately 4–5 years old. Open to a younger-looking 6-year-old. Previous acting experience preferred due to the amount of dialogue and emotional range required. Strong expressive eyes, listening skills, imagination, and the ability to take direction are especially important.