NATCHEZ — The next Tom Cruise or Cameron Diaz could be just down the street, waiting to be discovered.

And Natchez residents will get the chance to find out next Saturday when a producer holds auditions for an upcoming film.

The small independent film will be set just before the Civil War, city media liaison Sally Durkin said Friday.

Producer Bruce Bridegroom and director Jason Urban hope to cast most of the parts locally, Durkin said.

“They would like people to have acting experience, whether on camera or through Little Theatre or school plays,” Durkin said. “Just some acting experience, but it’s not necessary.”

But before you shout, “lights, camera, action,” wait. Auditions are by appointment.

To set up an appointment time, call 601-446-6345 no later than Wednesday.

The producers have already scoped out possible filming locations, including the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Emerald Mound, Durkin said.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement by an independent Alabama production company that they will film a Bonnie and Clyde film in the Miss-Lou in the coming months.

There was a time that Natchez played host to studios filming on location, and Durkin wants to re-invigorate the industry’s interest here.

Small films like this one play an integral role in creating a recent filming history for Natchez and enticing larger companies.

“We’re at a point where Natchez has got to get back on the production map,” Durkin said. “We want to make sure that every film production company that comes to Natchez, whether it’s a huge studio film or a small independent film, that they all get the royal treatment.”

The following are parts the producers hope to fill:

Anne Carroll: white female, 12 years old, long reddish brown hair

Leah: black female, 12 years old

Mary Carroll: white female, 10 years old, long blonde hair

Charles Carroll: white Male, 80 years old, alert

Millie: black female, about 40 years old, refined house servant

Escapee slave: black male, about 35 yrs., rugged looking

William MacArthur: young blonde naval officer, about 35 years old

Stephen A. Douglas: white male, about 45 years old, 5’ 4” roughly, big head and big voice

John Nicolay: white male, about 30 years old, slim with dark beard

Robert LaForest: white male, 35 to 55 years old, scruffy-looking

Edward Stanton: white male, about 50 years old, medium build, beard but no mustache

Simon Cameron: white male, about 50, slim

Mrs. John Breckenridge: white female, approximately 45

Three African-Americans to play slaves at Jefferson Davis’ home

Women at biscuit party: need eight white females ages 25 to 40

Union doctor: white male 30 to 40 years old

Lucinda Scott: white female

Willie Lincoln: Abraham’s son, white male, about 12 years old

Tad Lincoln: Abe’s son, white male, about 10 years old

Robert Lincoln: Abe’s son, about 18 years old, about 6 ft, whispy moustache

Lizzie Lecky: light-skinned black female, about 45 years old

Speaker of the House: white male, about 55 years old

Roscoe Conklin: white male, about 55 years old, small build, clean-shaven

Matthew Brady: white male, about 45 years old, tall, thick black beard

Gen. John McClerdon: white male, about 45, dark brown beard with connecting sideburns if possible.

Three reporters: white males, between 30 and 40 years old

Soldier bearing letter: white male, about 25 years old

Soldiers: 15 to 20 white males, ages 18 to 35

General George McClellan: Non-speaking role, 5’ 6” or close, handsome, black moustache

Senator Wilson: white male, about 45 years old, clean-shaven

Senator Williams: about 50 years old, clean-shaven