[NEohioPAL] Olde Towne Hall Theatre's "Wait Until Dark" Auditions with Character Breakdown (Updated)

[Lisa Carter via NEohioPAL]

Olde Towne Hall Theatre is pleased to announce their first show for the
2015-2016 season, "Wait Until Dark." This is a suspenseful thriller,
directed by John Schneider.

The play, written by Frederick Knott, is about When Sam Hendrix. After a
flight home, he returns with a doll he innocently acquired along the way.
As it turns out, the doll is actually stuffed with heroin, and a group of
criminals led by the ruthless Roat, has followed Hendrix back to his place
to retrieve it. When Hendrix leaves for business, the crooks make their
move -- and find his blind wife, Susy, alone in the apartment. Soon, a
life-threatening game between Susy and the thugs ensues!
Auditions will be held at the Olde Towne Hall Theatre, 36119 North
Ridgeville, Ohio 44039 on Sunday, August 23rd from 2-4 pm and on Monday,
August 24th from 7-9 pm.



*Character Breakdown for “Wait Until Dark”*

SUSAN, late twenties to mid-thirties. Recently blind—is doing her best to
survive in a newly dark world. She’s also doing her best to keep a marriage
together that may not have the strongest foundation. Endearing but never
helpless—an independent spirit whose cleverness is her best weapon in a
frightening situation. Need a strong theatre actress with a timeless
quality interested in building a highly detailed portrayal of someone
struggling with new blindness.

ROAT, thirties to fifties. An unknowable criminal from the underbelly of
New York. He keeps everything about himself secret. Perhaps an old wound or
deformity has kept him out of World War 2, but he mostly keeps that hidden
from us. An exceptional actor, Roat takes on several roles throughout the
story—young suffering husband dealing with a philandering wife, older
father of the same cuckolded husband, and the mysterious organizer of this
plan to reclaim a strange, yet priceless doll. Roat is at times charming,
at other times frightening. A sadist and a control freak, he is a natural
leader of lost souls. Need a chameleon-like theatre actor who is believable
living in NYC of the 1940’s. Can be tall or short, of any type, but capable
of dominating the stage with a cool, unforced sense of danger.

LT MIKE TALMAN, mid 30s to mid 40s. A war friend of Susan’s husband. The
kind of man who inspires trust without trying to; dependable and decent. He
finds himself helping his friend’s wife and ends up involved in something
far more complex and frightening than he anticipated. Or so we think.
Really a master con man, he’s the third member of Roat’s gang, bent on
reclaiming a doll containing something very valuable and very dangerous.
But he’s having a crisis of conscience—he likes Susan and isn’t sure he can
follow through with the plan. Believable in period New York of the 1940s.

CARLINO, 40s to 50s. He fills a room literally and figuratively—a large man
with a large personality. Carlino is recently out of jail and the
experience wasn’t great—he’s anxious to get back on his feet and Roat’s
plan affords him a chance for some quick cash. He doesn’t trust his new
partner but he doesn’t have a choice. Though slightly paranoid and a little
brusque, he’s a survivor and good at his job, which is convincing people
he’s someone else entirely—a dependable, but overworked member of the New
York police force. Believable in period New York of the 1940s.

GLORIA, 12-14 (or young-looking 15). Smart beyond her years and lost in
that no man’s land of adolescence, somewhere between a girl and a woman.
Her home life is tough—dad is long gone and mom isn’t too dependable. She
is independent, prone to jealousy, and desperate to be taken seriously by
the adult world. She has a crush on Sam and resents his wife Susan just for
existing even as she makes a little money helping the blind wife get by.
But Gloria doesn’t shy away from danger (seems to relish the adventure of
it actually) and proves she cares a lot more than she lets on. Believable
in period New York of the 1940s.

SAM, 30s. Susan’s husband. A war veteran who met Susan while recovering
from post-traumatic stress. He’s a photographer trying to make his way in
the world after the war. He’s a survivor and unwilling to entertain
thoughts of self-pity, either for himself or Susan. He’s determined that
they’ll make it in the world, despite both of their wounds (his on the
inside, hers on the out). But this fierce focus might be pushing his wife
away. Busy and on the move, he may see less of what’s happening in front of
him than Susan does. Believable in period New York of the 1940s.  (Lead)

POLICEMEN-Two policemen come in at the very end of the play. Either male or
female, but both policeman should be very trusted characters, self-assured,
and reassuring

Be prepared to fill out a form listing previous acting experience, contact
information, and any scheduling conflicts. Theater resumes are optional. Be
prepared to be there for the entire audition time, as you will be reading
portions of the script yourself, and with other potential cast members.
Most of all, have fun!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the theater at
440-327-2909.
*Lisa L. Carter*
elprofecarter at gmail.com
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