[NEohioPAL] AUDITIONS: Arsenic and Old Lace at Aurora Community Theatre

[Christopher M Bizub]

Aurora Community Theatre is excited to announce…


AUDITIONS

for

Arsenic and Old Lace

by Joseph Kesselring
Directed by Chris Bizub


PERFORMANCE DATES:

Jan 26 - Feb 17, 2024

Fri & Sat 7:30pm

AUDITION DATES:
Sunday, October 8th, 2023 - 7pm-10pm

Thursday, October 12th, 2023 - 7pm-10pm


CALLBACKS:

Saturday, October 14th, 2023 – 12pm-3pm [if needed]


WHAT TO PREP:

  *   Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script.
  *   Please bring a current headshot/theatrical resume
  *   Please bring a list of conflicts from December 1st, 2023 – February 17th, 2024
AUDITION/PERFORMANCE LOCATION:
Aurora Community Theatre
115 E. Pioneer Trail,
Aurora, OH 44202


CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Any age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, body type, abilities, or other identities are encouraged to audition and will be considered equally in character casting, unless directly specified by the playwright as integral to their story. Age/age ranges, genders, and descriptions, if listed, are recommendations by the script but are flexible to interpretation. No roles for this production have been precast unless otherwise stated in marketing announcements regarding the auditions.

Mortimer Brewster (Male, 30s-40s) - Nephew of Abby and Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. A very likable, Mortimer is a drama critic who is in love with, & engaged to Elaine Harper. A good-hearted cynic who is about to have his world turned upside down. PHYSICAL ROLE. Special Note: The actor who plays this role must be comfortable to utterly “LET GO.” Mortimer controls the show. From the discovery of the first body, Mortimer must be electrified. He carries that energy all the way through the show. Physical comedy, perfection of timing in dialog delivery, likability in presence, and an ability to display agility in navigating the rapidly changing circumstances of each scene, absolutely necessary.



Abby Brewster (Female, 50s-70s) - A darling lady, and the very model of Victorian charm and grace, who poisons elderly gentlemen, with her sister as an act of charity. She and her sister Martha seem to be the absolute embodiment of the values and polite society of a bygone age. More dominant, and a bit older than Martha, both ladies are happy, healthy, lucid, and spry. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Martha Brewster (Female, 50s-70s) - Very sweet, but more submissive than Abby, Martha still is a strong woman. She and her sister have lived together for many, many years. Their personalities and pecking order around each other have been firmly rooted for eons. Always wears a high collar. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Elaine Harper (Female, 25-40) - An Attractive girl, daughter of Rev. Dr. Harper, and Mortimer’s fiancée. She is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister’s daughter. She is a little bit wily, sassy, and absolutely sharp (Actor seeking this role will need to show genuine zest and spunk. She will also need to display a wonderful sense of versatility.) We witness Elaine progress from casual happiness, to utter bliss, to twisted confusion, to stark fear, to godsend relief, and back to casual happiness again.

Jonathan Brewster (Male, 30s-60s) - Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, brother to Teddy and Mortimer. Jonathan is a psychopath who has numerous murders to his credit and no scruples whatsoever. He is creepy. Jonathan is a killer, that loves his business and he’s got an unbelievably short temper. Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan’s face three times, currently resulting in a Boris Karloff resemblance (to which he is a bit sensitive.) (Some PHYSICAL work).

Dr. Einstein (Male, 40s-50s) - A German plastic surgeon, with an accent to prove it. Right hand to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein is mousey and submissive to Jonathan. Einstein should be viewed as a good guy whose life has gone bad. The audience truly has to sympathize with this guy. With somewhat of a ratty appearance, his face wears the benevolent smirk of a man who lives in a pleasant haze of alcohol.



Teddy Brewster (Male, 30s-60s) - Very likable, kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy is a man who believes that he is the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Extreme dedication and energy is necessary while charging up a flight of stairs and screaming “CHARGE!” (PHYSICAL ROLE).

The Reverend Dr. Harper (Male, 50s-70s) - We only see Elaine Harper’s father in the opening scene; a doctor of divinity, and the minister to the church next door to the Brewster house. The Brewster sisters have seen many ministers come and go over the years, but they seem to be particularly fond of Dr. Harper and vice versa. The actor portraying Dr. Harper should display a sense of polish, refinement, and mild-mannered sensitivity towards others. He is not in favor of Mortimer and Elaine’s relationship. (Will likely be doubled with another character)

Officer Brophy (Male, 20s-40s) - The first police officer we meet in the show, Brophy is a thoroughly likable sort of fellow. Is making his rounds collecting Christmas toys for the needy. (Some PHYSICAL work, will likely be doubled with another character).

Officer Klein (Male, 20s-40s) - A flatfoot Brooklyn officer who makes his rounds with Officer Brophy collecting Christmas toys. (Will likely be doubled with another character)


Officer O’Hara (Male, 20s-50s) - He is the quintessential example of an Irish-American police officer: Full of life, good natured and played big. He is on very good terms with the Aunts. O’Hara is a would-be playwright, and needs to plainly display the nagging, persistent drive that’s kindled within him once he discovers that Mortimer is a famous dramatic critic. Well intentioned, O’Hara really doesn’t mean to come across as annoying as he does.

Mr. Gibbs (50s-80s) - An elderly gentleman who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters; and nearly falls victim to the sisters “charity”. He is a little gruff, but he warms up fairly quickly upon being offered a treat he hasn’t had since he was a child. (Will likely be doubled with another character)

Lieutenant Rooney (Male, 40s-50s) - The man in charge at the local police precinct. Very early in the show we gain a pretty strong understanding of the caliber of men he has to manage under his watch. As such, he has very little patience for blunder and mistakes, and needs to run a pretty tight ship. He is loud, decisive, and clearly in-charge of every situation in which he finds himself. (Will likely be doubled with another character)

Mr. Witherspoon (Male, 50s-60s years old or able to Play age) - The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind. (Will likely be doubled with another character)



OTHER DETAILS:

Aurora Community Theatre is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. All actors cast are strictly volunteers. No AEA Contract(s) available.

If you have any questions or would like to audition for this production, but are unable to attend regular auditions, please contact the director at cmb164 at 1870.uakron.edu<mailto:cmb164 at 1870.uakron.edu>.  Also feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding the production.


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