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!