Audition Notice for Gates Mills Players’ radio play production of “The Birds”

Based on the acclaimed classic film The Birds, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this production will be performed in July at Gates Mills Players in the style of a 1940s radio play. Actors will be seated on stage and sound effects will be produced live during the show using props! The show will also feature “advertisements” for 1940s products and services, read by two of the actors. 

AUDITIONS will be held at 1460 Chagrin River Road in Gates Mills from 6:00-8:00PM on April 28th (Gates Mills Players or by request only) and April 30th (general public invited). If necessary, callbacks will be held by invitation only from 6:00-8:00PM on May 1st. No appointments are required for auditions unless you wish to attend on April 28th. Please arrive at 6PM on your audition day prepared to read selections from the script. Bring a list of conflicts between July 1st and July 26th as well as  headshot and resume, if you have one.

PERFORMANCES are scheduled for July 25th and 26th at 7PM.

REHEARSALS will be held during the 2-3 weeks leading up to the performances, typically during weekday nights.

This show will be a fun, low-commitment opportunity for any actor looking for the challenge of using their voice to tell this classic story!

Please contact the director, Cameron Zona, with any questions at cameronzona@gmail.com

Cast of Characters

Radio Characters (Trans-Atlantic Dialects Preferred)

• Announcer - Radio Announcer. ANY AGE/GENDER.
• Wilson - Radio Host (will also hold audience instruction signs, including “Applause”, “Scream”, etc.) ANY AGE/GENDER.

(These characters will also read classic 1940’s advertisements during the play’s “commercial breaks”)

The Birds Cast (British Dialects Preferred)

• John Waite - our narrator and protagonist. MALE, 20s-50s.
• Meg - John’s wife. FEMALE, 20s-50s.
• Jill - John and Meg’s daughter. FEMALE, TEENS-20s.
• Farmer Bell - ANY AGE/GENDER.
• BBC Announcer - ANY AGE/GENDER.
• BBC Field Reporter - ANY AGE/GENDER.
• Peter Jenkins - Interviewee. ANY AGE/GENDER.

The gender and age ranges on this audition notice are to be used as a general guide; the director is open to non-traditional casting.