Auditions
Individual directors determine preparation criteria for the auditions of each production. Sometimes there are cold readings and sometimes a director will request auditioners to come prepared to do short monologues.
Upcoming Auditions
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
By John Bishop
Auditions:August 28-29, 2023 – 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Auditions will be held at the Sermon Center.
Callbacks (if needed):August 30, 2023 – 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Performances:November 3-5, 10-12, 2023
What to prepare
- Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Auditioners are encouraged (but not required) to prepare a monologue.
- Please keep in mind that this show is going to be campy. Whether in your monologues or cold readings, feel free to add as much camp as you’d like. (simple definition of camp: If you describe someone’s behavior, performance, or style of dress as camp, you mean that it is exaggerated and amusing)
- Bring a headshot and resume if available. Audition forms will be filled out onsite. If you do not have a headshot, your photo will be taken at the audition.
- Come prepared with any anticipated conflicts from September 6 through October 29. No conflicts will be accepted from October 29th through the end of the run.
If you have questions or cannot make the audition times, please contact the director at directormck@gmail.com.
Callbacks
(by directors invitation only)
You will be notified by email if invited to the callback portion of auditions. Please remember that not being called back does not mean you have not been cast.
Rehearsals
September 6 – October 12: Rehearsals will be 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Sermon Center
October 16 – Opening night: Rehearsals will be 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM at the Sermon Center*
*Note: as we near opening night, rehearsals may go as late as 10:00 PM
Synopsis
December 1940. The Grosskneuten mansion plays host to a reading of a new musical as a cover to unveil the identity of the Stage Door Slasher. Mystery and murder ensue!
Character Breakdown
4 female-identifying / 5 male-identifying / 1 either
*Multiple characters have secret identities or play additional characters. Some characters speak with accents for all or parts of the play including Irish, German, Italian, and New York/Bronx.
Helsa Wentzel
The maid… or is she?
Elsa Von Grossenkneuten – the patron
She’s wealthy and eccentric and wants to catch a killer.
Michael Kelly – the cop.
Kelly is an undercover NYPD police officer trying to crack the case.
Patrick O’Reilly – the tenor.
O’Reilly is a pretty shady “Irish” tenor.
Ken De La Maize – the director.
A true auteur, he definitely thinks he’s better than you.
Nikki Crandall – the ingénue.
She’s just here for an audition, nothing suspicious about that.
Eddie McCuen – the comedian.
At least he thinks he’s funny (think Bob Hope / Lou Costello)
Marjorie Baverstock – the producer.
She’ll impress you with her “mastery” of language.
Roger Hopewell – the composer.
He’s successful, in business and pleasure.
Bernice Roth – the lyricist.
She’s a peculiar perfectionist with a penchant for potations.