“Arsenic and Old Lace” Play Looking for Performers

Expires: 3/16/2024
Paying up to $120/day
Description

ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Directors are currently in need of performers for “Arsenic and Old Lace” play. More details are below.

About the project:
This is the very popular story of two very prim, proper, kind-hearted and devout spinster sisters who make it their life’s work to comfort and alleviate the suffering of lonely old gentlemen. Add in a nephew who works as a drama critic, a nephew who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, and another nephew who has returned home with revenge on his mind, and you have a hilarious comedy about good people trying to do good deeds, and bad people doing very bad deeds indeed. “Arsenic & Old Lace” is a dark comedy with great scope for actors!

Rate:
This production is Non Paying/Non Equity.

Additional information:
CALLBACKS: March 18, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
AUDITION & REHEARSAL LOCATION: Scarborough.
REHEARSALS: April 16, 2024, 7:30 pm – first read-thorough.
Continue: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Sundays: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
NOTE: These times may be flexible depending on the day-job schedule of the director.
PERFORMANCE DATES – 2024
July 5-6 Friday, Saturday – 8 pm;
July 7 Sunday Matinée – 2 pm;
July 11-13 Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 8 pm;
July 14 Sunday Matinée – 2 pm;
July 18-19 Thursday, Friday – 8 pm;
July 20 Saturday Matinée – 2 pm;
All performances in Scarborough.
Please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic monologue. You may also be asked to do a cold-read from the script, so it is best to familiarize yourself with the show. Please bring a copy of your resume and headshot to the audition. Callbacks ​will consist of scenes from the show, performed in groups.

If you’re interested, please apply,
Please indicate what role(s) you are interested in.

14 Project roles
Abby Brewster
Female
55
-
70
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Martha Brewster
Female
55
-
70
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Elaine Harper
Female
25
-
40
y.o.
All ethnicities
An Attractive young lady, daughter of Rev. Dr. Harper, and Mortimer’s fiancée. She is surprisingly wise,sassy and very sharp. Huge range of emotions required.
Application deadline closed.
Mortimer Brewster
Male
30
-
45
y.o.
All ethnicities
Nephew of Abby and Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. 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.
Application deadline closed.
Teddy Brewster
Male
25
-
35
y.o.
All ethnicities
Very likable, kind-hearted, delusional brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy is a man who believes that he is the 26th U.S.President, Theodore Roosevelt. Extreme dedication and energy is necessary while charging up a flight of stairs and screaming “CHARGE!” PHYSICAL ROLE.
Application deadline closed.
Jonathan Brewster
Male
18
-
56
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Dr. Einstein
Both genders
18
-
56
y.o.
All ethnicities
German plastic surgeon, with an accent to prove it. Right hand to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein is mysterious 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.
Application deadline closed.
The Reverend Dr. Harper
Male
55
-
70
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Mr. Gibbs
Male
60
-
80
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Lieutenant Rooney
Male
46
-
64
y.o.
All ethnicities
The man in charge at the local police precinct. Very early in the show gain a pretty strong understanding of the caliber of men he has to manage under his watch. 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.
Application deadline closed.
Mr. Witherspoon
Male
60
-
69
y.o.
All ethnicities
The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild mannered and kind.
Application deadline closed.
Officer Brophy
Male
25
-
45
y.o.
All ethnicities
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.
Application deadline closed.
Officer Klein
Both genders
25
-
45
y.o.
All ethnicities
A flatfooted Brooklyn officer who makes his/her rounds with Officer Brophy collecting Christmas toys.
Application deadline closed.
Officer O’Hara
Both genders
18
-
56
y.o.
All ethnicities
He/she is the quintessential example of an Irish-American police officer: Full of life, good natured and played big. He/she 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/her 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/she does.
Application deadline closed.