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upcoming Auditions

Welcome! Below you’ll find audition information for our upcoming productions. Please take a moment to read through all of the information thoroughly before signing up.

Each production will have a virtual Audition Information Session about two weeks before auditions. These sessions will allow you to learn more from the director and the production team about the show and what to expect during the audition process. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions before stepping into your audition! A link to join the meeting will be sent before the session. Please RSVP at the Audition Information Session link listed next to the date of the session.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

The Cornley Drama Society presents The Murder at Haversham Manor, and everything that could go wrong with their production does, despite their best efforts. What should have been a momentous production for the bourgeoning theatre company becomes a devastating rollercoaster for the actors and a hilarious ride for the audience.

Auditions are open to ages 18+.

Please sign up for ONE 10-minute read audition on Monday, July 20, or Tuesday, July 21, from 6:00- 10:00 p.m.  

Prior to your audition, please complete an audition form and bring it with you, or arrive early to complete a form available at the welcome table.  Audition Form

Auditions will be held at QCT. Please enter through the STAGE DOOR on the south side of the building off of Kentucky St.

Scripts are available for checkout at the Box Office.

If audition slots are full, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Casey Mercurio at casey.mercurio@1qct.org.

Audition Sign Up

Sides

Please select and prepare one of the provided sides from the show. You may be asked to read additional sides during your audition. We recommend reading all the available sides ahead of your appointment. Note that many characters will use an RP Accent (Received Pronunciation British); you are encouraged but not required to use an accent and/or memorize your chosen side for the audition.

Annie
Chris
Max
Sandra & Chris
Trevor

Character Descriptions

NOTE: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a physically demanding play. Most roles will require varying amounts of crawling, climbing, lifting, running, and/or falling. The show also includes a sword fight and some hand-to-hand combat.

A Performance Note from the writers: Everything in the show must, of course, be played for truth and not for laughs or parody. For Cornley this show is not a comedy, it’s a serious play, and it is so important to them all that it goes well, so when it goes wrong it hurts… remember that the actors are not bad actors but the victims of unfortunate circumstances.

Please also note that we will be utilizing understudies for this production, therefore actors should expect to share their roles. Understudies will go on for one scheduled performance as one of the two named roles they will cover, in addition to performing the ’STAGE CREW’ role on the other performances. Understudies should expect to attend all rehearsals for the roles they are performing.

All roles are 18+. Age ranges for characters are flexible and will depend on the proper fit for a cohesive vision for the production.

All actors will be considered regardless of gender identity/expression, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, body type, etc. 

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:  

ANNIE (female presenting) The stage manager; she has the biggest journey of any of the characters. When Sandra is indisposed, Annie (who cannot bear to be on stage) must step in. Initially terrified by acting, she is willing to kill for it by the end of the play; her initial terror turns to joy, and then to fury; she starts small but grows and grows; American accent.

CHRIS (male presenting) Is the head of the drama society and plays “Inspector Carter” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. Rigid, uptight, everything really matters; he is the director of the show and this is the biggest day of his life; everything is riding on this; it is a nerve wracking and exciting night; his pain is evident and every time someone laughs the pain deepens; he has equal amounts of contempt for his fellow actors and the audience watching the play; RP accent.

DENNIS (male presenting) Plays the butler, “Perkins,” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. He has no real desire to be involved in the theatre, he just wants to make friends (of which he has none); he believes if he does well in the show, he will be more successful socially; laughter from the audience is agony for him because he takes it as a personal tragedy/failure; he may be slightly oblivious, but understands when he gets things wrong; RP accent.

JONATHAN (male presenting) Plays “Charles Haversham” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. A bit bland, but sees himself as a James Bond type: excited and having fun, but not naïve. He technically must drive the show with his actions or lack thereof as the murder victim; he cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others; very physical role; RP accent.

MAX (male presenting) Plays “Cecil Haversham” and “Arthur the Gardener” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. He has never been on stage before; he learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do; he has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh he breaks the 4th wall and engages with the audience; childlike and naïve; his mistakes are fundamental; he doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval; RP accent. Intimacy: kiss – “putting his entire wide-open mouth over hers”

ROBERT (male presenting) Plays “Thomas Colleymore” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. Wants to be Richard Burton, as evidenced by his declamatory style; he is, however, not a parody of a bad actor; he is unaware of others around him; he does not feel badly when things go wrong and never learns from his mistakes; there is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert); RP accent.

SANDRA (female presenting) Plays “Florence Colleymoore” in The Murder at Haversham Manor. She is vain and possesses a huge ego; wants to be loved; has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants but is smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her (like the director); the stakes are high for her; very physical role; RP accent. Intimacy: kiss – “putting his entire wide-open mouth over hers”

TREVOR (male presenting) The play’s lighting and sound operator; he simply wants to get on with the show; curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors; he is easily distracted and does many things he shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience; when things go really sideways, he is forced to act in the play (even though he hates performing); American accent. Intimacy: kiss – “putting his entire wide-open mouth over hers”

STAGE CREW (2 male presenting, 1 female presenting – 3 total) the Cornley Drama Society stage crew. These actors will support the backstage run of show while also appearing in various brief moments on stage, particularly during the pre-show. All three will serve as understudies for the named roles above, with one scheduled performance. Understudies are crucial for a myriad of reasons, but the opportunity also presents an exciting chance for actors to sink their teeth into these roles and grow from the challenge understudying presents.

Curious about understudying? Please reach out to Artistic Director, Ethan Nienaber, at ethan.nienaber@1qct.org with questions and for more information.

Callbacks

Some people may be asked to attend callbacks on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6-10 PM.  You will be notified if you are asked to attend. If you are not called back or unavailable during these times, you will still be considered for casting.

If you intend to audition, please take note of the following:

IF YOU INTEND TO AUDITION, TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:  

REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will be held Monday-Friday anywhere from 6- 10 pm. There will be some Saturday morning or afternoon rehearsals and possible Sunday afternoon or evening rehearsals.  Actors may not be called for every rehearsal or for the full length of a rehearsal until the final weeks.  The first cast meeting will be Monday, July 27th at  6 pm.

OFF BOOK: Actors are asked to be “off book” (all lines memorized) by August 24th.

CONFLICTS: When listing conflicts on your audition form, please give exact days and times; we may be able to schedule around your pre-existing conflicts.  No conflicts after August 30th.

ABSENCES: Cast members are allowed two (2) excused absences from rehearsal. NO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE ALLOWED.  Please note that no cast member may miss his/her scheduled rehearsal for any reason after August 28.

BUILD DAY: Cast members are highly encouraged to attend the build day(s) and be a holistic part of putting together the best show possible. The build day(s) for this production are August 22 & 29.

TECHNICAL REHEARSALS: Before auditioning, please take note that tech weekend is scheduled for September 5-6 & 12-13. The specific schedule will be announced the week leading up to these days.

COSTUMES: You may be asked to provide supplementary costume pieces (such as undergarments and socks) and/or shoes.

By auditioning, you agree to the following:  

Being a part of a QCT production is a HUGE commitment, but the reward is worth it! You will be expected to work as needed outside of rehearsals on your lines, music, and choreography; you will attend all scheduled rehearsals; and you will be willing to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Please only audition if you are ready to commit to the above.  Let’s work hard and have some fun!  

Production Team