Information for all auditions

Location (unless otherwise specified):
Playcrafters of Skippack
2011 Store Road, Skippack, PA 19474.

All artists who are cast in one of our productions must become a member of Playcrafters. You do not need to become a member prior to auditioning.

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Arsenic and Old Lace
Casa Valentina

Arsenic and Old Lace

Audition Dates: Monday, December 8, 7-10PM; Wednesday, December 10, 7-10PM
Callbacks by invitation: Thursday, December 11, 7PM
Performance Dates: March 13 through March 29

The play is a farcical black comedy revolving around the Brewster family, descended from Mayflower settlers but now composed of maniacs, many of them homicidal. A timeless hit, it premiered on Broadway at the Fulton Theatre on January 10, 1941. This highly popular play, by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, was written in 1939. It has become best known through the 1944 film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra.

Actors should prepare a 1-2 minute comic monologue. Auditions will also include cold readings from the script.

To audition, please sign up here

CHARACTERS (all ages are approximate):

Abby Brewster (50-75): A darling lady and 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. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Martha Brewster (50-75): 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. The Aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

Mortimer Brewster (30-45): Nephew of Abby and Martha, brother to both Teddy and Jonathan Brewster. A very likable man, 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.

Teddy Brewster (40-55): Very likable, kindhearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan, nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy is a man who believes that he is the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.

Jonathan Brewster (30-50): 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 to look like Boris Karloff.

Dr. Einstein (45-55): A German plastic surgeon, with an accent to prove it. Right hand to Jonathan, Dr. Einstein is mousey 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. (Please do your best German accent at the audition).

Elaine Harper (25-35): An attractive girl, daughter of Rev. Dr. Harper, and Mortimer's fiancée. She is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister's daughter. She is a little bit wily, sassy, and absolutely sharp.

Featured Roles (there is a potential for doubling):

The Rev. Dr. Harper (50-70): Elaine Harper's father who is also a minister with a sense of polish, refinement, and mild-mannered sensitivity towards others. He is not in favor of Mortimer and Elaine's relationship.

Officer Brophy (25-45): 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.

Officer Klein (25-45): A flatfoot Brooklyn officer who makes his rounds with Officer Brophy collecting Christmas toys.

Officer O'Hara (25-45): He is the quintessential example of an Irish-American police officer, good-natured, and played big. He 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 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 does.

Lieutenant Rooney (50-60): The man in charge at the local police precinct. 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.

Mr. Gibbs (55-80): 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.

Mr. Witherspoon (40-70): The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium. Very mild-mannered and kind.

Casa Valentina

Audition Dates: TBD
Callbacks by invitation: TBD
Performance Dates: May 1 through May 17

Details coming soon

CHARACTERS:

The following four roles appear in both male and female forms.

George/Valentina (40s): Owner of the Chevalier d’Eon resort and husband to Rita. "An insurance-salesman type as a man; assured and charming as a woman." Based on Tito/Susanna Valenti. Anxious about the financial position of the resort as well as a recent incident involving the federal government. He holds a desire within himself that he is not yet ready to voice.
This actor must be comfortable being shirtless onstage and physically intimate with Rita.

Jonathon/Miranda (30s): A first-time guest at the resort. "Overly polite and cautious as a male; as a female, she is ebullient." Terrified but also intensely excited about experiencing community and acceptance for the first time. Shines a light on what a gender-questioning person goes through as they explore their true selves.
This role will require both physical and emotional vulnerability. The actor must be comfortable wearing lingerie onstage, having makeup applied and removed by another actor, being forcibly kissed by another actor (Amy), and throwing a punch.

Judge/Amy (60s-70s): A long-time regular of the resort and a good friend of George/Valentina who is looking forward to his retirement. "Large, distinguished, powerful, and imposing as a man, and a clunky sort of Tugboat Annie woman." Private and professional, even when dressed.
This actor must be comfortable forcibly kissing another actor (Miranda) and being punched.

Bessie (50s): A regular of the resort and a lover of Oscar Wilde. "Chubby. Quick-witted and friendly. Unaffectedly feminine." Full of quips, one-liners, and lots of sass. Note: this is the role that Fierstein wrote for himself but ultimately did not play.
This actor must be comfortable exposing their bare chest onstage in order to show off taped breasts.

The following three roles appear in female forms only. Cis women will not be considered for these roles.

Charlotte (40s-50s): A scientist, publisher, and activist from California. "The ultimate WASP. A buttoned-down, strict disciplinarian." Based on Virginia Prince. Determined to normalize heterosexual transvestism in the US. Arrives at the resort to open an East Coast chapter of her new non-profit.

Gloria (30s): A regular of the resort and friend of George/Valentina. "A very handsome and sexually-charged chap who is accustomed to compliments, whether dressed as a male or female." Exceedingly confident but also quite caring. Presents the most accepting and modern views of the show.

Terry (60s-70s): A regular of the resort. "Sweet and gentle and slightly silly, like a favorite old auntie." Just enjoying life and being among friends. At times the instigator of fun, at times the voice of reason. The oldest of the girls.

The following two roles are available to cis women.

Rita (40s-50s): Wife to George and owner of the wig shop. "A resigned, determined but worn earth-mother." Based on Maria Tornell. Loving and accepting, but occasionally tired and overwhelmed, especially with the recent financial and legal difficulties. Deeply devoted to George and a kind of den-mother to the girls.
This actor must be comfortable being physically intimate with George.

Eleanor (40s-50s): The Judge’s daughter. "Brittle, cold, and damaged." Blames her father’s "hobby" for everything wrong in her life. Represents society’s view of anyone who doesn’t follow established gender roles.
This character only appears in the final scene. The actor cast will be asked to assist with scene and/or costume changes backstage during the rest of the show.