Auditions: A Night at the Theatre

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A Night at the Theatre

An Original Immersive Murder Mystery Experience

Original Concept and Written By Allyssa Hynes and E. Dale Smith-Gallo

Directed by E. Dale Smith-Gallo & Allyssa Hynes

Performance Dates

  • November  13, 14, 15, 16 at 8:00 pm

Audition Dates

  • Sunday, August 17th @ 7:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 19th @ 7:00pm
  • Thursday, August 21st @ 7:00pm (Call backs)

Description:

As the cast, crew, and audience assemble to watch Studio Players’ production of “The Mysterious Case of the Chestnut and the Cockatoo,” something is definitely awry. The show is starting late. Everyone seems on edge. And the leading lady is in rare form when it comes to her problematic antics. 

Once that the audience is finally admitted into the theatre, the epic restaging of this droll, British mystery begins. But within minutes, lines are dropped, cues are missed, and the leading lady is dead on the couch. 

And here, the real show begins! 13 actors follow individualized tracks throughout the entire building– searching for clues, engaging in nefarious interactions, and revealing secrets. Alternating between scripted scenes and improvised interactions with random audience members, the show evolves into a “choose your own adventure” style mystery with characters– and clues– around every corner! 

So, fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy (and hilarious!) night.

Audition Format:

While the audition will primarily focus on the scripted sides provided, there may also be some improvisational activities to see how actors react “in the moment.” (Don’t worry, it won’t be hard!)

As per Studio Policy– all actors will be considered for any role regardless of race or gender identity. As an inclusive space we invite you to audition for any role that you would like to be considered to play.

Mobility Notice: This production is an immersive experience that requires that actors move throughout the 3-story building followed by audience members. Unfortunately, Studio Playhouse is not currently handicapped-accessible, and each actor must be able to climb at least one flight of stairs in a limited amount of time. We apologize if this mobility requirement limits your ability to audition for this production, and we invite you to audition for our other shows throughout the season. But please contact us if you have any questions/concerns.

Characters: (13 actors– 6 female, 6 male, 1 unspecified)

RITA RIDICCIO, The Leading Lady: (FEMALE, 35-55) Overly theatrical and minorly talented, she is the perfect combination of braggart, blowhard, and diva. She’s not particularly likable or talented, so one wonders how exactly she got the role. Literally everyone wants her dead. So now she is.

REGINA RIDICCIO, The Unexpected Twin: (FEMALE, 35-55) Practical and no-nonsense, Regina is everything that Rita is not. She’ll cry when she has time, but– quite frankly– now there is no time.

*The roles of RITA and REGINA are double-cast using the same actor.

DET. TRUEN FALSE, The Detective: (MALE or FEMALE/ 30-60) A bumbling, incompetent professional who was attending the show and has taken it upon themself to solve the crime. It’s (seemingly) not going well. They are good as asking the right questions, but leave a little to be desired when it comes to connecting the dots.

TRAVIS TICKETEER, The Box Office Manager: (MALE, 35-75) Travis is a “power gay.” He thinks that he holds a disproportionate amount of sway in his position, and he sprinkles his opinions on everything into every conversation. He is a continual presence at the theatre, but perhaps a malignant one as well.

FRANNIE FIXIT, The Tech Manager: (FEMALE, 35-75) Frannie is exactly the type of lesbian that you would expect to be the tech manager at a community theatre. She wears overalls and workboots at all times. She probably has a bandana sticking out of her pocket “just in case.” She is in cahoots with Travis over something, but is their shared secret dark enough to warrant murder?

CEDRIC CALLIT, The Director: (MALE, 25-40) A mediocre director with ambitions to revolutionize community theatre production. He feels that this– middling– play could be his finest opus– if only that cumbersome leading lady were out of the way.

TIM TIMEKEEP, The Stage Manager: (MALE- 20-35) A rather harried young man who can always provide bandaid, a pencil, or a keen observation. Whichever you need. His mind is acute, even if his mouth can’t quite keep up with it.

NELLY NEEDLEBAUM, The Costumer: (FEMALE, 55-80) British and continually in motion, she is Gracie’s best friend– spending endless hours with her in the green room and chattering on about whatever comes to mind.  She’s smart but a little exasperated all of the time. She makes great clothes, but the theatrical personalities that surround her are a bit much. 

LINDA LOVEJOY, The Character Actress: (FEMALE, 35-60) Linda LOVES community theatre. Specifically, Linda loves THIS community theatre. She’s on the board as head of supplies. (“It’s not much, but somebody has to do it, and I just want to help out!”) She is a genuinely nice person. She has been in 26 productions at Studio, and she just loves it because it gives her a place to go and something to do. It’s like one big family! Well– it was–until Rita showed up and ruined everything.

DAVID DENTALMAN, The Leading Man: (MALE, 40-60) A local dentist who enjoys taking the stage. He is successful in his practice, and he’s a good actor, but he  has a bit of a volatile and explosive personality. He has also started to flirt– heavily– with Rita. She is hot and cold– which frustrates the hell out of him.

RICHARD RISING, The Newbie: (MALE, 20-30) Richard recently graduated from MSU as an actor, and he’s been working very hard to get discovered. Tomorrow night he has an agent from New York coming to see him perform, but he’s terrified that Rita is going to pull her usual tricks and screw it all up for him.

GRACIE GRAY, The Old Woman: (FEMALE, 55-80) She plays a small but pivotal role in the second act, but otherwise she sits in the Green Room and knits, because “with these hips, once I go up those God-forsaken stairs to the stage, I am not coming back down until after the curtain call.” She seems disconnected, but she almost certainly knows something.

ADELAI AMATEURA, The Understudy: (FEMALE, 20-35) An “All About Eve” type ingenue, she currently plays a tiny role in the second act, but she’s always ready to go on. She is significantly more talented and suited for the role of the leading lady. She also wants it really badly. Like, really badly. Like, she might just kill for it.

NICK NOBUDDY, The Audience Member: (MALE, 20-40) Nick is Rita’s biggest fan. He sees everything that she does… twice. She enjoys the attention but is completely disinterested in developing a true friendship. As Nick is (probably) gay, it’s more of a “spirit diva” attraction than a romantic one. But will his fierce loyalty prove to make him an ally or a target?