Auditions for The Play That Goes Wrong

» Click here to go back to full-season information.

Dates and times

Auditions for The Play That Goes Wrong will take place on:

• Monday, February 27 from 6-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 28 from 6-8 p.m.

Directed by Meghan C. Hakes.

What to prepare

• In lieu of a monologue, prepare an embarrassing story (it does not need to have happened to you, but please present it as if it did) of at least 30 seconds, but no longer than 2 mins. 
• A story-based joke (clean or dirty). “Story-based” means that there should be elements of storytelling, development and setup to the joke, as opposed to, for instance, a knock-knock joke. 

What to wear

Be prepared to move throughout the entire audition. No need for a traditional audition outfit, sweatpants and sneakers are encouraged.

What else to expect

After a certain amount of actors (depending on how many show up at a time) have shared their embarrassing stories we will:

• Play a series of improv games with both small and large groups of auditionees.
• If you have stage combat experience, our Fight Director will lead you through a short sequence.

Please plan on being at the Croswell for the entire audition period.

Casting notes from the director

• All of these roles require lots of physical movement and stamina throughout the play. However, how that physicality is realized can be adapted to whomever we cast. Therefore, actors of all levels of physical ability or disabilities will be considered.
• Experience in a physical discipline is helpful, but not required. Examples: Dance, martial arts, sports, gymnastics, pantomime, etc. If you have experience in these, or any other physical discipline, please let us know on your registration form when you arrive. Stage combat experience is a plus, but not a requirement.
• All characters, with the exception of Annie, will be performed with a Standard/RP British or Posh/URP British dialect. No need to attempt either of these dialects in auditions, the cast will receive coaching during the rehearsal process.
• The age ranges are originally listed in the script as 20s-30s, however, I am not limiting us to such a small range. Therefore, adult actors of any age are welcome to audition.
• People auditioning for the role of Sandra/Florence, please note that she appears “in her underwear.” However, this is not the underclothes of the character she is playing, it’s the underclothes that an actor would wear under a costume. For example, full coverage bra, slip, Spanx, hose/tights. Therefore, not a lot of skin needs to be revealed. This can be adjusted to the comfort level of the actor who is cast, but I wanted to make you aware before auditions.
• No character in this play is defined by their race or ethnicity. Therefore, all are welcome and encouraged to audition.

Character descriptions

• Annie: Female presenting. The company’s Stage Manager. American dialect. Is eager to please and does whatever she can think of to make everything go well. She is quick and resourceful, but not necessarily an experienced Stage Manager. She has the largest journey of the cast. When she is initially thrown into the role of Florence, she is petrified, but then she discovers how much she loves acting. She starts small and continues to grow and grow.
• Trevor: Male, female or nonbinary presenting. The company’s light and sound operator. Full of snark, just trying to do their job. They are working only for the course credit. They are easily distracted. When thrown into taking part in the “play,” they are extremely uncomfortable.
• Chris/Inspector Carter: Male presenting. The head of the Cornley Drama Society and director of The Murder at Haversham Manor. Being the director, the success of the show means a great deal to him personally. The performance is high stakes for him, both as the director and when he is playing Inspector Carter. This is the biggest day of his life.
• Jonathan/Charles Haversham: Male presenting. A bit of a bland personality, but inside he feels like he is an action star. He cares about the show, but mostly just because it’s fun for him.  He enjoys the attention.  He is mostly in a state of excitement and having fun. Jonathan is the most physically demanding role. He plays a corpse in the play, but is constantly put in precarious positions that are physically extremely difficult to escape.
• Robert/Thomas Colleymoore: Male presenting. Has a very large and broad stage personality. He is very concerned with performing what he’s rehearsed, but is also quite good at adapting to the issue at hand when things go wrong. He does his best to overcome each mishap that gets thrown his way. 
• Dennis/Perkins: Male, female or nonbinary presenting. They are a very inexperienced actor, this is likely their first time being onstage. They are extremely concerned with how the audience perceives them.
• Max/Cecil Haversham/Arthur: Male presenting. A real ham. He overacts with exuberance and confidence, often pantomiming his dialogue. He finds a great deal of joy in being onstage.
• Sandra/Florence: Female presenting. She is, by far, the best female actor in the Cornley Drama Society. She is therefore always the leading lady. She has a huge ego and takes it personally whenever something goes wrong. Her actions are exaggerated and her instincts often miss the mark. She is incredibly threatened when she regains consciousness and realizes that Annie has been performing Florence.
• Swings/Stagehands (three total): Because of the nature of this play, if a cast member is unable to perform, replacing them with an actor with script in hand would make the performance extremely difficult for the rest of the cast and crew. Therefore, we will be casting Swings. A Swing is an actor who learns and rehearses multiple character tracks and is ready to perform those tracks with short notice as needed. They will be well rehearsed and prepared throughout our rehearsal process. They will also play stagehands through the production, visible and taking part in the story of the play. Swings are guaranteed a performance  (date TBD) so that they can share their hard work with their family, friends and our patrons.