Auditions

The 39 Steps

Directed by Rachel Broome

Please prepare a comedic monologue no more than 90 seconds long. Auditions will consist of your monologue and some improv games. WE ARE CASTING: • Richard Hannay — Male, 20s–40s-ish, simultaneously dorky and debonair. An extremely English bachelor who, having never had a true adventure before, finds himself thrust into the middle of a spy thriller starring himself as an alleged murderer. The actor who plays Richard Hannay will play only Richard Hannay. • Female Lead — 20s–40s-ish. Plays the following characters: Annabella Schmidt, a German femme fatale who instigates the mystery; Margaret, a meek Scottish farmer who shelters Hannay while on the run; and Pamela, a bluestocking, reluctant accomplice to Hannay who serves as his primary love interest. • Clown 1 — Any gender, 20s–50s-ish. Quick and comedic. Alongside Clown 2, Clown 1 splits the roughly 145 ensemble roles throughout the play. Some characters played by the clown last for seconds; some roles recur throughout the play. This role heavily depends upon comedic timing and quick, clear embodiments of characters. Notably, Clown 1 plays Mr. Memory, an act at a theatre that is more important than he seems. • Clown 2 — Any gender, 20s–50s-ish. Quick and comedic. Alongside Clown 1, Clown 2 splits the roughly 145 ensemble roles throughout the play. Some characters played by the clown last for seconds; some roles recur throughout the play. This role heavily depends upon comedic timing and quick, clear embodiments of characters. Notably, Clown 2 plays Professor Jordan, the play's main antagonist. • Shadow Cast — Four people, any gender, 15–50s-ish. This show will have two people attached to each role: the onstage cast and the shadow cast. A shadow cast member will aid their corresponding onstage cast member with their role; they will understudy the part in addition to being their main helper backstage, getting the onstage cast member their props and costumes. This show does not work if the timing for these costume changes and props is not perfect, so the shadow cast is essential for the show to run smoothly. In addition to helping their onstage cast member, the shadow cast will have radio-host lines during the show and work the shadow puppet segment. You will be involved in every rehearsal that your corresponding onstage cast member is involved in. • Sound Effects — 1–2 people of any gender or age. This show relies heavily on sound. You will be making sound effects live throughout the play, including door slams, incidental music, applause, and gunshots, using your voice, musical instrument(s), random objects banged together, or any other appropriate noise-making items you'd like to use. Ideally you would play at least one musical instrument for this role, but we can make it work if you don't. You will come to every rehearsal to practice and workshop your sound effects.