2026–2027 Season Auditions

Roles

Sylvia — A lovely and rash romantic who is feminine yet strong-willed. Fed up with hopeful but frustrated pursuits, she decides to boldly shake up her life by exposing her affair to her lover’s wife.

Beau — Perhaps the best-looking man in Britain and Sylvia’s lover. He is logical to the point of pessimism and quite content maintaining the status quo of their yearly one-night affair.

Marjorie — Beau’s unflappable wife. She is eight months pregnant, pragmatic, and a “tad spicy”.

Richard — Sylvia’s husband. He is described as a gentle yet murderous soul who embodies a blend of hypocrisy and stuffiness.

Clarke — A distinguished gentleman with a kindhearted “lover’s spirit”.

Dierdre — Marjorie’s sister. An awfully pretty, sometimes wise nincompoop who adds sweet, gullible, and occasionally surprisingly profound observations to the chaos.

After losing his wife to the pandemic, formerly buttoned-up Sam is coming undone. An alarming incident finally pushes his friends and family to intervene, issuing an ultimatum: get away for a few days to confront whatever is keeping him stuck. The result is a silent retreat at a Trappist monastery, where there are no phones, no TV, no Wi-Fi—just one mocking bar of cell service daring him to slip back into the life he insists he controls. Add in a collection of quirky (and occasionally menacing) monks plus a fellow retreatant on her own journey of renewal, and you have the recipe for a tender comedy about grief, healing, and answering the question: does moving forward mean leaving old loves behind?

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for The Abbey! This is a new original play by Louisville playwright Garrett Bates.

We have provided 3 script examples (below) to give you a sense of the show and some of the characters.

CAST: Roles for 2-3 women and 5-6 men:

SAM FLUHR – Male, 50s. Sam is a recent widower still stunned by the sudden loss of his wife during the pandemic. He has become unraveled and erratic to the point where his family and friends have coerced him into a “silent” retreat to a monastery- where he can no longer escape the self reflection that he needs (nor the quirky monks that are there to facilitate it!) Comic and dramatic role.

BROTHER ARMAND – Male, 60s-70s. A French Trappist monk whose calm presence masks a lifetime of penance. He is prickly but caring, wise and VERY droll- and aimless souls seem to find their way to him. He works the reception counter and advises visitors about life at the Abbey, to sometimes humorous effect! Note: He does not require a French accent but does speak a line or two in French.

MARY – Female, late 40s-50s. A returning “retreatant” to the monastery, she has her own baggage (and her late husband) along with her. She has stripped her life down to the essentials, hoping for closure if not a new start. She meets Sam -which proves to be awkward, meaningful and highly inconvenient. Smart, upbeat and no-nonsense.

Supporting Roles (with less rehearsal commitment)

JACKIE – Female, late 40s-50s. The best friend of Sam’s deceased wife. Jackie is blunt, honest, and very crass- but she and her husband Chuck deeply care about Sam’s well-being. Jackie joined Sam’s children in getting him to go on the retreat to the Abbey.

EARNEST RETREATANT– Male or Female, 20s-40s. An overly enthusiastic retreatant enjoying a stay at the Abbey but concerned about following the rules. They are an unwitting catalyst for Sam.

NOVICE MONK – Male, 20s-30s. A sincere young monk “learning the ropes”. He is the subject of numerous pranks. Comic and non-speaking role.

FATHER O’CONNOR – Male, late 60s+. Mysterious “ancient” monk who makes his way slowly around the Abbey using his walker. Carries a hammer for special occasions! "Physical" comedy and non-speaking role.

An Abbey MONK – Male, 40s-60s. A pious monk involved in various gatherings during the show. Non-speaking role.

Roles

Mary Bennet — Finally coming into her own, she is no longer the plain boring girl she once was. She has fire in her, now. She is intelligent, curious and lively, but her family only sees her as a future spinster. She does not suffer fools. She wants to live. Early 20s.

Arthur deBourgh — A studious, unsociable only child who has never been around women or large families. He is a loner who prefers books to people. He has recently inherited a large estate and has no idea what to do next. Mid-20s.

Elizabeth Darcy — Married to Mr. Darcy. Confident, charming and witty. She makes a fun and surprising lady of the house. She is best friends with her sister, Jane. Early 20s.

Fitzwilliam Darcy — A loving, generous and smart (if slightly stiff) husband. He is quiet and vigilant, and thus sees what others often miss. He knows what being lovelorn is like. Early 30s.

Jane Bingley — Married to Mr. Bingley. She is seven months pregnant with her first child and is as sweet and optimistic as ever. The kindest heart in the house. Mid 20s.

Charles Bingley — Gracious, happy and ever focused on the love of his life, Jane. A good friend and always ready with a smile. Mid 20s.

Lydia Wickham — Flirtatious, youthful, self-centered. Her marriage to Mr. Wickham is a sham, but she will not admit this. She is the person you want to have at your party; energetic, engaging, unstoppable. Late teens.

Anne de Bourgh — Only daughter of the late Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lived in her mother’s very large shadow, never having to ask for anything or speak for herself, her entire life. Judgmental and impatient, just like her mother. Early 20s.

Roles

Miss Annie Belle — an energetic, kindly, somewhat eccentric, but cheerful woman. 30s - 50s.

Holly - a cowardly holly bush. Any gender. 18-70.

Setta - a pretty poinsettia plant. Any gender. 18-70.

Miz Zelda - a pretentious, conceited, selfish woman. 40s- 60s.

Peggy — a pretty, young girl who talks too much. 12-15.

Egbert - a confused, humorous, and tired mailman. Any gender. 40s - 60s.

Roles

Hedda Gabler — playing range 28-35 plus, refined and distinguished, but cold; strikingly attractive.

Mrs. Elvsted — a few years younger than Hedda, 24–early 30’s, a bit fragile, steadfast.

Aunt Juliana — in her 60’s, a doting but loving, well meaning.

Berta — middle aged, 50’s–60’s; has been servant with family for a while, age could be flexible, loyal.

George Tesman — usually played in early 30’s—range (29-38), dedicated to his work—a scholar, a bit pedantic and exacting in manner.

Judge Brack — older than other men, but attractive and smooth—a rake, 40’s–early 50’s.

Lovberg — approx. same age as George, early 30’s, but a bit dissipated, arty.

Roles

Penelope Toop — The vicar’s wife and a former actress. She is bubbly and energetic with a theatrical flair. 20 to 30.

The Reverend Lionel Toop — The earnest overwhelmed vicar who frequently finds himself confused, angered, and eventually running around in his underwear. 30’s.

Ida — The wisecracking, Cockney maid. She wields some of the sharpest one-liners in the show. 20 to 30.

Lance-Corporal Clive Winton — A soldier and Penelope’s old actor friend. He is charming, handsome, and impulsive. 20 to 30.

The Bishop of Lax — Penelope’s dignified yet easily confused uncle. 50+.

The Reverend Arthur Humphrey — A mild-mannered, kindly local priest visiting for Sunday service. 40 to 50.

Miss Skillon — The starchy, meddling local spinster and church busybody. 50+.

The Intruder — An escaped prisoner of war. 20 to 30.

The Sergeant — The local law enforcement; loud, flustered, and totally overwhelmed. 30 to 40.

Roles

Youth show for high school and college actors.

Lady Agatha Mortimer - A medical doctor, ample, “tweedy”, forceful.

Perkins — A young maid.

Dr. Watson — Holmes’ colleague.

Sherlock Holmes - A famed private investigator interested in bizarre cases, a master at detection.

Mrs. Barrymore - The housekeeper.

Sir Henry — A young nobleman, heir to a fortune and a curse.

Barrymore — A butler, slightly sinister, but capable.

Kathy Stapleton — A vivacious young woman.

Jack Stapleton — Her brother, given to emotional outbursts.

Laura Lyons — A capable young woman with a dangerous secret.