Auditions

ALL AUDITIONS ARE HELD AT LITTLE COLONEL PLAYERS THEATER

302 Mt Mercy Drive, Pewee Valley

All auditions at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted

Roles are open to all ethnicities

Auditions will be cold readings from provided sides.

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Non-Discrimination Policy

The Cottage

By Sandy Rustin

Directed by George Robert Bailey

The Cottage is a wicked Noel Cowardesque farce about marriage, infidelity, sibling rivalry, feminism, love of tea, love in general, and murder, maybe. Written to be done with the six funniest actors you know according to the playwright, it recently had a Broadway run directed by Jason Alexander. The play is a romantic and (not quite) murderous comedy of manners. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising, hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous, potentially murderous, uncharacteristically feminist 1923 British tale of sex, betrayal and love. Sylvia and Beau find themselves in an English countryside cottage for their yearly rendezvous, and Sylvia knows this time it will be the beginning of their new life together. But when Beau demurs on a shared future, and their spouses arrive at the cottage, she realizes that this home-away-from-home is a refuge for determining a new path forward and decides to expose her love affair to her husband and her lover’s wife. With a tip of the hat to Noël Coward and sex comedies of the past, The Cottage offers a perfect showcase for six actors with endless laughs, hilarious twists, daring physical comedy and a happy ending for lovers everywhere. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising, hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous, potentially murderous, uncharacteristically feminist 1923 British tale of sex, betrayal and love.

Auditions June 28 and 29

CAST

  • 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. 

The Abbey

By Garrett Bates

Directed by Mike Price

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?

Auditions August 23 and 24

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

CAST (information here still being updated as of July 12)

Roles possible for 2-3 women and 4-5 men:

SAM FLUHR (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 might find a way to rediscover himself. Comic and dramatic role.

BROTHER ARMAND (60s-70s) – A French Trappist monk whose calm presence masks a lifetime of penance. He is kind but firm, wise and VERY droll- and aimless souls seem to find their way to him. Works the reception center front 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 (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, inconvenient, and meaningful. Smart, upbeat and no-nonsense.

—supporting roles (with less rehearsal time commitment)

JACKIE (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.

FATHER O’CONNOR (late 60s+) – Mysterious “ancient” monk who makes his way slowly around the Abbey using his walker. Carries a hammer for special occasions! Comic role

NOVICE MONK (20s) – A sincere young man “learning the ropes”. He is the subject of numerous pranks.

An Abbey MONK –TBD 

A visiting RETREATANT– TBD

C

Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley

By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon

Directed by Bill Baker

A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, Miss Bennet continues the story, only this time with bookish middle sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Now, Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love.

Auditions October 11 and 12

CAST

Mary Bennet – Finally coming in to 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.

A Magic Christmas

by Faye D. Julian

directed by Morgan Schussler-Williams
 
There has always been something magical about Christmas—from that very first Christmas when a new star appeared in the East to Christmases today when toys mysteriously appear in stockings and under trees, and hearts turn warm. This one-act play for children shows a very special Christmas for Miss Annie Belle, who hasn’t had a truly merry Christmas in many years. Now, running out of money, this may be her worst. She keeps wishing for a white Christmas. She’s really good hearted—just a bit selfish. She is so lonely that she talks to her plants and a dilapidated old doll whose head keeps falling off. A series of strange events, aided by the poinsettia, the holly plant and the doll, give Miss Annie her chance to prove the goodness of her heart. 
 
Auditions November 8 and 9
 
CAST
 
Miss Annie Belle – the good-hearted but slightly selfish and lonely protagonist
 
Talking Plants – the living Poinsettia and Holly plant
 
The Doll – a dilapidated old doll whose head keeps falling off

 

Hedda Gabler

By Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Jack Wann

Recently returned from a long honeymoon, Hedda is already bored with her marriage, disdains her husband’s academic pursuits, and is struggling with the societal constraints of the 1890s. Eilert Lovborg, a recovering alcoholic and brilliant author, returns to town, threatening George’s career prospects and sparking jealousy in Hedda. Hedda, jealous of the influence Thea Elvsted has over Lovborg, coerces him to break his sobriety. After Lovborg loses the manuscript for his new book, Hedda burns it. She then gives him one of her father’s pistols to take his own life. Judge Brack discovers Hedda’s role in Lovborg’s death and threatens her with scandal. Rather than submit to his control, Hedda shoots herself. The play is a profound psychological study of a woman struggling for agency in a restrictive society, often described as a “tragedy of bourgeois life”.

Auditions December 20 and 21

Cold Readings for the Auditions although prepared monologues are welcome and
encouraged. The play is a classic of Realism. Prepared material should reflect that.

CAST

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

See How They Run

By Phillip King

Directed by George Robert Bailey

The swift action, impossibly hilarious situations and rib-tickling plot in this long-running London hit will leave audiences exhausted with laughter. In an English vicarage, the vicar and his wife are overwhelmed by a barrage of colorful guests, including an American actress, an American G.I. stationed with the Air Force in England, a cockney maid who has seen too many American movies, an old dowager who “touches alcohol for the first time in her life,” a sedate Bishop aghast at all these goings-on, and four men in identical clergyman suits, one of whom is an escaped prisoner.
 
Auditions February 7 and 8 
 
CAST
 

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

Youth Show (high school and college)

By Tim Kelly

Directed by Jay Padilla-Hayter

Holmes’ most spine-chilling mystery is placed in a modern setting in this version – with suspense, humor, and terror. Sir Henry is heir to the vast Baskerville fortune, a legacy that comes with a family curse: death at the fangs of a horror that prowls the moor. Only Holmes can stop the beast. While mysterious lights signal Baskerville Hall and the hound terrifies the countryside, the sleuthing begins and suspicion falls on sinister servants, butterfly collectors, ladies in distress, and escaped convicts. Who wrote the letter that summoned the hound? Is Sir Henry’s romance with the lovely Kathy doomed? Is the supernatural at work?

Auditions April 4 and 5
 
CAST

Sherlock Holmes – The famous detective, intelligent, obsessive, and quick-witted

Dr. Watson – Holmes’ loyal assistant and the primary narrator of the story

Dr. Mortimer – A country doctor and friend to the family who brings the case to Holmes

Sir Henry Baskerville – The nephew of Sir Charles and the heir to the Baskerville estate.

Cabman –

Mr. Barrymore – The butler at Baskerville Hall

Mrs. Barrymore – The housekeeper at Baskerville Hall and sister to the escaped convict, Selden.

Jack Stapleton – A naturalist and the antagonist; a disguised member of the Baskerville family (Rodger Baskerville Jr.) aiming to inherit the estate.

Beryl Stapleton – Initially believed to be Stapleton’s sister, she is actually his abused wife.

Mrs. Laura Lyons – A resident of Coombe Tracey who was manipulated by Stapleton

Mr. Franklin – An elderly neighbor who enjoys lawsuits