(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players will hold auditions for The 39 Steps on Thursday, February 16 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm; Friday, February 17 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm; and Saturday, February 18 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm. The auditions will be held at 1000 North Avenue West in Westfield.
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre! This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance!
In The 39 Steps, a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure!
The production will be directed by Steve Lemenille. It is produced by Peter Curley and will be stage managed by Taylor Lyons.
ROLE BREAKDOWNS: All roles are open and will be cast without regard to race or ethnicity.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS
RICHARD HANNAY: - [M] - [Stage age: late 20s to 50s.] The daring, leading man of the show; charming, innocent, and charismatic. Must have great endurance and superb comic timing. A dapper English gentleman. One half of the leading duo of the leading duo who possesses the Hitchcock-esque suave, dashing, debonaire qualities. He is an artistic soul, a rebel, and an everyman capable of unlocking a secret heart filled with will and determination, cunning and vulnerability. He is bored--until Annabelle Schmidt comes into his life and starts him on a heroic and hilarious journey. Actor should be an adept physical comedian, a great listener and responder, and ensemble member. A standard-British accent preferred.
ANNABELLA/PAMELA/MARGARET: - [F] - [Stage age: 20s to 50s.] One half of the leading duo who possesses physical, emotional, and comedic prowess. Actor will play all three roles below, with the possibility of stepping into a clown role or two. The role calls for multiple dialects. A paranoid German or Russian spy, a lower-class Scottish farmer's wife, and the upper class British romantic lead of the show. All three dialects should be present.. Must have excellent comic timing.
Annabella: is a mysterious alluring German or Russian, spy a brilliant but marked Russian or German woman who is on the run from spies and killed at their hand. Russian or German accent preferred.
Pamela: a quintessential Hitchcock-esqe leading lady. She is bold, emotionally, and intellectually intelligent, powerful, and fashionable, spunky, independent, and young British heroine. Must have excellent comedic timing. English accent preferred.
Margaret: a small-town farm worker married off to a cruel man; she is eager to see the world, to help Richard out when he stumbles upon her farm and is willing to risk the consequences from her abusive husband in following her heart and gut. Scottish accent preferred, played by same actress, love interest, secret agent, Scottish wife, also involved in espionage and intrigue. young, shy, sheltered, wife of an older country farmer.
CLOWN #1 & CLOWN #2 - [M/F] [Stage age:20s to 50s] - seeking two extremely versatile character actors. Vivacious, debonair, and with substantial authority, the clowns expertly execute 150+ roles with Olympian prowess and skillful comedic timing. Versatility with European accents is a plus. Must be able to lift certain set pieces and move adroitly throughout stage and between roles. The clowns will play dozens of characters with accents ranging from High London to country people from Scotland. A great sense of comedy, improv and physicality are essential.
Clown 1: This role calls for exceptional physical and verbal comic ability. Must be able to provide multiple dialects. This actor plays multiple characters, sometimes simultaneously. Great endurance and focus are required.
Clown 2: This role also calls for exceptional physical and verbal comic ability. Must be able to provide multiple dialects. This actor plays multiple characters, sometimes simultaneously. Great endurance and focus are required.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
a) Please bring a current headshot & resume, if possible
b) Sides will also be provided at audition
c) Bring your calendar and be prepared to list all conflicts. Conflicts not listed at time of audition may not be honored.
Click here for the audition form.
Westfield Community Players is a member of New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT). The New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting local theater around the state. The group's core mission is to celebrate outstanding achievements by artists of all disciplines involved in the performance and production of New Jersey Community Theater.
