"Arsenic and Old Lace" Auditions Directed by: Tiffany Dinsmore
Audition Dates: Sunday, July 28 & Monday, July 29 at 7 pm
Performance dates: November 1-2, 6-9 at 8 pm; November 3 and 10 at 3 pm
Rehearsal Days: Rehearsals will begin mid-September.
No conflicts after October 20
Auditions will be at Cottingham Theatre on the campus of Columbia College (1301 Columbia College Dr).
If you are unable to attend either night of auditions but still want to audition, please email
workshoptheatreofsc1@gmail.com.
WHAT TO PREPARE: Actors should prepare a one to two minute comedic monologue. During auditions they may be asked to do a cold read of a scene as well. We are looking for actors that are ready for a fast-paced, character-based theater experience, where physical humor, period immersion and comedic timing will enhance the wit of the script.
SYNOPSIS: Mortimer Brewster is living a happy life: he has a steady job at a prominent New York newspaper, he’s just become engaged, and he gets to visit his sweet spinster aunts to announce the engagement. Mortimer always knew that his family had a bit of a mad gene -- his brother believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt and his great-grandfather used to scalp Indians for pleasure -- but his world is turned upside down when he realizes that his dear aunts have been poisoning lonely old men for years! When Mortimer’s maniacal brother, Jonathan. (who strangely now resembles Boris Karloff) returns on the night that the aunts were planning to bury the newest victim, Mortimer must rally to help his aunts and protect his fiancé -- all while trying to keep his own sanity. as well. An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, Arsenic and Old Lace has become a favorite amongst regional theatres throughout America.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS: Mortimer Brewster - age 23-45, Lead, male presenting, Theater critic, happy and confident in the world and his place in it, about to be married, until everything falls apart as elements of his family and their actions come to light
Jonathan Brewster - age 30-50, Lead, male presenting, Scary, dominant personality, constantly threatening, looks like boris karloff, gets thrown off kilter by his Aunts and their activities
Abby Brewster - age 55-75, Lead, female presenting, All appearances of a kindly, somewhat forgetful, sweet old Auntie, but she has some very definitive opinions and complicated layers
Martha Brewster - age 65-85, Lead, female presenting, All appearances of a kindly, loving, giving, old Auntie, but she also has nuanced elements of something darker
Dr. Einstein - age 45-60, Lead, male presenting, A sidekick with a medical degree, he is party to and comfortable with Jonathan’s dark tendencies, his driving force often is fear
Teddy Brewster - age 32-60, Supporting, male presenting, He thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt and all interactions stem from that delusion, that delusion is used, abused, tolerated and encouraged at different moments by different characters
Elaine Harper - age 20-40, Supporting role, female presenting, Mortimer’s love interest, she is kept in the dark as things unfold with his family, their love is tested by the chaos, her understanding of the man she loves changes amid confusion as to his actions
Offcer Brophy - any age (Cameo) The ?rst police o?cer we meet in the show, Brophy is the thoroughly likable sort. They are making their rounds collecting Christmas toys for the needy.
Offcer Klein - any age (Cameo) A ?atfoot Brooklyn o?cer who makes their rounds with O?cer Brophy collecting Christmas toys.
Offcer O’Hara - any age (Cameo) O?cer O’Hara is the quintessential example of an Irish-American police o?cer: Full of life, good natured and played big. He/she is on very good terms with the Aunts. O’Hara is a would-be playwright, and needs to plainly display the nagging, persistent drive that’s kindled within him/her once he/she discovers that Mortimer is a famous dramatic critic. Well intentioned, O’Hara really doesn’t mean to come across as annoying as he/she does.
Rev. Harper - Small role, non-gender specific, Parent of Elaine, Reverend of nearby church, conservative, God-fearing, does not completely approve of Mortimer for their daughter
Mr. Gibbs - Small role, Lonely older gentleman.
Mr. Witherspoon - Head of Happy Dale sanitarium, another lonely old gentleman
SYNOPSIS: