“THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG”
AUDITIONS

Auditions: Sunday, February 15th from 5:00pm-7:00pm or 7:00pm-9:00pm and Monday, February 16th from 6:00-9:00pm at The Keeton. With callbacks on Wednesday, February 18th.

The Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike Nashville 37214.

Everyone will do cold readings from the script. Please sign up for an audition night here.

We encourage diverse casting!

Performance Dates: Shows run April 10th -26th for 11 performances. Rehearsals will begin no later than March 2nd.

If you have any questions, please contact the director, Erin Grace Bailey at eringrace.arts@gmail.com.

SYNOPSIS

Welcome to the opening night of the Conley Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!

*Please note: This is a physically demanding show. Most roles will require varying amounts of crawling, climbing, lifting, running, and/or falling.

Character Breakdown

CHRIS

(Any gender, age 30+)
Head of the drama society and plays Inspector Carter in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” Rigid, uptight. Everything really matters because they are the director of the show and this is the biggest day of their life. It is a nerve-wracking and exciting night because everything is riding on this show’s success. Their agony is evident as things go awry, and every time someone laughs, the pain deepens. They have equal amounts of contempt for their fellow actors and the audience watching the play. Speaks with a British accent.

ROBERT
(Male, age 25+)
Plays Thomas Collamore in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” Wants to be like Richard Burton as evidence by his declamatory style. He is, however, not a parody of a bad actor. He is unaware of others around him, does not feel badly when things go wrong, and never learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Conley Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert). Seeking an actor with real vocal power. Speaks with a British accent.

MAX
(Male, 18+)
Plays Cecil Haversham in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” He has never been on stage before. He learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do. He has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh, he breaks the fourth wall and engages with the audience. Childlike and Naive. His mistakes are fundamental. He doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval. Speaks with a British accent.

DENNIS/DENISE
(Any gender, 20+)
Plays the butler, Perkins in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” They have no real desire to be involved in the theatre. They just want to make friends (of which they have none). They believe that if they do well in the show, they will be more successful socially. Laughter from the audience is agony for them. They may be slightly oblivious but understands when they get things wrong. The laughter is personal tragedy/failure. Speaks with a British accent.

TREVOR
(Male 20+)
The play’s lighting and sound operator. He simply wants to get on with the show. Doesn’t care for the actors. He is easily distracted and does many things he shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience. When things go really sideways, he is forced to act in the play, and he hates acting. Speaks with an American accent.

JONATHAN
(Male 20+)
Plays Charles Haversham in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” A bit bland but sees himself as a James Bond type. Excited and having fun, but not naive. He technically must drive the show. He cares about the play, but not to the same extent as others. Very physical role. Speaks in a British accent.

SANDRA
(Female 20+)
Plays Florence Colleymoore in “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” She is vain and has a huge ego. Wants to be adored. She has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants, but she’s smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her. The stakes are high for her. Very physical role. Speaks with a British accent.

ANNIE

(Female 20+)

The stage manager. She has the biggest journey of any of the characters. When Sandra is indisposed, Annie, who cannot bear to be on stage, must step in. Initially terrified by acting, she is willing to kill for it by the end of the play. Her initial terror turns to joy and then to fury. She starts small but grows and grows. Speaks with an American accent.

2-3 CREW ENSEMBLE
(Men or Women, 18+)
In addition to named characters, there will also be a small chorus that will function as a run crew to make the special effects happen and have some stage time in specific scenes.

If you have any questions, please contact the director, Erin Grace Bailey at eringrace.arts@gmail.com.