murder on the orient express
AUDITION INFORMATION
THEATER 121 ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Audition Dates
Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 3-7pm (children: 3-4 pm; adults: 4-7pm)
Monday, February 17, 2020 from 7-10pm
Callbacks (by invitation only) – Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 7-10pm
Rehearsal and Performance Dates
February 23 – April 16, 2020
Rehearsal space location is TBD
Rehearsals: Sundays 3:45-7pm; Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursdays 6:45-10p
Tech Week: April 12 – 16
Performances: April 17 th – May 3 rd , 2020; 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm Sundays (9 shows)
Please do not audition if you cannot make all tech rehearsals and performances
What to prepare for the Auditions
To obtain an audition packet please email Beverley at theatre121producers@gmail.com. The audition packet includes everything you need for the audition. Please come prepared with two monologues from the selections in the packet. Please choose two different characters. Memorization is not required but is preferred. You must be 18 years or older to audition for play, however we will be casting one child as Daisy Armstrong for a brief, filmed appearance in the opening of the show.
The child cast as Daisy Armstrong will not need to attend regular rehearsals and will not appear live in the performances. This is a filmed role only that will be shown at each performance.
Those auditioning for Mrs. Hubbard will need to sing the chorus of “SWANEE” by Al Jolson at auditions:
Swanee,
How I love ya
How I love ya, my dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I-E-
Even though my mammy's
Waiting for me
Praying for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to that Swanee shore
No accompanist will be present. Auditionees will sing a cappella.
Children auditioning for Daisy Armstrong will be given sides to read and do not need to come with a monologue prepared.
What to bring to the Auditions
Those who audition must fill out Murder on the Orient Express Audition Form on the night you audition
or print one and fill it out prior to coming to the audition.
Characters
Hercule Poirot (Belgian, 40s - 60s) World famous detective, meticulous, witty, oddly charismatic in his
own way, slightly pompous, passionately driven to find the answers, strong moral compass, very aware of his ability and his well-deserved reputation.
Monsieur Bouc (Belgian, 30s - 50s) Director of Wagon-Lit, the train company that owns the Orient
Express, a good-humored man, playful, generous, proud, an excellent host with a love of luxury and
grandeur.
Mary Debenham (British, 20s - 40s) A governess, capable yet romantic, anxious about her journey on
the Orient Express, there is a sadness around her eyes, clearly has a secret and an unknown relationship to Colonel Arbuthnot.
Hector MacQueen (American, 20s - 50s) Secretary and assistant to Samuel Ratchett, tightly wound, edgy and nervous, always seems to be on the verge of falling apart.
Michel, the Conductor (French, 30s - 50s) Polite, hard-working, happy to have a good position on the
Orient Express, eager to please.
Princess Dragomiroff (Russian, 40s - 70s) Royalty, a sweeping, impressive presence, intimidating,
impatient, everyone knows when she enters the room.
Greta Ohlsson (Swedish, 20s - 40s) Missionary, inherently odd, very strict and religiously devout, plain
with a sheepish, almost frightened quality, Princess Dragomiroff is paying her way in exchange for
helping her on her journey.
Countess Andrenyi (Hungarian, 20s - 40s) Beautifully and exquisitely dressed, like something out of a
fairy tale, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets, intelligent.
Helen Hubbard (American, 40s - 70s) Eccentric, bold and outspoken with a touch of flamboyance, from
the American Midwest, jovial, deliciously nosy and brash, often flirtatious, she can talk to anyone, even if they don’t want to listen.
Colonel Arbuthnot (Scottish, 20s - 40s) Handsome, very matter of fact, clearly has a secret and an
unknown connection to Mary Debenham, he enjoys the sense of adventure that the Orient Express
provides, takes charge when he needs to.
Samuel Ratchett (American, 40s - 60s) American businessman with a gangster’s edge, evil at heart and frightening, unforgiving, stern demeanor, pushy, domineering.
Head Waiter (Turkish, 20s - 50s) Snooty and smooth, a (phony) name dropper.
Daisy Armstrong (American, stage age 3 - 6) Little girl who was murdered several years before the
events of the play take place. Featured in a film used to open the show. Will not be required to appear
on stage in performances.
ADDITIONAL CASTING NOTES:
It is possible – but not definitive – that the actor playing Colonel Arbuthnot may double as Samuel
Ratchett and the actor playing Michel, the Conductor may double as Head Waiter.
Also, we will be casting an additional 6-8 people as bellhops, maids, waiters, and other various staff on
the train. We are looking for people with some minor movement ability to facilitate the choreographed
movements of the set pieces. Three of these actors will be cast as the Mother, Father, and Nanny
featured in the opening of the show, along with Daisy Armstrong, in a film that will be used as a
flashback sequence to open the show.
About the Show
Dramatic Comedy. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious
train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by morning it is one passenger fewer. An American
tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated
and with a killer in their midst, Detective Hercule Poirot, in the greatest case of his career, must identify the murderer before he or she decides to strike again.
Audition Dates
Sunday, February 16, 2020 from 3-7pm (children: 3-4 pm; adults: 4-7pm)
Monday, February 17, 2020 from 7-10pm
Callbacks (by invitation only) – Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 7-10pm
Rehearsal and Performance Dates
February 23 – April 16, 2020
Rehearsal space location is TBD
Rehearsals: Sundays 3:45-7pm; Mondays, Tuesday, and Thursdays 6:45-10p
Tech Week: April 12 – 16
Performances: April 17 th – May 3 rd , 2020; 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm Sundays (9 shows)
Please do not audition if you cannot make all tech rehearsals and performances
What to prepare for the Auditions
To obtain an audition packet please email Beverley at theatre121producers@gmail.com. The audition packet includes everything you need for the audition. Please come prepared with two monologues from the selections in the packet. Please choose two different characters. Memorization is not required but is preferred. You must be 18 years or older to audition for play, however we will be casting one child as Daisy Armstrong for a brief, filmed appearance in the opening of the show.
The child cast as Daisy Armstrong will not need to attend regular rehearsals and will not appear live in the performances. This is a filmed role only that will be shown at each performance.
Those auditioning for Mrs. Hubbard will need to sing the chorus of “SWANEE” by Al Jolson at auditions:
Swanee,
How I love ya
How I love ya, my dear old Swanee
I'd give the world to be
Among the folks in D-I-X-I-E-
Even though my mammy's
Waiting for me
Praying for me
Down by the Swanee
The folks up north will see me no more
When I go to that Swanee shore
No accompanist will be present. Auditionees will sing a cappella.
Children auditioning for Daisy Armstrong will be given sides to read and do not need to come with a monologue prepared.
What to bring to the Auditions
Those who audition must fill out Murder on the Orient Express Audition Form on the night you audition
or print one and fill it out prior to coming to the audition.
Characters
Hercule Poirot (Belgian, 40s - 60s) World famous detective, meticulous, witty, oddly charismatic in his
own way, slightly pompous, passionately driven to find the answers, strong moral compass, very aware of his ability and his well-deserved reputation.
Monsieur Bouc (Belgian, 30s - 50s) Director of Wagon-Lit, the train company that owns the Orient
Express, a good-humored man, playful, generous, proud, an excellent host with a love of luxury and
grandeur.
Mary Debenham (British, 20s - 40s) A governess, capable yet romantic, anxious about her journey on
the Orient Express, there is a sadness around her eyes, clearly has a secret and an unknown relationship to Colonel Arbuthnot.
Hector MacQueen (American, 20s - 50s) Secretary and assistant to Samuel Ratchett, tightly wound, edgy and nervous, always seems to be on the verge of falling apart.
Michel, the Conductor (French, 30s - 50s) Polite, hard-working, happy to have a good position on the
Orient Express, eager to please.
Princess Dragomiroff (Russian, 40s - 70s) Royalty, a sweeping, impressive presence, intimidating,
impatient, everyone knows when she enters the room.
Greta Ohlsson (Swedish, 20s - 40s) Missionary, inherently odd, very strict and religiously devout, plain
with a sheepish, almost frightened quality, Princess Dragomiroff is paying her way in exchange for
helping her on her journey.
Countess Andrenyi (Hungarian, 20s - 40s) Beautifully and exquisitely dressed, like something out of a
fairy tale, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets, intelligent.
Helen Hubbard (American, 40s - 70s) Eccentric, bold and outspoken with a touch of flamboyance, from
the American Midwest, jovial, deliciously nosy and brash, often flirtatious, she can talk to anyone, even if they don’t want to listen.
Colonel Arbuthnot (Scottish, 20s - 40s) Handsome, very matter of fact, clearly has a secret and an
unknown connection to Mary Debenham, he enjoys the sense of adventure that the Orient Express
provides, takes charge when he needs to.
Samuel Ratchett (American, 40s - 60s) American businessman with a gangster’s edge, evil at heart and frightening, unforgiving, stern demeanor, pushy, domineering.
Head Waiter (Turkish, 20s - 50s) Snooty and smooth, a (phony) name dropper.
Daisy Armstrong (American, stage age 3 - 6) Little girl who was murdered several years before the
events of the play take place. Featured in a film used to open the show. Will not be required to appear
on stage in performances.
ADDITIONAL CASTING NOTES:
It is possible – but not definitive – that the actor playing Colonel Arbuthnot may double as Samuel
Ratchett and the actor playing Michel, the Conductor may double as Head Waiter.
Also, we will be casting an additional 6-8 people as bellhops, maids, waiters, and other various staff on
the train. We are looking for people with some minor movement ability to facilitate the choreographed
movements of the set pieces. Three of these actors will be cast as the Mother, Father, and Nanny
featured in the opening of the show, along with Daisy Armstrong, in a film that will be used as a
flashback sequence to open the show.
About the Show
Dramatic Comedy. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious
train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by morning it is one passenger fewer. An American
tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated
and with a killer in their midst, Detective Hercule Poirot, in the greatest case of his career, must identify the murderer before he or she decides to strike again.
APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY.
QUESTIONS: For a full audition packet and if any further information is needed please feel free to contact the producers Alex Fayer & Amanda Beverley at theatre121producers@gmail.com
QUESTIONS: For a full audition packet and if any further information is needed please feel free to contact the producers Alex Fayer & Amanda Beverley at theatre121producers@gmail.com
DOWNLOAD AUDITION FORM
| theatre_121_basic_audition_form_2.docx |