Auditions for Wait Until Dark
By Frederick Knott
Directed by Stewart Lyle
Auditions: November 14 at 7pm
***By appointment only***
Callbacks: November 18 at 7pm
Rehearsals: December 3, 2007 - January 17, 2008 (with time off for holidays)
Performances: January 18 - February 16, 2008. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00. Sundays at 2:00.
Location: Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High Street, Alameda.
[Map]
Non-AEA.
Stipend: $20 per performance weekend ($100 total).
To schedule an audition, email wait-auditions@altarena.org. No phone calls, please.
Audition Material:
Prepare a 2 minute dramatic monologue with a mystery/thriller feeling or delivery. Material from the play is acceptable, but make/take bold, imaginative, and non-obvious choices or risks. Don’t worry about fitting a type—that’s not how the show is being cast. Rather, look to communicate what resonates with you about your material.
Wait Until Dark is set in the 60s, a “more-innocent” and “trusting” time, with the gender roles and stereotypes of the 40s and 50s colliding with new awareness, and demands for equality starting to emerge. There’s definitely a strong current of empowerment for both women and the handicapped running through the play, but its accomplished through deeds, not preaching.
Character Breakdowns:
Suzy: Mid 20s through 40s
Very smart and resourceful, but downplays it, can improvise in tough situations, but has never had to until the accident that blinded her and the events of the play. Very perceptive and sensitive to details, and her blindness has only heightened it. Definitely a planner and organizer, Suzy turns the tables on three experienced con men, and by the end of the play we can see that she is much more than the stereotypes of the day would have her be.
There is definitely the possibility and opportunity for Suzy to be played by a blind or vision-impaired actor. BUT vision-status will only count in casting decisions if it comes to a choice between two equally-capable actors.
Any sighted actor must be comfortable with the idea of spending much of rehearsal blindfolded to get natural and comfortable with Suzy’s world.
Roat: 30s and up. Must also be able to pretend to play his own “father”.
Absolutely affable, smooth, persuasive, and friendly, but absolutely ruthless, cold, and efficient. Definitely a megalomaniac and psychopath, BUT is not a cardboard crazy. Even though he’s “wrong” from the very first, the character must grow and develop into a monster while still remaining someone you’d have no problem sitting next to on the bus or having a pleasant conversation with. He’s the mastermind of the plays events, a master con, and is totally in control util Suzy turns the tables on him, and even then, his confidence and ego have him convinced he’s still in charge.
Mike: 30s and up, but definitely reads younger than Roat
Quick, wise guy, con artist. Could become Roat some day if he gets the chance. He’s not fond of violence but recognizes it has a time and place in his line of work. Aside from Sam (Suzy’s husband), he comes off as the nicest guy in the piece, except for the con he’s trying to pull. Given the right situation, he might just get straight and turn out to be a nice guy.
Carlino: 30’s and up, but reads equal or older than Roat
A real physical presence, not necessarily big, but physically menacing. He has no compunctions about resorting to violence, in fact, he might actually prefer and enjoy it. As a con artist able to pull off elaborate plots, his mental “slowness” could just be part of the con he’s pulling on the world. Roat without the polish, while he’s not a babbling psycho, we should feel there’s something wrong about this guy from the first.
Sam: 20s to 40s, Suzy’s contemporary
Met Suzy when she was learning how to cross the street after her accident and he saved her. Definitely a loving husband and devoted, we learn this through the little things he does for her amongst the rush of his work and trying to help Suzy learn to deal with her still-new blindness. Hence he seems brusk, and sometimes short with her, but it becomes clear that this is just him doing what they’ve together agreed is his role in helping and loving her. He’s an interesting combination of artistic type (photographer) and real detail obsessive.
Gloria:12 up to 18 (playing younger)
Really precocious, but very quick to figure things out, like a younger, less experienced Suzy. In fact, the complicated combination of friction and cooperation between her and Suzy is because they really are two versions of the same person. Hence, while Suzy won’t let Gloria get away with anything, she also gives Gloria the respect, expectation, and understanding that Gloria doesn’t get elsewhere.
This is a real acting opportunity for a teen or pre-teen actor.
Two Policemen: Will be doubled by the actors who play Carlino and Mike
To schedule an audition, email wait-auditions@altarena.org. No phone calls, please.
