Auditions | Old Schoolhouse Play

Auditions take place in The Bud Allison Memorial Auditorium at the Mt. Pleasant Community Center located at 20 Wabash Ave., Hickory, PA.

Auditions for It Runs in the Family by Ray Cooney,

will be held on Friday January 9, 6-9PM, and Saturday January 10, 12-3PM

Directed by Angelica Bondy (Angbondy@gmail.com)

Show Dates: February 20-22, 27-March 1;

Audition Dates: Friday January 9, 6-9PM, and Saturday January 10, 12-3PM

Synopsis: Britain's master farceur (Two Into One, Run For Your Wife, et al. ) is at it again. Set in a hospital, It Runs in the Family contains the usual assortment of farcical nuts running in and out of doors mistaking everybody for someone else, as Dr. Mortimore tries to fend off a paternity suit, an ex wife, a punkish son and various other lunatics so that he may, at last, deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference.

Rehearsal Process: First rehearsal/read-through tentatively set for January 14th.

Audition Process: Cold reads from the script. Prep your best British accent.

Character Breakdown: Four Women/Seven Men

DR. DAVID MORTIMORE
DR. MIKE CONNOLLY
ROSEMARY MORTIMORE
DR. HUBERT BONNEY
MATRON
SIR WILLOUGHBY DRAKE
JANE TATE
SISTER
LESLIE
POLICE SERGEANT
BILL
MOTHER

Directed by Michael VanNewkirk (mjavn24@icloud.com)

Show Dates: April 24-May 3 (Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm)

Audition Dates: Saturday January 24, 1-3 PM & Sunday January 25, 1-3 PM

What to Prepare: 16-32 bars of an upbeat song.

Please bring your own sheet music and come prepared to cold read pieces from the shows with a British accent.

Synopsis: When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind....

Rehearsal Process: TBA

Character Breakdown:

Montague "Monty" Navarro: Handsome, clever, charismatic, vulnerable and endearing. Discovers he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst, and intends to kill off the family that stands in his way. Gender: male Vocal range top: Bb4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2

The D'Ysquith Family: (The following are played by one character)

*Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr., a dandy
*Lord Adlabert D'Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst
*Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith, a clergyman
*Lord Adlabert D'Ysquith, Sr., an elderly banker
*Henry D'Ysquith, a country squire
*Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith, a benefactress
*Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith, a bodybuilder
*Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pumphrey, an actress
*Chauncey D'Ysquith, a janitor

* These roles all played by one actor; Gender: male Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2

Phoebe D'Ysquith: Monty's cousin. Gender: female Vocal range top: B5 Vocal range bottom: F#3

Sibella Hallward: The girl Monty loves. Gender: female Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: F#3

Miss Shingle: Monty's unexpected visitor. Gender: female Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: D#3

Ensemble of 6

WOMAN #1: Mourner; Tour Guide; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Pub Owner's Wife; Mrs. Pebworth; Phoebe's Maid; 3rd Newsboy; Tailor; Selina Chard (Servant); Flower Girl

WOMAN #2: Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Bridesmaid; Mrs. Hetherington; 4th Newsboy; Tailor; Lady Eugenia D'Qsquith; Flower Girl

WOMAN #3: Mourner; Sibella's Maid; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Miss Evangeline Barley; Bridesmaid; Miss Hayes; Tailor; Hilda (Servant); Flower Girl

MAN #1: Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; 2nd Clerk; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Tom Copley; Dr. Brownlee; 1st Newsboy; Weight Lifter; 3rd Actor; Ancestral Bust; Walter (Servant); Dr. Pettibone (Medical Examiner); Prison Guard

MAN #2: Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; 1st Clerk; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Pub Owner; Mr. Cross; 2nd Newsboy; Weight Lifter; 1st Actor; Lord Asquith's Physician; Ancestral Bust; Mr. Waters (Servant); Chief Inspector Pinckney

MAN #3: Mourner; Tourist; Ancestral Portrait; Skater; Tailor; Groomsman; Pub Patron; Henry's Employee; Mr. Goodsall; 2nd Actor; Alfred Gorby (Butler); Lord High Steward (voiceover); Magistrate

Directed by Brian Nath (tonyfan25@yahoo.com) and Gianna Tress (gianna.m.dino@gmail.com)

Audition Dates: Saturday January 24, 10 AM-12 PM and Sunday January 25, 3-5 PM

What to Prepare: 16-32 bars of an upbeat song. Please bring your own sheet music and come prepared to cold read pieces from the shows with a British accent.

Show Dates: July 31-August 9 (Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm)

Synopsis: When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities, but after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.

Rehearsal Process: TBA

Character Breakdown: (Prep your best British Accent) 11 to 20 performers

Ladahlord

A strange, magical storyteller. Often inserts himself into the story, in disguise, to help push the action forward.

Gender: male; Age: 25 to 55; Vocal range top: A4; Vocal range bottom: Bb2

James: A lonely young boy who lacks confidence. Having lost both his parents in a freak accident, he feels he belongs nowhere in the world. However, when given the right encouragement he becomes resourceful and innovative. A good friend.

Gender: male; Age: 7 to 15; Vocal range top: G5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Spiker: James' mean aunt. A thief and a scoundrel. Shrewd and opportunistic. Very tall and thin.

Gender: female; Age: 30 to 60; Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: F#3

Sponge: James' other mean aunt. Also a thief and a scoundrel, but not nearly as bright as her sister. Very corpulent, she often has her mind on food.

Gender: female; Age: 30 to 60; Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: F#3

Spider

A normal spider who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Her husband was killed and eaten by Spiker and Sponge. She is warm and friendly to James. This actor also plays Woman with Purse and Reporter 1.

Gender: female; Age: 20 to 40; Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Green Grasshopper

A wizened grasshopper who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. An excellent musician. Has his eye on Ladybug. This actor also plays Man with Wallet and Garden Guild.

Gender: male; Age: 20 to 40; Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: C3

Centipede

An ornery centipede who becomes human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Hates humans, in part because Spiker and Sponge fumigated his family. Prickly and rude, everyone thinks he is a pest. This actor also plays Buzz, the Hollywood agent.

Gender: male; Age: 20 to 40; Vocal range top: G4; Vocal range bottom: C3

Ladybug

A motherly ladybug who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. Respectable and classy, she has a warm, caring heart. Has her eye on Grasshopper. This actor also plays Matron Nurse and Reporter.

Gender: female; Age: 30 to 60; Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: G3

Earthworm

An earthworm who has become human-sized after eating a crocodile tongue. A bit of a scaredy-cat. He is neurotic and worried about everything, but is very friendly and brave when called upon. This actor also plays Bobby Cop and Bitzi Botana.

Gender: male; Age: 25 to 50; Vocal range top: A4; Vocal range bottom: C2

Ensemble: Crowd, Karl Kreatour, Reporters, Vagrants, Garden Guild, Bobby-Cops, Willy Wonka, Oompa Loompas, Hollywood Agents, Seaugulls, New Yorkers.

Gender: any

Directed by Marcus Muzopappa (mzpappa@hky.com)

Show Dates: October 9-11, 16-18

Audition Dates: TBA

Synopsis: After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. This record-breaking murder mystery features a brilliant surprise finish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time.

Rehearsal Process: TBA

Character Breakdown: (Prep your best British Accent) Four Women/Seven Men

MOLLIE RALSTON – A newlywed who has inherited Monkswell Manor and has opened it as a guesthouse with her husband. A hospitable and warm, if slightly naive, hostess and cook.

GILES RALSTON – The more cautious proprietor of Monkswell Manor. Supportive of his wife, but less thrilled to run a guesthouse. A traditional gentleman who’s quick to judge his guests.

CHRISTOPHER WREN – A young architect with a flamboyant and often inappropriate sense of humor. His energetic conversation can appear both lighthearted and sinister.

MRS. BOYLE – A retiree whose acerbic tone makes her a challenging guest. Strong-willed and uncompromising, with high expectations. Pleased only when expressing disappointment.

MAJOR METCALF – An affable guest who is willing to help his hosts cope with the consequences of the snowstorm. Retired from the army, steady and calm in the face of conflict.

MISS CASEWELL – A modern and somewhat aloof young woman travelling on business. Unwilling to discuss private matters and disinterested in the opinion of her fellow guests.

MR. PARAVICINI – A roguish gentleman who is not forthcoming about his reasons for being there. Delights in the guests’ uncertainty and pays particular attention to his hostess, Mollie.

DETECTIVE SGT. TROTTER – The young detective assigned to reach Monkswell Manor and report on the situation as it unfolds. Determined and authoritative in his pursuit of the truth.

Directed by Cindy Berg

Show Dates: December 4 - 13, 2026

Auditions are not currently planned for this show. If you are interested in acting in one of our other musicals this year, and would like to be considered for Emmet Otter, please check the box at the end of the online audition form for Gentleman's Guide and James & the Giant Peach.

If you are interested in being an actor, puppeteer, or supporting this show technically, please send your theater resume to info@osptheater.com.

Synopsis: Regional Premiere! Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas brings the beloved Jim Henson television special to life, live on stage. Hailed by The New York Times for its “superb score” by Academy Award–winning songwriter Paul Williams, this nostalgic tale takes us to Frogtown Hollow, where Ma and Emmet Otter risk what little they have to make each other’s holiday dreams come true. This very merry musical is a heartwarming celebration perfect for the entire family.

It’s three days before Christmas and Mayor Fox has just announced a Christmas talent contest with a grand prize of fifty dollars! Meanwhile, times are tough for Ma and Emmet Otter since Pa passed away, and winning that prize money would allow them to secretly buy each other a Christmas gift. Emmet considers forming a jug-band with his friends, but in order to do that he’ll have to put a hole in Ma’s washtub. The problem is, Ma earns money by doing other folks’ laundry in the washtub. Ma thinks about hocking Pa’s old toolbox so she can make a costume for the contest, but Emmet uses those tools to do odd jobs. As Christmas Eve and the talent contest quickly approach, will Ma and Emmet sacrifice what little they have, or will their Christmas wishes come true?

Rehearsal Process: TBA

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Gentlemen's Guide... Auditions will be held Saturday January 24, 1-3 PM and Sunday January 25, 1-3 PM

James and the Giant Peach Auditions will be held Saturday January 24, 10 AM-12 PM and Sunday January 25, 3-5 PM

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The Old Schoolhouse Theater is an equal opportunity, nonprofit organization committed to serving a diverse population. OSP does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, citizenship status, veteran status or the presence of any disability in the administration of its policies, admissions, employment, volunteers, programs, contract services or activities. We see you & welcome all who come through our doors.