Albright Theatre to hold auditions for Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'
Albright Theatre Company will hold auditions for "The Importance of Being Earnest" at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, and Monday, March 6, on the third floor of the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Callbacks may be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, by invitation only.
Jack lives a double life as Ernest, whom he passes off as his ne'er-do-well brother living in London. His double life quickly catches up to him and his close friend Algernon, who also employs a secret identity. The two men must now own up to the truth or risk losing it all. Oscar Wilde's funniest, wittiest, and most famous play still rings true today, showing how important it is to be earnest. Rated PG. "The Importance of Being Earnest" will be directed by Ric Holloman.
The cast will include five men (25-60) and four women (18-60). Note: Actors are welcome to audition for opposite-gender roles.
Character descriptions (age ranges are suggestions only):
• John "Jack" Worthing: Protagonist. Uncomfortable in aristocratic society, lives in the country but has invented a wicked brother named "Ernest" whose scrapes require Jack's attendance in the city. (male or female, 25-35)
• Algernon Moncrief: Jack's close friend, a hedonist who lives in the city but has invented a friend named "Bunbury" whose status as a permanent invalid allows Algernon to visit the countryside whenever he pleases. (male or female, 25-35)
• Gwendolen Fairfax: Algernon's cousin, and the object of Jack's romantic attention. Returns his love but appears self-centered and flighty, desires nothing but to marry someone named Ernest. (female, 18-25)
• Cecily Cardew: Jack's ward, who lives with him in the country. Young and pretty. Favored by Algernon, who pretends to be Jack's brother Ernest. Like Gwendolen, she is only interested in marrying a man named Ernest. (female, 18-25)
• Lady Bracknell: Algernon's haughty aunt, who embodies typical Victorian sensibilities. Does not allow her daughter Gwendolen to marry Jack when she finds out he is an orphan, and dislikes Cecily as a mate for her nephew Algernon until she learns that Cecily is wealthy. (male or female, 40-60)
• Rev. Canon Chasuble: A rector who frequently visits Jack's country house to see Miss Prism. Though he is celibate, he seems well matched for the educated Miss Prism. (male, 40-60)
• Miss Prism: Cecily's governess. Obviously loves Chasuble, though the fact that he is a priest prohibits her from telling him so directly. (female, 40-60)
• Lane: Algernon's butler. Delivers a number of droll lines which show that he is far from a passive servant. (male, 40-60)
• Merriman: Jack's butler. (male, 40-60)
Audition information can also be found at www.albrighttheatre.com/auditions.
Performance dates for "The Importance of Being Earnest" are April 28-30, May 5-7, 12-13. It is rated PG. For information, contact (630) 406-8838 or visit www.albrighttheatre.com. Follow @AlbrightTheatre on Twitter for more updates.
The rehearsal schedule will be determined by the director and is subject to the availability of the confirmed cast and crew. The Albright Theatre Company is a nonprofit organization that is membership driven and relies upon volunteer actors.