News Release

BRISTOL — Elkhart Civic Theatre will hold open auditions at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, and Wednesday, March 27, at the Bristol Opera House for its production of “The 39 Steps.” The show will be performed May 17, 18, 19, 24, 25. The production is directed by Demarée Dufour-Noneman, assisted by Marla Miller.

About The Show

Mix an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, and you have “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced whodunit. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning show features comedy, more than 150 zany characters (played by a cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some romance. In “The 39 Steps,” a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When she is murdered, the man soon finds that a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on his trail in a cross-country manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Depending on the auditions, there may be callbacks for certain characters. All audition materials are provided. Physical agility and some capability with accents is strongly preferred. A love story is at the heart of the play. Familiarizing yourself with the source material before the audition is encouraged.
Elkhart Civic Theatre auditions are open to everyone, and no fees are charged for participation. If you want to review a script, call Elkhart Civic Theatre during business hours.

Auditioners are asked to bring to auditions a complete list of schedule conflicts through May 25.

Characters

Richard Hannay: Age range 20s to 50s. Any race or ethnicity. One-half of the leading duo. A classic Hitchcock leading man — suave, dashing and debonaire. He is an artistic soul, a rebel and an everyman capable of unlocking a secret heart filled with will, determination, cunning and vulnerability. The actor selected for this role must demonstrate an adeptness for physical comedy, a strong ability to listen and respond to scene partners, and a good capability to work as an ensemble member.

Annabella/Pamela/Margaret: Age range 20s to 50s. Any race or ethnicity. One-half of the leading duo. The actor must possess excellent physical, emotional and comedic skills and the ability to speak with several accents. The actor selected will play all three roles below, with the possibility of stepping into a clown role or two. Annabella is a brilliant Russian woman who is on the run from spies and is ultimately killed at their hands. A Russian accent is required. Pamela is a quintessential Hitchcock leading lady. She is daring, emotionally and intellectually intelligent, powerful and chic. An English accent is required.
Margaret is a small-town farm worker married to a cruel man. She is eager to see the world and help Richard when he stumbles upon her farm. She is willing to risk the consequences of her abusive husband to follow her heart and gut. A Scottish accent is required.

Clown No. 1 and Clown No. 2: Any age, gender, race or ethnicity. In the style of English music hall tradition and with substantial authority, the clowns must capably execute 150-plus roles with Olympian physical speed, skill and expert comedic timing. Actors shouldn’t feel tied to one track, as implied by more “traditional” casting, nor to the gender of any of the clown roles. Capability with European accents is a plus. These two roles require versatility, stamina and extreme focus. They must also be able to lift certain set pieces and move adroitly throughout the stage and between roles.

Those interested in auditioning but unable to attend a scheduled date can contact Elkhart Civic Theatre staff or the director to find out if an alternative audition time can be accommodated.

Elkhart Civic Theatre receives support from Laura and Jack B. Smith and Gaska Tape, WNIT PBS Michiana, Label Logic Inc. and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.