AUDITIONS: Jane Austen’s EMMA

AUDITION NOTICE:

TITLE: Jane Austen’s EMMA

AUTHOR: Adapted by Michael Bloom from the novel by Jane Austen

DIRECTOR: Lauren Velasco

RUN: November 4th – Dec. 2nd, 2023

Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. 

Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events. No benefit performance will be on Thanksgiving.

This is a volunteer community theater production.  Non-Equity.  There is no pay. 

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Monday, September 11th and Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 

(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions.)

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse 

 Callbacks: By Invitation Only.

Date: Wednesday, September 13th

Times: 7pm – 10pm

REHEARSALS:

First Read-Through: Saturday, Sept. 16th, 2023

Time: Noon – 3pm

Regular Rehearsals: Starting Sept. 18th, 2023

Sundays: 6pm – 9pm

Mondays – Thursdays: 7pm – 10pm

Possible rehearsal on Saturday Oct 21st: 10am – 12pm

Open to work with conflicts except for tech dates and performances. Not everyone will be called every day.

(Please see the beginning rehearsal schedule BELOW for specific dates and times.)

Location: Long Beach Playhouse

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring a headshot and resume. 

Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions.

British accents are required for all characters. 

Non-traditional casting welcome: open to all races, genders, and ages.

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

This adaptation of Jane Austin’s classic novel Emma is the story of a bright but proud young woman who believes she has a gift for matchmaking. Set in the Regency era, this story follows the romantic misadventures that arise from Emma’s miscalculations and the humbling lessons which come with growing up.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

NOTE: Non-traditional casting welcome: open to all races, genders, and ages. 

Some roles may be double-cast as household servants.

MISS EMMA WOODHOUSE (F, early 20s) An accomplished, intelligent, clever, stubborn, and sophisticated woman whose vanity lies in her confidence that she is always right. She has good intentions but also loves to play games with the lives of those she cares about. (Part requires a British accent.)

MR. GEORGE KNIGHTLY (M, mid 30s – early 40s) A witty, rational, and charitable gentleman who always maintains a sense of integrity. He is dear friends with the Woodhouse family. He is the only one that manages to stand up to Emma and eventually falls in love with her. (Part requires a British accent.)

MR. HENRY WOODHOUSE (M, 50s – 70s) Emma’s endlessly worried father. He is a homebody to a fault and resists any sort of change. He is a doting father to Emma and is blind to any faults she may have. (Part requires a British accent.)

MISS HARRIET SMITH (F, 18 + to play 17) A soft and naïve young woman who adores Emma. She is an orphan living at the local boarding school. She is uncertain in her own mind and seeks approval. (Part requires a British accent.)

MRS. ANNE WESTON (F, 30s – 50s) Emma’s former governess and Mr. Weston’s new wife. Her former name was Miss Anne Taylor. She is a close friend of Emma’s. She is a kind woman that essentially raised Emma and was perhaps a bit too indulgent with her. (Part requires a British accent.)

MR. WESTON (M, 50s – 60’s) The kind, cheerful, optimistic, and easy-going neighbor of the Woodhouse family. He is the father of Frank Churchill from an earlier marriage wherein his first wife passed away. (Part requires a British accent.)

MR. PHILIP ELTON (M, mid 20’s) The ambitious rector of Highbury. He possesses an air of self-importance and is seeking the right marriage to climb the social ladder. (Part requires a British accent.)

MR. ROBERT MARTIN (M, mid 20s) A shy, straightforward young farmer in love with Harriet Smith. He is not the most sophisticated of men, but very capable. (Part requires a British accent.)

MISS BATES (F, 40s-60s) A unmarried woman who others would describe as a spinster. She is not particularly clever and she is overly talkative, but she’s very warm-hearted. She lives in genteel poverty with her sickly mother. (Part requires a British accent.)

JANE FAIRFAX (F, early 20s) The niece of Miss Bates who comes to visit Highbury.  She is an accomplished, talented, gracious, and beautiful young woman. (Part requires a British accent.)

FRANK CHURCHILL (M, early 20s) The son of Mr. Weston. He is charming, well-mannered, and handsome. He was raised by his aunt and is visiting Highbury for the first time. (Part requires a British accent.)

MRS. AUGUSTA ELTON (F, 20s-30s) Her former name was Miss Augusta Hawkins.  A vain, superficial, and well-to-do woman who marries Mr. Elton. (Part requires a British accent.)

BEGINNING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: