Auditions for High Springs Playhouse 2022 – 2023 Season
Edgar Allan Poe’s
“The Fall of the House of Usher”
Adapted by Jack Neary
SHOW DATES: October 7 – 30, 2022
Audition Dates: July 31 & August 1 @ 7pm
Directed by Jennifer Applebee
An exciting adaptation of the classic Poe tale, re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion.
Character Descriptions :
Detective Michael Shaughnessy (M/40+) Works and lives in Boston, MA. He is first generation American, but the trace of his mother’s brogue will remain with him throughout his life. Honest, blunt, with 1930s detective flair.
James Brookfield (M/25-35) Works and lives in New York, NY as a thriller/mystery writer. Childhood friend of Usher family. Visits Boston at the request of his longtime friend. Outgoing and honorable.
Preparation for Auditions:
Please prepare 2 minute monologue to showcase upon request. Auditions will mainly consist of cold readings from the script.
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Auditions will be held at the High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE 1st Ave. (use for GPS navigation), High Springs, FL 32643
Rehearsals are typically weekday evenings but may vary by director. Show dates are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
The High Springs Playhouse is a ‘Community Theater’ and we encourage anyone to audition for our season productions. Experience in theater is not required. We welcome theater enthusiasts from all walks of life.
When planning to audition for an HSP production, please consider researching the particular play to see which role(s) you would be interested in and to have an understanding of the story being told. Performers should plan on providing basic information about themselves to the show director and production staff and may be asked to ‘read for’ various roles during the audition. If possible, please print out the Audition Form below and bring it to the audition already filled out with your information.
