Monthly Archives: August 2023

The Footlighters, Inc. announces auditions Murder on the Orient Express, Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

Director: Becky Collins
Producers: Alan Masters & Charles McClinon

Auditions

• Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
• Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

Callbacks (if needed)

• Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

This production staff is committed to bringing together a diverse group of people dedicated to bringing this story to life. We encourage performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, abilities, body types, and ages to audition. We hope to unite a group of people looking to enhance the arts in our community. No roles have been precast.

We are committed to the safety of all members of this production. Please bring proof of your COVID-19 Vaccination. We do require that the cast, crew, and production team be fully vaccinated.

Performances: February 15, 2023 – March 3, 2023

Location: The Stained Glass Theatre, 802 York Street, Newport, KY 41071.

What to Prepare
Please sign-up for an audition time. Walk-ins are welcomed but will be assigned to the first available audition slot.

Auditionees will be asked to read sections from the script. Audition packets and sides will be made available before the audition dates so that auditionees will have time to fill out audition forms and prepare sides for the roles for which they are interested in being considered. Many of the characters have strong accents, where appropriate, you may be asked to perform the sides with an accent.

Rehearsals begin in early January but will include some meetings in mid-December for table work and early blocking concepts.

Please contact beckykcollins@gmail.com for any accommodation requests.

Hercule Poirot
Masculine Presenting. 55-65
A famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well deserved reputation.

Monsieur Bouc
Masculine Presenting. 30-59
A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian.

Mary Debenham
Feminine Presenting. 30-40
An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.
*Please note this character kisses the Arbuthnot character

Colonel Arbuthnot / Ratchett
Masculine Presenting. 35-59
One actor will play two roles. Samuel Ratchett: middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, domineering; Colonel Arbuthnot: Scotsman, also middle aged, handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; must have great comic timing.
*Please note this character kisses the Mary character

Hector MacQueen
Masculine Presenting. 30-40
Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.

Michel the Conductor/Marcel
Masculine Presenting. 35-59
One actor will play two roles: Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, about 40, a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite; Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing.

Princess Dragomiroff
Feminine Presenting. 55-79
A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient.

Greta Ohlsson
Feminine Presenting. 25-60
Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.

Countess Andrenyi
Feminine Presenting. 25-39
Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Hungarian accent.

Helen Hubbard
Feminine Presenting. 35-60
An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy and brash; unapologetic; must be an excellent comedienne. *Note this character sings and dances

Voice-Over Roles: Mother, Little Girl, Nanny, Father, Announcer, Radio, The Man
One to two actors will pre-record voice overs. These will be recorded near the end of the rehearsal period in January.