Author Archives: robbucher

Open audition notice for WEDNESDAY’S CHILD by Mark St. Germain

Auditions will be held Tue & Wed, Sep 5 & 6, 2023, starting at 7:00 pm both nights.

Production dates: November 3-19, 2023

The Dayton Theatre Guild at the Caryl D. Philip TheatreScape
430 Wayne Ave, Dayton OH, 45410

Directed by K.L.Storer
Produced by Scott Madden

WEDNESDAY’S CHILD is a fast-paced thriller, murder mystery, and more. Susan and Martin Merrit are unable to have a child on their own, so they hire Becca Connor to serve as a surrogate. When Becca is found dead, a police investigation explodes the lives of everyone who knew her. As Detectives Valez and Dixon begin to put the pieces together, secrets surface, alibis weaken, and lies are uncovered. This dramatic play explores motherhood, passion, and that thin line between right and wrong.

Casting Requirements:

• Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
• A résumé and headshot are not required but are appreciated.
• Please provide a list of all known conflicts between Sep 7 and Nov 19, 2023

Masks are not required for auditioning or other involvement, but are welcome if one feels more comfortable — but will have to come off during late period rehearsals unless there is an official advisory out.

All cast and crew are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

*Director’s notes:

• age ranges are what the actor can sell, not necessarily the actors’ actual ages.
• open to diverse, nontraditional casting
• read through should happen on Monday, Sep. 12, followed by a likely short period of table work. But given the extended period for rehearsal, the earlier rehearsal schedule will probably be lighter, depending on cast conflicts.
• *see below the character breakdowns for the link to the audition sides.

The characters: (5 females; 2 males)

• Becca Connor:
  Birth surrogate for Martin and Susan. A traditional college junior, about 20 years old. Intelligent and ambitious, but not quite sure where to focus herself.
• Martin Merrit:
  Married to Susan. An established Doctor of Archaeology, late 30s-mid 40s. A nice guy, serious & passionate about his life’s work, and very much in love with his wife.
• Susan Merrit:
  Married to Martin. An earnest and determined woman who sometimes doesn’t loosen herself up until charmed into it by her husband. A creative mind who “designs ‘living environments’ to make over-priced furniture sell like crazy.” mid 30s-mid 40s.
• Det. Walt Dixon:
  50s-mid 60s. A veteran cop. He’s not a cliche of a cop but he’s the reason the cliche exists and he plays it up in the interview room. But when he’s one on one with his partner Valez, or off duty, his humanity shows though (to an extent). He’s not Lenny Briscoe, but the two would definitely get along.
• Det. Aleece Valez:
  Hasn’t been a detective for more than a few years. Early-mid 30s. Serious about getting better at her job. Also aching to start a family. Gives Dixon pushback, but does consider him a mentor.
• Molly Strutt:
  A seasoned, worldly-wise attorney, edging toward retirement, and a bone fide old hippy feminist who knows how to stand up to nonsense and is not intimidated. In her younger days she attended Woodstock and protested at Stonewall. Late 60s at the very youngest, and 70s is a better fit.
• Dr. Samantha Sutton:
  A college professor (the script hints at a Ph.D. in Biology). Mid 30s-early 40s. Strong personality with a tendency to be intense.

For more information, including borrowing a perusal script, please contact the director, K.L.Storer, at kl.storer@daytontheatreguild.org

Please also contact K.L. if you need to make arrangements to audition at another time besides Sep. 5 & 6.
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THE LINK FOR THE AUDITION SIDES:
http://www.klstorer.com/Wednesdays_Child_audition_sides.html
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The show runs weekends Nov 3-19, 2023
First Weekend: Friday 8pm, Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3pm
Second & Third Weekend: Friday 8pm, Saturday 5pm, Sunday 3pm