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MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS Local Auditions

LaComedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro, Ohio, is holding an open call audition for its upcoming production of Murder on the Orient Express on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00am at 765 W. Central Ave. Springboro, Ohio.

SEEKING (all ethnicities are encouraged to audition)

• Hercule Poirot
  Gender-Male, Dialect: Belgian.
  A retired Belgian police officer. Poirot is Christie’s most famous detective and is known for his short stature and long, curly moustache. Poirot is very intelligent, extremely aware and instinctual and is a brilliant detective.
• Monsieur Bouc
  Gender – Male, Dialect: Belgian. The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged man with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he’s concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.
• Mary Debenham
  Gender – Female, Dialect: British. A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arburthnot.
• Colonel Arbuthnot (doubles as Samuel Ratchett)
  Gender – Male, Dialect: Scottish. A military man of the old-fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper but loves Mary deeply.
• Hector McQueen
  Gender – Male, Dialect: American. Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much but wants everyone to get along.
• Michel (doubles as Head Waiter)
  Gender – Male, Dialect: French (Michel) & Turkish. (Head Waiter) Michel: Competent and organized, he’s the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis and is very good at his job. Head Waiter of the Hotel: Eager to please.
• Princess Dragomiroff
  Gender – Female, Dialect: Russian. Displaced Russian nobility. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal and holds very decided opinions.
• Greta Ohlsson
  Gender – Female, Dialect: Swedish. A Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny but should not be played as a caricature for laughs.
• Countess Andrenyi
  Gender – Female, Dialect: Hungarian / American. In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot.
• Helen Hubbard
  Gender – Female, Dialect: American (Midwestern ideally). Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and maybe do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a cultured American accent.
• Samuel Rachett (doubles as Colonel Arbuthnot)
  Gender – Male, Dialect: American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style). A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. A forceful personality and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. Thinks he’s more charming than he really is.

Please provide a current headshot and resume. Prepare 60-second (or less) monologue and be prepared to do cold reads from the show.
Rehearsals: Mon. Dec 29 – Jan. 10 (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm) (excluding Jan. 1)
Tech: Jan. 12 – 14.

Performances: Jan. 15 – Feb. 15, 2026, Thurs-Sun matinees and evenings.
Rehearsal and performance conflicts will not be accepted.
Performers are paid biweekly. Meal each performance, gym membership, workman’s comp provided.

If you have questions, or for more information email artisticdirector@lacomedia.com
Non-Equity.

Although it is highly beneficial to attend the in-person audition, if you are unable to be present, you may send resume, headshot, and 60-second monologue video reel before that day to submissions@lacomedia.com.