The Mass Arts Center announces auditions for The Cottage
The Cottage
By Sandy Rustin
Director: William Deschenes
Assistant Director: Nick Maloof
Stage Manager: Rich DeYoung
Synopsis: Welcome to The Cottage, where Sylvia is meeting Beau for their annual clandestine rendezvous. This year’s encounter will be different, however, as Sylvia is convinced that today will be the start of a new life with Beau. But when their respective spouses (and other lovers!) unexpectedly arrive on the scene, secrets are revealed, loyalties are shifted, identities are questioned, and pandemonium is unleashed. With a tip of the hat to the classic plays of Noel Coward, this hilarious, romantic farce pays homage to screwball comedies of the past…but with a delightfully modern twist.
BASIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Sundays (6pm-9pm), Tuesdays (6:30pm-9:30pm) and Thursdays (6:30pm-9:30pm)
A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed after the show is cast.
Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, July 8th.
Please note that performances will take place on and around Rosh Hashanah (9/22-9/24) and Yom Kippur (10/1-10/2)
PERFORMANCE DATES
Tech Week: Sept. 14-18
11 Performances:
Fri. Sept. 19 & Sat. Sept. 20 at 8pm; Sun. Sept. 21 at 2pm
Thu. Sept. 25, Fri. Sept. 26 & Sat. Sept. 27 at 8pm; Sun. Sept. 28 at 2pm
Thu. Oct. 2, Fri. Oct. 3 & Sat. Oct. 4 at 7:30pm; Sun. Oct. 5 at 2pm
PRELIMINARY AUDITIONS
Sunday, June 22 starting at 6pm (by appointment)
Monday, June 23 starting at 6pm (by appointment)
CALLBACKS
Thursday, June 26 at 6:30pm
WHERE
Auditions and Callbacks will be held in the studio at Mass Arts Center: 888 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA 02048
TO AUDITION:
To request an audition slot, please email the production team at TheCottageMAC@gmail.com, including a preference for Sunday, June 22nd or Monday, June 23rd. Once your request is received, you will be assigned an audition time on your preferred date. Callbacks will be held Thursday, June 26th by invitation.
If for some reason, you cannot attend either of the preliminary auditions, you may submit a video audition at TheCottageMAC@gmail.com. Although in-person auditions are always preferred, video auditions may be considered as well.
Preliminary Audition: Please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue of your choosing. British, comic, farce, in the style of the play, is preferred.
Callbacks: Those attending call-backs on Thursday, June 26th will be asked to read sides from the script.
Characters
The Mass Arts Center is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities and abilities to audition.
SYLVIA (mid-20s – late 40s, female) “A lovely and rash romantic.” Feminine, elegant, passionate, and strong-willed, Sylvia’s attempts at true love leave her frustrated but ever hopeful. BRITISH RP ACCENT.
BEAU (mid-20s – late 40s, male) “Perhaps the best-looking man in Britain.” Sylvia’s gallant lover, whose charisma and wit is tempered by a healthy dose of cynicism. BRITISH RP ACCENT.
MARJORIE (mid-20s – late 40s, female) “Eight months pregnant, pragmatic, and a tad spicy.” Beau’s wife, logical and unflappable. Unless, of course, she’s in labor. BRITISH RP ACCENT.
CLARKE (mid-20s – late 40s, male) “A distinguished gent with a lover’s spirit.” Sylvia’s ever accommodating husband. Clarke’s kind-heartedness may lead others to take him for a fool. BRITISH RP ACCENT.
DIERDRE (20s – 30s, female) “An awfully pretty, sometimes wise, nincompoop.” Beau’s surprise second mistress. Gullible and sweet, Deirdre is also surprisingly capable of unexpected clarity and insight. BRITISH RP and COCKNEY, WORKING CLASS ACCENT.
RICHARD (30s -40s, male) “A murderous, yet gentle soul.” Dierdre’s jealous ex-husband. With a seemingly brutish exterior Richard is revealed to be a nebbish romantic, determined to hold on to his true love (no matter what). BRITISH RP and WORKING CLASS ACCENT.
Please note that these roles require moments of physical intimacy (kissing, intimate touch, romantic chemistry/passion) and moments of physical violence (falling, slapping, fainting, handling/use of a prop gun).
Understudies may also be cast.