Old Academy Players [3544 Indian Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129; 215-843-1109; https://oldacademyplayers.org/] is pleased to announce the audition date for its 2025 production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens from March 7th, 2025 through March 23rd, 2025. The play is directed by Josh Tull (Recent: Next to Normal, Mean Girls) and produced by Chris Wunder (Recent: The Weir, Outside Mullingar).
Auditions: Old Academy Players welcomes new talent! Please note: Old Academy Players is a non-profit community theater. All roles are performed on a volunteer basis. If you are auditioning for a show, please complete our Audition Form [https://oldacademyplayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/OAP-Forms-for-web_Audition-Form.pdf] in advance of the audition.
Audition Date & Time: November 2nd, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
(In the event of inclement weather, auditions will be held on November 9th at 10:00 a.m.)
Note: Auditions will be seen on a first come-first serve basis in the order in which individuals arrive. If you would like to audition, you must arrive and check-in no later than 12:30 p.m.
Callbacks: Issued by invitation and seen later that same day (11/2/2024) at the discretion of the director.
Note: we anticipate callbacks to begin in the early afternoon and run no later than 5:00 p.m. Individuals who are called back should be prepared to stay for the duration. Due to the anticipated high number of individuals auditioning, we are unable to provide an exact start time for callbacks. Specific timetables will be provided the day of and communicated transparently. Callbacks will be utilized only in specific cases, some roles may be cast without a callback, you will be told immediately following your audition if we are issuing a callback.
All roles are non-union, non-paying.
Location of Auditions and Callbacks: Old Academy Players located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19129. There is free parking onsite, located behind the theater.
Audition Requirements:
Rehearsals: All rehearsals will take place onsite at Old Academy Players. Rehearsals will begin with an in-person table read at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2nd, 2024. A full rehearsal schedule can be found here: [https://oldacademyplayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OAP-Curious-Incident-Full-Rehearsal-Performance-Schedule.pdf]
Note: Specific character call dates will be provided after the show has been cast. Not all roles will be called to every rehearsal.
Performance Dates:
Play Information: Tony Award winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows 15-year-old Christopher between modern Swindon and London, UK. Christopher has a brilliant mind but is ill-equipped to interpret the social dynamics of everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road and has an inherent distrust of strangers. At 12:07 a.m. one morning — Christopher finds himself beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. His detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his entire world.
Dialect: Here’s a link to a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjvfWk9ZXPI] of Swindon, UK residents for audition dialect guidance for the main characters.
Please note, this is an ensemble piece. All actors will remain onstage for nearly the entire duration of the play. All scenes run into each other without any breaks. Stamina, sitting and standing for long periods of time, and physicality are of paramount importance in telling this story. Actors should be comfortable with accents and versatile enough to play/differentiate between multiple roles in most cases.
Characters: All roles are non-union, non-paying.
Christopher (Male: 15–22, if 18–22 must be able TPY): brilliant at “maths”, searching for the killer of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington. Christopher is autistic and exploring his place in the world as he seeks to solve the mystery of Wellington’s death. Actors with autism are encouraged to audition. Must be comfortable with the Swindon accent.
Siobhan (Female: 20s-60s): teacher at Christopher’s school, she understands him better than anyone else. Is kind, caring and a guiding support in Christopher’s life.
Ed (Male, 35–50): Christopher’s father, loving, but quick tempered, stressed and frustrated with his situation in life. He always has Christopher’s best interest at heart but it often manifests in overbearing and condescending ways. He drinks to cope. Must be comfortable with the Swindon accent.
Judy (Female, 35–50): Christopher’s mother, loving, but doesn’t really understand how to relate to Christopher. She struggles immensely when trying to support him. Must be comfortable with the Swindon accent.
Mrs. Shears, etc. (Female, 38–58): Mrs. Shears is Christopher’s Neighbor and the one who accuses him of killing her dog. This individual will also be doubling as Mrs. Gascoyne, Woman on Train, and The Shopkeeper. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
Mr. Shears, etc. (Male, 38–58): Roger Shears is Mrs. Shears Husband. This individual will also be playing the Duty Sergeant, Mr. Wise, Man Behind Counter, and Drunk One. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
Mr. Thompson, etc. (Male, 20s-40s): This individual will be playing the Policeman, Mr. Thompson, Drunk Two, Man with Socks, and a London Policeman. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
Reverend Peters, etc. (Male, 40s-60s): This individual will be playing Reverend Peters, Uncle Terry, Station Policeman, and the Station Guard. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
No. 40, etc. (Female, 20s): This individual will be playing No. 40, Lady in the Street, Information, and a Punk Girl. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
Mrs. Alexander, etc. (Female, 40s-60s): This individual will be playing Mrs. Alexander, and a Posh Woman. Looking for strong versatile actors to play multiple roles. English dialects of various classes are a plus.
Contact: Director, Josh Tull ([email protected])
The Old Academy Players has provided continuous community theater entertainment since 1923 and is a non-profit community theater in East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Constructed in 1819, the Old Academy building has been the OAP home since 1932. Old Academy Players is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Most notable alumni include Tony Award-nominated actor Robert Prosky and Hollywood icon, Grace Kelly. Support is provided by the "Philadelphia Cultural Fund".
If you are auditioning for a show, please complete our Audition Form [https://oldacademyplayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/OAP-Forms-for-web_Audition-Form.pdf] in advance of the audition.
Audition Requirements:
Rehearsals: All rehearsals will take place onsite at Old Academy Players. Rehearsals will begin with an in-person table read at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2nd, 2024. A full rehearsal schedule can be found here: [https://oldacademyplayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OAP-Curious-Incident-Full-Rehearsal-Performance-Schedule.pdf]
Note: Specific character call dates will be provided after the show has been cast. Not all roles will be called to every rehearsal.
Performance Dates:
