SHERLOCK HOLMES and DELICATE BALANCE Understudies

Walnut Street Theatre is currently seeking local non-union actors to understudy ALL roles in both plays on our Mainstage, SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GREAT DETECTIVE and EDWARD ALBEE’S A DELICATE BALANCE.  Below, please find the information as it pertains to the productions. 

SHERLOCK HOLMES : THE GREAT DETECTIVE
Director: Bill Van Horn
1st Rehearsal – December 22, 2025
Performances – January 13 – February 15, 2026

Seeking:
SHERLOCK HOLMES U/S- Hansome and charming detective 30s.  Should have strong acting and gravitas to carry a show.

WATSON U/S- Character man 40+.  Strong dramatic actor.

ENSEMBLE CHARACTER U/S - 3 strong comedic and classical actors, any age, sex, or ethnicity, to play a myriad of parts throughout the Sherlock literary canon. A la THE 39 STEPS. 

EDWARD ALBEE’S A DELICATE BALANCE
Director: Bernard Havard
1st Rehearsal – February 3, 2026
Performances – February 24 – March 29, 2026

Seeking:
AGNES U/S – 50’s Female.  Well off.  Agnes believes herself to be the fulcrum of the family, keeping everyone in balance. She often maintains this balance, or order, by not confronting issues, not taking a stand, and not processing emotions. She tries to keep the peace by not dealing with anything that might upset it.

TOBIAS U/S – Agnes’ husband, a few years older. A well-to-do, retired businessman. Although he is tolerant of people around him, he, like his wife, tends to avoid emotional topics.

CLAIRE U/S – Agnes’ sister, several years younger.  She claims that she is not an alcoholic but rather a willful drinker. Of all the characters in the play, whether it is due to the alcohol or not, Claire has the loosest tongue. She speaks her mind and is the least affected by social politeness.  Openly disdains Agnes. Much of the comedy of the play flows from Claire.

JULIA U/S – Agnes’ and Tobias’ daughter, 30s, angular.  Already a four time divorcee, Julia tends to put down her mother and commiserate with her mother's sister Claire.  Her father calls her a whiner, and her mother has little time for her. Julia has set a pattern in her life of marrying for the wrong reasons and then divorcing and returning home.

EDNA and HARRY U/S – Harry and Edna are married and the best friend couple of Agnes and Tobias.  Harry is something of a reflection of Tobias, but he is even more reserved.  Edna is confident, poised, with a sense of self-entitlement that has recently been shaken by the unnamed fear that has gripped her and Tobias.

Artists who are unfamiliar with Non-Union Understudies from within the Walnut Street Theatre School’s education performance program, details are provided below.

UNDERSTUDIES:

• Are “On Call” for a specific role in the cast and must be in town for the duration of the Rehearsal through Performance run.
• Learn/observe as much of the rehearsal process as you’d like on your own. 
• Attend Final Dress Rehearsal.
• 6 required daytime understudy rehearsals during the show’s run 1-6PM – on weekdays
• Receive an expense stipend of $280 to cover any expenses in participating (parking for a day, etc.)
  • Additional Rate: $70 a show if you perform as an understudy.
  • Scholarship for a free class at the Walnut Street Theatre School.

Auditions will be held in person by appointment only.  For consideration, please email a headshot and current resume to [email protected] 
(Subject Line : Understudies-Last Name)

Walnut Street Theatre is committed to diversity and engages in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of ALL ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.