Auditions for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Starlight Community Theater announced for January 20

AUDITIONS: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

Directed by Joey Whelan

Auditions: January 20

We will be casting ADULTS - from  16 to 80!

Sign up for an audition time HERE

Fill-out the audition registration form at: https://forms.gle/AFCh3zs16H4EzVp38

Please send your theater resume & headshot (optional) to info@starlightcommunitytheater.com

Select a time slot for the audition below.

AUDITION TIMES - Sign up for one 30-minute slot for Saturday, January  20th.  Please make doubly sure that you input your email correctly.  These auditions will be in person at Starlight Community Theater (masks optional).  *Video auditions are available by request only. Please email info@starlightcommunitytheater.com to arrange.*

AUDITION INFORMATION - Please prepare two contrasting monologues, totalling no more than 3 minutes.

CALLBACKS by invitation will take place at the theater in person on Sunday, January 21st from 9am to noon. 

REHEARSALS Tentative schedule provided in RELATED FILES below. Rehearsals are held at Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr. Suite #9, Phoenix, AZ 85085. 

PERFORMANCES March 1-10, 2024.  Performances are at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

THE CHARACTERS -Age ranges are merely a suggestion for how the character should be presented on stage. We encourage folks of any age, ethnicity, or gender identity to audition.

Detective Hercule Poirot - 40s-60s Male, Belgian accent; Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to fault. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.

Monsieur Bouc - 40s-60s Male, Belgian accent; 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 is concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.

Mary Debenham - 20s-30s Female, English accent; 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 - 30s Male, Scottish accent; 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.

Hector McQueen - 20s-30s Male, American accent; 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.

Michel (doubles as Head Waiter) - 40s Male, French accent (as Michel) & Turkish accent (as Head Waiter); Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis, and is very good at his job.

Princess Dragomiroff - 60s-70s Female, Russian accent; 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 - 30s Female, Swedish accent; 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 - 20s-30s Female, Hungarian accent; 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 - 40s-60s Female, American accent; Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character.

Samuel Rachett - 30s-50s Male, American accent; A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality, and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.