From Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel Adapted and directed by James Cougar Canfield
Director: James Cougar Canfield
Compensation: Pay ($450 stipend, plus $50 for each student matinee)
Rehearsals Begin: March 11, 2025
Performances: April 4, 2025 – April 17, 2025
Venue: Taliesin West, with Limited Run-Outs to Schools
Ages: Adult
What To Prepare:
Actors interested in submitting for The Secret Garden should fill out our Google Form, linked below. Please make sure to include your resume, headshot, and fill in the form completely. If available, please include a link to your acting reel or a short comedic monologue in the appropriate spot on the form.
Following your submission, casting may reach out and ask for you to either film a side from the script or attend a virtual callback via Zoom.
Deadline for submission is end of the day, Sunday, February 9th, 2025.
Show Synopsis:
Can the power of nature unlock the secrets of the human heart? Mary Lennox is a spoiled brat. She’s loud, and too smart for her own good. In this new adaptation from the adapter and star of our sold-out hit LADIES IN WAITING: THE JUDGMENT OF HENRY VIII from a few seasons back, this wonderfully creative new adaptation THE SECRET GARDEN tells the story of young Mary Lennox as she is sent to live in her estranged uncle’s spooky house where she discovers a hidden, magical garden. This transformative journey brings Mary from sorrow to joy, teaching her—and the audience—about the healing power of nature and the process of self-discovery inherent in helping others.
Character Breakdown
Mary Lennox – Preteen (played by an adult actor). Spoiled and miserable, but smart as all heck, and curious. Orphaned due to a plague, and sent to live with her estranged uncle at Misselthwaite Manor.
Colin Craven – Preteen (played by an adult actor). Also spoiled and miserable. Archibald and the late Lilias’s son. A bit of a monster, but maybe getting out of bed and breathing some fresh air might help?
Martha Sowerby – Teenager (played by an adult actor). A maid at Misselthwaite Manor. The eldest of the 13 Sowerby Children. Independent, sassy, and knows how to control a situation.
Dickon Sowerby – Preteen (played by an adult actor). One of the 13 Sowerby children. Befriends Mary on her journey to find the Secret Garden. Talks to animals (not in a weird way, in like a cool way). Must be comfortable to puppeteer.
Archibald Craven – Adult. The cold and distant master of Misselthwaite Manor. Colin’s father, experiencing deep guilt and trauma from the death of his wife.
Mrs. Medlock – Adult. The head of the staff as Misselthwaite Manor. A bit cold, very serious, but really doing her best to hold the whole place together.
Dr. Craven – Adult. Archibald’s brother. Colin’s doctor. Is he up to no good? We can’t be quite sure.
Ben Weatherstaff – Adult. Lilias’s favorite gardener. Tended to the roses, and passionately loved the lady of the manor before her death.
Additional Info:
Critically acclaimed and award winning theatre company, Tier5, is thrilled to team up once again with Southwest Shakespeare Company for our upcoming production of The Secret Garden at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Tier5 and Southwest Shakespeare Company's previous collaborations include Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII, originally produced in 2018 and revived in 2019, and meg jo beth amy & louisa in 2020. All productions took place at Taliesin West.
The Secret Garden, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's legendary novel by Tier5 Executive Producer, James Cougar Canfield, will run April 4th- 13th at Taliesin West, plus two additional school matinees on April 15th and 17th. The production will be directed by Canfield.
Performers of all races, ethnicities, abilities, ages, and gender identities are encouraged to submit. Tier5 strives to create inclusive, safe, and anti-racist environments in every aspect of our operation, on stage and off, for our performers, creatives, and audiences.
Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations:
Main Performance Run: April 4th- 13th (8 performances) at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 6pm
Student Matinees: April 15th and 17th at 10am (2 performances). Locations TBD.
Actors would be called no earlier than 8:30am on those matinee days. Actors will be released by 12:30pm.
Rehearsals:
Tuesdays through Fridays, 6-10pm, Saturdays 10am- 6pm. Sundays will be dark.
Rehearsals will take place at the Childsplay campus in Tempe, AZ and begin March 11th.
Tech:
April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 5pm- 10pm at Taliesin West
All actors must be 18 or older.
Tier5 and Southwest Shakespeare Company are unable to provide housing or travel stipends to non-local actors.
We are unable to offer union contracts for this production. We are seeking non-union actors.
Deadline to submit for casting consideration is end of the day, Sunday, February 9th, 2025