AUDITION NOTICE:

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

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Center Stage Theatre — Shelton, CT

Director: Tom Simonetti

Music Director: Christine Dominguez

Choreographer: Matt Mancuso

A Note on the Show: The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a high-energy, immersive musical comedy where the audience votes on the ending! We are building a tight-knit ensemble cast of 13–16 actors. The actors in this production play dual roles: a Victorian performer in the "Music Hall Royale" troupe, and the character that performer plays in the show-within-a-show.

📅 Important Dates & Schedule

Audition & Callback Dates:

Auditions: Saturday, August 8th | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Callbacks (including Dance Callback): Wednesday, August 12th | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Rehearsals:

Dates: Monday, August 17th – Thursday, September 17th

Weekly Schedule:

Mondays – Thursdays: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(No rehearsal on Labor Day: Monday, September 7th)

Non-Negotiable Dates (Tech & Shows):

Rehearsal Push: Tuesday, Sept 8th – Saturday, Sept 12th

Run-Throughs: Monday, Sept 14th – Thursday, Sept 17th

Extended Tech/Dress: * Saturday, Sept 19th (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

Sunday, Sept 20th (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM - tentative/as needed)

Tech/Dress Week: Monday, Sept 21st – Thursday, Sept 24th (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

Opening Night: Friday, September 25th

🎭 Audition Requirements

Eligibility: Open to performers 18 and older. Center Stage is committed to inclusive casting; parts may be cast with actors of any ethnicity, and listed ages/genders serve primarily as a guide.

Materials: Please bring a printed headshot with your resume stapled to the back.

Vocal Audition: Prepare 32 bars of a musical theater song in the style of the show that showcases both your vocal range and acting ability.

Accompaniment: Please bring backing tracks on a Bluetooth-enabled device (a Bluetooth speaker will be provided). No a cappella singing, please.

Acting / Improv: Be prepared to present a 1-minute joke using a British accent (it does not need to be perfect—just have fun with it!).

👥 Character Breakdown

(Vocal ranges and character pairings listed below)

CHAIRMAN / MAYOR THOMAS SAPSEA (30s–50s, Any Gender) The charismatic leader of the troupe. Carries much of the show's dialogue, keeps the pace moving, and must be quick-witted with jokes and audience interaction. (Vocal Range: D#3– F#4)

CLIVE PAGET / JOHN JASPER (30s–50s, Male) The Theatre Royale’s devilishly attractive male lead—and he knows it. In Drood, he plays the sinister antagonist: Cloisterham’s choir director, uncle to Edwin Drood, and obsessively in love with Rosa Bud. (Vocal Range: A2 – A4)

ALICE NUTTING / EDWIN DROOD (20s–40s, Female) The troupe's prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator. Driven, charming, and highly confident. Plays Edwin Drood—a wealthy, popular young man who seems to have it all. (Vocal Range: B3 – E5)

DEIRDRE PEREGRINE / ROSA BUD (18–30s, Female) The Music Hall’s seemingly innocent ingenue. Plays Drood’s fiancee, the lovely and delicate Rosa Bud. (Vocal Range: A3 – B5)

ANGELA PRYSOCK / PRINCESS PUFFER (50s+, Female) A seasoned favorite of the London stage. Plays the opium den Madam and purveyor of vice, glamorous even in ruin. Requires a strong chest voice and great audience rapport. (Vocal Range: F3 – D5)

JANET CONOVER / HELENA LANDLESS (20s–50s, Female) A reliable, longtime company member. Plays the fierce and mysterious Helena Landless, newly arrived from a foreign colony. (Vocal Range: G3 – D5)

VICTOR GRINSTEAD / NEVILLE LANDLESS (20s–30s, Male) Making his debut with the Royale. Plays Helena’s passionate, hot-tempered twin brother, Neville. Strong ensemble singer. (Vocal Range: C3 – G4)

CEDRIC MONCRIEFFE / REVEREND CRISPARKLE (40s+, Male) A gentle, earnest troupe member playing the archetypal vicar who holds a long-standing secret love for Rosa’s late mother. (Vocal Range: C3 – G4)

PHILLIP BAX / BAZZARD (Any Age, Any Gender) The dedicated, long-suffering understudy who is waiting for their moment in the spotlight (which might just happen depending on how the audience votes!). (Vocal Range: A2 – EFlat4)

NICK CRICKER SR. / DURDLES (30s+, Male) The "Clown Prince" of the company who milks every comic beat. Plays the perpetually intoxicated sexton of the cathedral. (Vocal Range: B2 – F4)

NICK CRICKER JR. / DEPUTY (18–20s, Any Gender) Lowest in the troupe's hierarchy, but a massive comedic presence as Durdles' energetic sidekick. (Vocal Range: B2 – F4)

WENDY & BEATRICE (18–30s, Female) Featured ensemble members drawn from the company; schoolmates and contemporaries of Rosa Bud. (Vocal Range: C4 – D5)