AUDITION INFORMATION

Click on each character's name to access the audition side

Jonathan (director, playing Charles Haversham)

Cornley Role: Plays the murder victim but is terrible at lying still.
Personality: Dedicated but clumsy.
Acting Style: Farcical physicality, especially while pretending to be dead.
Note: Must be great at slapstick and staying committed amidst chaos.

Robert (leading man, playing Thomas Colleymoore)

Cornley Role: Overconfident and self-important actor.
Personality: Loves the spotlight and overacts frequently.
Acting Style: Comically exaggerated and melodramatic.
Note: Physical comedy and booming voice are key assets.

Chris (playing Inspector Carter)

Cornley Role: Head of the Drama Society and Director of the play.
Personality: Serious, proud, and increasingly exasperated as everything falls apart.
Acting Style: Tries to stay in control and committed to the performance, even as disasters unfold.
Note: Needs strong comedic timing and the ability to perform frustration hilariously.

Dennis (playing Perkins the Butler)

Cornley Role: Very literal and unskilled actor.
Personality: Sweet and eager but oblivious to cues and context.
Acting Style: Stiff and unnatural with line flubs and mispronunciations.
Note: Great for an actor with a dry sense of humor and awkward charm.

Sandra (playing Florence Colleymoore)

Cornley Role: The leading lady, very serious about her craft.
Personality: Glamorous and dramatic, easily offended.
Acting Style: Overacted drama queen, yet thrown off by mishaps.
Note: Requires slapstick ability and willingness to be physically thrown around.

Max (playing Cecil Haversham)

Cornley Role: Inexperienced actor who plays to the audience.
Personality: Enjoys audience attention and often breaks character.
Acting Style: Big expressions, flashy movement, and over-the-top reactions.
Note: Requires strong physical comedy and comic timing.

Trevor or Tina (the lighting and sound operator)

Cornley Role: Reluctant technician who ends up on stage against his will.
Personality: Sarcastic, disinterested, hates being involved.
Acting Style: Deadpan, annoyed, and eventually resigned.
Note: Requires dry delivery and solid comedic instincts.

Annie (the stage manager)

Cornley Role: Normally backstage, not a performer.
Personality: Nervous at first, but increasingly confident.
Acting Style: Grows from panic to bold diva.
Note: Must convincingly portray nervousness evolving into showbiz bravado.

Auditioning for an OCC production, or any production, can be a nerve-racking and scary experience. Here are a few tips to help with that process.

If you have never auditioned before, here is what to expect:

You will arrive at the college and enter the lobby in front of the theater. There will be a table where you will sign in and fill out a couple of forms. Once that is completed, you will wait until your name is called.

Someone will walk you into the theater and introduce you to the audition committee (be prepared for a little small talk). You will head to the center of the stage where you will read for the character you have chosen. Someone will come on stage and read opposite you. When you are finished, you will walk back out the way you came. Occasionally, the audition committee will ask you a few questions or ask you to read for another character.

How to Prepare for the Audition:

• Practice, practice, practice! You do not have to be memorized, but it is expected that you are prepared.
• Dress nicely. Make a great first impression.
• When doing your read, be the character. Make choices.
• Learn as much as you can about the show story. Learn as much as you can about the character you are auditioning for. The Internet is truly a wealth of information when it comes to shows. Use it!
• Have someone read opposite you several times beforehand: a friend, spouse, co-worker, anyone.
• Unfortunately, the nature of theater auditioning is disappointment. If you cannot handle disappointment, theater may not be for you. Multiple people audition for one part, but only one person will get that part. But if you are cast in a part, allow yourself to fall in love with your role.

1st Rehearsal: Monday, September 29th, from 6:30-9:30 pm

All cast members should attend the first rehearsal. Each member of the cast will receive a rehearsal schedule at the first rehearsal. In addition, cast members will receive weekly updates on what specific scenes will be covered on each day that week via Virtual Callboard. Rehearsals will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. You may or may not be required to attend rehearsal every day each week. Additional individual or group rehearsals will be called as necessary.

We understand that cast members have families, jobs, school, and are also involved in other activities, so we try to be flexible. If you must miss a rehearsal for something important, we ask that you communicate that to the stage manager in advance. However, please be sure that you can attend most rehearsals so that the cast has time to work together. 

Do I have to have experience on stage to audition?

No! We welcome anyone who is interested in participating, even if you have never done a show before. 

What if I cannot make the audition dates?

Video auditions can be accepted, but please arrange those in advance. Your video must be submitted before auditions are completed.

Do I have to live in Olney to be in the show?

No! We love having people from different communities participate in our shows. We are always happy to see new faces.

Do I cold read at the audition?

Nope. Audition materials are posted in advance, and we expect you to come rehearsed and prepared with a character. 

Do I have to be memorized at the audition?

Memorization is not required, but please come prepared and having rehearsed. 

Where are auditions held?

Olney Central College at the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center
305 N West Street
Olney, IL 62450 
Click here to see OCC Theater on the map 
Drive past the main building all the way to the east end of the campus. The theater is in the separate brick building next to the main building (the lobby is all windows). 

I heard that I get class credit for being in a show. Is this true?

It is! You get class credit for being in the cast and the crew. The tuition and fees for the class are waived.