The Mousetrap
by Georgetown Palace Theatre

Aug. 20 - Aug. 21 (2023)

After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another. A police detective, arriving on skis, interrogates the suspects: the newlyweds running the house; a spinster with a curious background; an architect who seems better equipped to be a chef; a retired Army major; a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift; and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. When a second murder takes place, tensions and fears escalate. This record-breaking murder mystery features a brilliant surprise finish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time.

The world’s longest-running play!

 

The Mousetrap Audition Information

Director: Emily Taylor
Stage Manager: Deborah Hanna

The production will open Friday, October 20, 2023 and close Sunday, November 19, 2023.  

Actors of all ethnicities and gender identities are encouraged to audition. In reference to the character descriptions below—most characters we encounter currently are in the binary and are written with he/him or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. But however limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities. Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or if there are any accommodations we can provide (from language developed by Kevin Kantor and Emily Tarquin from the Actors Theatre of Louisville)

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Mollie Ralston – Female presenting; Age 20s to early 30s. New owner/hostess of Monkswell Manor; anxious about hosting the inn’s first guests; married to Giles for one year.

Giles Ralston – Male presenting; Age 20s to early 30s. Owns Monkswell Manor with his wife Mollie; somewhat arrogant and jealous of the other guests’ attentions toward Mollie.

Christopher Wren – Male presenting;; Age 20s to 30s. The first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man who acts in a very peculiar manner. Wren claims to have been named after the architect of the same name by his parents.

Mrs. Boyle – Female presenting; Age 40s to 60s. Mrs. Boyle is an imposing woman in a bad temper; she complains about everything. She is disapproving of every effort that Mollie and Giles produce to make her comfortable.

Major Metcalf – Male presenting; Age 40s to 60s. Major Metcalf is middle-aged, square shouldered, military in manner and bearing. He is friendly and very polite, and serves as a good counter to Mrs. Boyle during the play’s first act.

Miss Casewell – Female presenting; Age 20s to 30s. A strange, aloof, somewhat masculine woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood.

Mr. Paravicini – Male presenting; Age 30s to 50s. A man of unknown provenance who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He appears to be affecting a foreign accent and artificially aged with make-up.

Sgt. Trotter – Considering any Gender; Age late 20s to early 40s. Detective Sergeant Trotter is a cheerful, common-place man who arrives at the guest house on skis to investigate a local murder.

AUDITIONS:

Auditions will be held Sunday, August 20 starting at 6:00 p with callbacks Monday, August 21. Callbacks are by invitation only, and will be posted on the Palace website, but an email with the callback link will be sent to everyone who auditioned when the callback list gets posted online. 

  • Please prepare a monologue of your choosing, comedic or dramatic.  It does not have to be memorized but should be prepared.  We welcome auditioners that are 18 and older. 
  • Callbacks will consist of cold reads from the script. Sides will be posted with the callback list.

Auditions are located at the Palace Playhouse 216 W. 8th street Georgetown TX 78626. Initial Auditions and Callbacks will be on the Playhouse Stage. 

Auditions are scheduled online via the Palace website. You will fill out the audition form, sign up for a time, and fill out the conflict calendar, as well as upload a headshot and resume. Questions should be emailed to productions@georgetownpalace.com

You will receive an email confirming your appointment. If you are unable to attend any of the audition times, please go ahead and fill out the form and put yourself on the waiting list. Then send us an email and we will try to work with you to schedule an alternative time.

Click HERE to fill out the form!

**Please note that auditions may be recorded for use in casting**

REHEARSALS:

  • Scripts will be distributed the week after casting offers go out. 
  • Rehearsals will begin on/around September 11.
  • Rehearsals are typically held Monday through Thursday from 7:00p-10:00p and Saturday 1:00p-5:00p.

PERFORMANCES: 

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p, and Sundays at 2 p. Sometimes ticket demand causes us to add Saturday matinee performances at 2 p.

CONFLICTS:

Please make sure to notate all conflicts that you are aware of on your conflict sheet when filling out your audition form. It is difficult to create a rehearsal schedule if we do not know all of your conflicts up front. Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in removal of the production.

CASTING:

Once casting is completed (typically 2-3 days after callbacks), emails will be sent to the actors that will be offered a role in the production. Once the full cast has accepted, everyone else who auditioned will be notified via email.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS: 

Everyone should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home if they do not feel well. You should also wear a mask if you have direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and get tested on the 5th day following the exposure.

We’re constantly monitoring and evaluating our policies and will update them based on guidance from the CDC.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors.  We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.

Please see our operating standards at the following link:
Georgetown Palace Operating Standards

Everyone involved with the production must submit to a background check at the Palace’s expense. If you are cast, you will receive a secure link where you can fill it out. There is no cost to you.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization. There is no compensation for any of the actors at this time.  

If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.com.