The Cemetery Club
by Lee County Arts Center

Jul. 17 - Jul. 18

Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands' graves.

 

Audition Notice: The Cemetery Club

The Lee County Arts Center is excited to announce auditions for The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell.

This bittersweet comedy-drama follows three Jewish widows in Queens, New York, who meet monthly for tea before visiting their husbands’ graves. Filled with humor, heart, friendship, and emotional honesty, The Cemetery Club explores the tension between honoring the past and finding the courage to move forward.

All auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place at the Lee County Arts Center.

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Audition Information​

Audition Dates:
Friday, July 17th 2026 at 6:00 PM
Saturday, July 18th 2026 at 1:00 PM

​Audition sessions are expected to last approximately one hour each.

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Location: Lee County Arts Center
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No monologue is required.

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Please complete the audition form (click HERE) and bring it with you to the audition. ​​

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Rehearsal Information​​

Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday, July 20th.

Regular rehearsals will generally be held:

  • Mondays

  • Wednesdays

  • Thursdays

Typical rehearsal times will be approximately 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ish), though additional time may occasionally be needed closer to opening. Everyone is expected to be at rehearsal on time, unless previously approved by the Director. 

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Tech Week​

Technical rehearsals are scheduled for:
September 14-17

Attendance during tech week is mandatory.

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Performance Information​

Performance dates are:

  • September 18, 19, and 20

  • September 26 and 27

Please note: There may be opportunities to add additional performances or performance locations after the initial run of the show closes. Auditioners may be asked whether they are available and interested in participating should those opportunities arise.

Who Can Audition

Adults ages 18 and older are encouraged to audition.

This production calls for:

  • 4 women

  • 1 man

Actors should generally be able to portray characters age 60+, with the exception of Mildred, who may appear somewhat younger.

A New York Jewish accent is preferred for many of the roles, though not required.

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Character Descriptions​

Ida

Female, 60s+
Sweet-tempered and the most emotionally balanced of the trio. Ida often acts as the peacemaker between her more combative friends. After 39 years of marriage to her late husband, Murray, she is finally beginning to consider the possibility of moving forward and finding love again.

Lucille

Female, 60s+
Feisty, flirtatious, and vibrant. Lucille embraces fun and humor while masking the pain left by her late husband’s infidelity. Outspoken and larger-than-life, she is eager to date again and refuses to spend the rest of her life grieving.

Doris

Female, 60s+
Traditional, conservative, and deeply loyal to her late husband, Abe. Doris struggles with the idea of moving on and often reacts critically to her friends’ attempts to embrace life again. Sharp-tongued but ultimately vulnerable underneath her rigid exterior.

Sam

Male, 60s+
A widowed local butcher who quietly enters the women’s world after visiting his own wife’s grave. Sam is gentle, sincere, and soft-spoken, eventually developing a tender relationship with Ida.

Mildred

Female, 40s–60s
A smaller but important role. Mildred appears briefly as Sam’s wedding date, unintentionally stirring jealousy and emotional conflict among the widows.

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Additional Information

  • Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required.

  • Scripts and audition sides will be available at auditions.

  • All roles are open.

  • This production contains themes of grief, aging, friendship, and romance, balanced with significant humor and warmth.

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Questions may be directed to the Director: Haril Walpole...  harilwalpole@gmail.com.

Join us for this touching, funny, and deeply human story about friendship, love, and second chances.

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​​General Rules

 

All actors and crew members must be available for rehearsals, tech week, and performance dates. Any rehearsal conflicts MUST be discussed and approved prior to audition. Tech week and show dates are mandatory.

 

Everyone is expected to be on time. We will start on time and try to leave on time, but you have to show up ready to do your part. It is recommended you show up at least 10 minutes early for rehearsal to prepare. Costume days even sooner. Let’s all respect each others’ valuable time.

 

The director has the final say in all matters pertaining to this performance. Please respect his/her vision of the “big picture." Suggestions are great, but in the end, it is his/her decision. DO NOT ask other actors for advice on your performance.  While they mean well, they can ruin the overall performance.

 

Respect each other. No political or religious discussions. Be polite.

 

Finally, have fun. This is a fun, comedy performance. If you aren’t having fun with it, it will come across dry to the audience.