Play Synopsis:

Famous detective Hercule Poirot is called back from Istanbul to London on urgent business. He intends to book a first-class compartment on the Orient Express, run by his former friend and colleague, Monsieur Bouc. The train is surprisingly full, but Bouc manages to secure Poirot a spot in the first-class cabin. While aboard the Orient Express, Poirot meets a host of peculiar characters: an aging Russian princess, her Swedish companion, a Hungarian countess, an American housewife, a Scottish colonel, an English governess, a French conductor, a disagreeable American businessman, and his anxious secretary. While aboard the train, the angry businessman, Samuel Ratchett, corners Poirot and demands Poirot to investigate a series of ominous letters that have been sent to Ratchett, threatening his life.

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As a snowdrift halts the Orient Express in its tracks, Ratchett is found stabbed multiple times in his locked train compartment. Poirot is tasked by Monsieur Bouc to solve the murder, as the killer could still be in their midst. As Poirot investigates, conflicting clues and convoluted alibis lead him to dead ends. Over the course of 48 hours, will Poirot be able to solve the case of the Murder on the Orient Express?

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Roles Available:

6  men,  5 women. Characters range in age from 20 - 70's.  
(High school students may audition). Casting will be based on the age range of the characters and the pool of actors who audition.

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:​

1. Download the character descriptions and sample sides. Do your research on the play and characters and prep before the auditions.
    

2. Complete the Audition Form at the bottom of this page (or on Airtable here). 
    

3. Note ANY and ALL dates/times you have conflicts on your online audition form below. You can view the general rehearsal calendar HERE.
    

4. Upload a headshot/digital photo as part of the form. Reach out if you are unsure on headshot standards.
    

5. Upload acting resume (optional).
    

6. ACTOR/CREW AGREEMENT. Download, READ, print, sign. Upload completed agreement into form below or bring to your audition.
    

7. Attend the audition on Saturday, October 18 from 1:00 - 4:30 PM at the EHS Little Theatre. You will be asked for your audition time preference below, but the production team will set the audition schedule and you will be notified of your audition time by October 17th. Each slot is 15 minutes long, and 2 people will be assigned to each audition slot. Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior. If you need to adjust your assigned time, reach out to Sue Connolly.  

   • No monologue required

   • The audition sides are provided HERE. Select one (or two) of the sides. Choose for a character of your choice; this is your opportunity to read for the character that interests you the most. You may or may not be considered for that character. You may be asked to also read another side. 

   • For the first round (Saturday), you will be auditioning with a provided off-stage reader.  See audition tips below for more information. Feel free to reach out to David if you have any questions about this. 

   • Actresses interested in the role of Mrs. Hubbard need to sing 16 bars of a 1930s era musical (Cole Porter is a great option!)  Please bring an accompaniment track on your phone (Acapella not accepted). 
      

8. Call Back Auditions will be Sunday, October 19, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Please plan on staying for the entire time. Arrive 15 minutes before auditions start.

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AUDITION TIPS:​

• Review the character information and sides in advance. Sides do not need to be memorized, however it is recommended. 

• Use your imagination, relax and act as if the person were on stage with you in the scene. 

• Read the book, read the play, watch the film. This is a wonderful story and immersing yourself in the world will only help your audition. 

• Connect with your imaginary scene partner. Make notes on what they might be doing in the scene, place them in a physical location and maybe have them move during the scene. David wants to see you seeing and interacting with this imaginary character. Have fun with this, don’t stress! :) 

• You may be given direction during both rounds of auditions, however, come with some physical, vocal, mannerism choices ready to play the character. 

• Several characters have accents. It is not necessary to demonstrate an accent at auditions, but if you feel comfortable give it a go.  

  • British or Scottish: Arbuthnot 

  • French: Poirot, Bouc, Michel 

  • Hungarian: Countess Andrenyi

  • Swedish:  Greta Ohlsson

  • Russian: Princess Dragonmiroff

  • New York American: *Helen Hubbard, *Countess Andrenyi, Samuel Ratchett, *Hector MacQueen 

  • Elevated American (Mid-Atlantic / Standard American Stage Dialect) : Mary Debenham , *Hector Macqueen, *Countess Andrenyi, *Helen Hubbard

  • * The above characters speak both dialects. Sides will note which dialect to use.  

 

REHEARSALS:

• There will be a break over the holidays between December 20 - January 4.  

• Tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and strike are mandatory. Given the schedule of 6 weeks of rehearsals and 1 week of tech, actors should commit to all rehearsals and try to avoid illnesses 😀.  Not all actors will necessarily be called for the full 3 hours each evening. 

• Refer to the Actor/Cast Agreement for more information.  ​

• Note: ​Actors will arrive on December 1 with lines memorized (Help will be given to meet this deadline). Optional workshops with David on line memorization and/or character development will be scheduled TBD in November.