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St Mark's Players

a non-profit participatory theatre company performing on Capitol Hill within
St. Marks Church, 301 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
St. Mark’s Players Present Auditions for
Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party

 

St. Mark’s Players is pleased to announce auditions for Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party directed by Seth Ghitelman. If you have any questions about auditions or rehearsals, please contact Producer Brianna Rodriguez Day at briannaday0212@gmail.com.

 

About the Show: In this “comedy of menace”, two strangers, Goldberg and McCann, arrive at a boarding house on the coast and upset the order of Petey and Meg’s boarding home and their one guest, Stanley.  When the guests contrive to throw a birthday party for Stanley, even though it might not be his birthday, things turn ugly for Stanley, who is being punished for a mysterious crime.

 

Pinter chooses his words like a jazz musician chooses their notes. This dark comedy sings a fascinating off-beat tune. Every scene is a battle of words. This will not be your grandfather’s Pinter production. The production will have the flavor of McDonagh’s dark humor, whose own plays are influenced by Pinter.  
 

Auditions: Auditions will be during several 60-minute slots on Thursday July 25 from 7:00-10:00 pm and Saturday, July 27 from 2 pm-5pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Actors will read from selected scenes from the play, which will be sent out after signing for a slot, but you will not be expected to have them memorized. Accents will be required for this show. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability. All the roles are English except for McCann, who is Irish.  The show will have a dialect coach.  Please sign up for an audition time slot here.
 

Note: This play contains both physical and mental violence. It also contains the depiction of sexual activity. An intimacy and fight choreographer will be part of the production team. 
 

Callbacks: Callbacks, if needed, will be held on Tuesday, July 30th from 7-10pm by invitation only. 
 

Rehearsals: All rehearsals will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

 

  • Rehearsals will be on two weeknights and Saturday morning/afternoon based on availability. Some rehearsals may be via Zoom, but most of the rehearsal will be at St. Mark’s Church.

  • The first readthrough will be on Thursday, August 1 

  • Rehearsals will begin on Monday, August 12 

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Tech and Performances: All shows will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

 

  • Tech will begin on Sunday, September 29 and run daily through Thursday, October 3.

  • Shows are October 4,5,11,12,18,19 in the evening and on October 12 in the afternoon.

  • St. Mark’s Players is a participatory, all-volunteer, community theater. All roles are unpaid.

  • There are strikes on each Saturday night, and resets on Tuesday or Wednesday in between show weekends.  All cast members are required to participate in strikes and resets.

 

Character Breakdowns:
 

All roles are open. The character descriptions below are suggested and all roles have flexibility in casting with respect to gender, age, and race/ethnicity.
 

St Mark’s Players is committed to provide more relevant programming, develop stronger educational programs, provide sensitivity training to its staff, and open countless equal opportunities for all people of color, race, age, disability, gender identity, and belief.
 

PETEY (MALE 50- 60)
 

A quiet, affable man who is a deck chair attendant. Husband to Meg. Makes a brave attempt to stand up to Goldberg and McCann.
 

MEG (FEMALE 50-60)
 

Fastidious proprietor of the boarding house. She lives in her sheltered world with her own rules. She swings between treating Stanley like her son and flirting with him. Think of it like a British Edith Bunker.
 

STANLEY (MALE 25-35)
 

Haunted by his past, he lives in the boarding house and rarely goes outside. At some point, he was a concert pianist. He is frightened and prone to striking out. This role will contain the depiction of sexual activity. 
 

LULU (FEMALE 25 -35)
 

Young, cheerful friend of Meg. She flirts with the housebound Stanley. At the birthday party she is seduced by Goldberg and taken advantage of sexually by him. This role will contain a brief depiction of sexual activity.
 

GOLDBERG (MALE 40-60)
 

A charming, cruel man who is the leader of the team sent to get Stanley. He steers all the conversations that he is involved in. A wild and unreliable storyteller. This role will contain the depiction of sexual activity. 
 

McCANN (MALE 30-50) 
 

A strong presence. He is the enforcer of the pair. Irish. Needs to be able to passably sing a short Irish song. 

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