Auditions for “The School for Lies”

Announcing the audition dates for The Village Players of Hatboro’s production of The School for Lies, a comedy by David Ives.

Director: Allison Schrader

Location: Village Players of Hatboro, 401 Jefferson Avenue., Hatboro, PA 19040

Audition Dates

• Sunday, November 3rd at 7:00pm
• Tuesday, November 5th at 7:00pm
• CALLBACKS (if necessary) BY INVITATION ONLY on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00pm

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Cold readings from the script will be provided.

SHOW DATES are March (2020) 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28. All actors who are cast MUST be available for all show dates, as well as tech week (Sunday March 8th through Wednesday March 11th)

REHEARSALS will be decided based upon actor availability. 

SYNOPSIS

(Comedy) Adapted from Le Misanthrope by Moliere. It’s 1666 and the brightest, wittiest salon in Paris is that of Celimene, a beautiful young widow so known for her satiric tongue she’s being sued for it. Surrounded by shallow suitors, whom she lives off of without surrendering to, Celimene has managed to evade love since her beloved husband died- until today, when Frank appears. A traveler from England known for his own coruscating wit and acidic misanthropy, Frank turns Celimene’s world upside-down, taking on her suitors, matching her barb for barb, and teaching her how to live again. (Never mind that their love affair has been engineered by a couple of well-placed lies.) This wild farce of furious tempo and stunning verbal display, all in very contemporary couplets, runs variations on Moliere’s The Misanthrope, which inspired it. Another incomparable romp from the brilliant author of All in the Timing.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Ethnically diverse cast desired. Ages flexible.

• Frank/Alceste (Lead) Male, 30-50 (see synopsis for character description)
• Celimene (Lead) [pronounced Selly-menn (rhymes with “many men”)] Female 30-50 (see synopsis for character description)
• Eliante (Supporting) [pronounced Eh-lyahnt (rhymes with “want”)] Female 25-35 – the object of Philinte’s romantic attentions, possesses a deep understanding of the French society in which she lives, demonstrates a keen insight into the relationship between the sexes and occasionally offers a witty critique of how men in love behave.
• Philinte (Supporting) [pronounced Fee-lant (rhymes with “can’t”)] Male, 30-45 – a polite and tactful man who is well adapted to the society of the play, avoids the type of offensive straightforwardness that characterizes Alceste, is almost so well adjusted as to come across as boring, lacks the sharp wit and cleverness of many of the other characters, but is appealing in his selflessness.
• Arsinoe (Supporting) [pronounced Ar-sin-oh-eh (rhymes with “in a way”)] Female, 30-50 – a bitter woman who is unpleasant, and thus unable to attract men, masks her frustration with extreme manners and piety, she is openly critical of Celimene out of jealousy, as she herself seeks the love of Alceste.
• Clitander (Supporting) [pronounced Cluh-tann-dur (rhymes with “meander”)] Male, 25-50 – another marquis chasing Celimene’s love, seems less desperate than the other suitors for her affection, his greatest joy comes from his participation in a gossip session with Celimene, but ultimately has enough pride and confidence to give up on Celimene when she insults him.
• Oronte (Supporting) [pronounced Or-ahnt (rhymes with “dilettante”)] Male, 25-50 – an outspoken man who seeks to be an integral part of his society, experimenting with poetry, fashions himself a multi-talented man, though the mediocrity of his poem calls this particular talent into question, he appears confident and he reveals his insecurities when criticized.
• Acaste (Supporting) [pronounced A-kast (rhymes with “aghast”)] Male, 25-50 – a young and egotistical marquis, considers himself a prime candidate for the role of Celimene’s lover, he is unabashed in singing his own praises, which may explain his confusion and frustration over Celimene’s rejection.

Dubois/Basque servants (Supporting): Males and Females, 18-64 (could be played by the same actor)

• Basque: Alceste’s jittery, bumbling manservant, his comic subservience to Alceste is a major element of the farcical nature of the show, out of nervousness in trying to tell Alceste everything. 
• Dubois: Celimene’s servant, consistently tries to serve canapes to the guests but always ends up having his tray upended.

CREW MEMBERS & NEWBIES

Audition nights are a perfect time to come out, meet the director, and express your interest in helping out backstage, be it in the role of a stage manager, lights & sound operator, concessions, or whatever else you might like to do. 

They’re also GREAT for first-timers to come out and observe how things are done, maybe express interest in being a helper, or read for a part! We almost always cast at least one person who’s never been on stage before. You never know what can happen!

Questions? Please contact Director Allison Schrader at allison@thevillageplayers.com.