FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 30, 2022
Contact: Lisa Joyce, 971-718-6758 (mobile), 503-485-4300 (office)
Open auditions for An Inspector Calls Oct. 29 at Pentacle Theatre’s downtown Salem rehearsal studio
What: Open auditions for An Inspector Calls, the acclaimed class conflict thriller framed as an Edwardian ghost story, written by J.B. Priestly, directed by Isaac Joyce-Shaw.
When: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29.
Where: Pentacle Theatre rehearsal studio, 197 Liberty St. S. in downtown Salem. Free parking is available on the first two floors of the Liberty Square Parkade, above the rehearsal studio.
Casting call: Seeking an ensemble of seven actors able to play the following roles:
- A mysterious inspector who calls one night to question a wealthy middle-aged English Midlands couple, their two young-adult children, their daughter’s fiancée and their maid about each person’s connection to a young girl’s suicide.
- For a full list of roles, genders and ages, please scroll down this page.
Things to know: Rehearsal studio doors open at 12:30 p.m. and open auditions for all roles begin promptly at 1 p.m. Please be on time and plan to stay through 5 p.m.
- Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form. We encourage you to download the form at pentacletheatre.org/auditions and complete it in advance. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required, but always appreciated.
- Bring your calendar and provide a complete list of your conflicts through Feb.4. If you have a conflict on the audition date, please contact the director, below.
- Auditions will consist of reading sides from the script with other actors. No prior experience is required.
- Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.
COVID-19 protocols:
During auditions and rehearsals: For your health and safety, everyone attending auditions and rehearsals must wear a mask. Masks must cover your nose and mouth and may only be lowered to take a drink of water. Masks will be provided if you arrive without one. Actors cast in Pentacle Theatre productions must provide proof of being fully vaccinated and will be tested weekly for COVID-19 prior to performance weeks.
During performances: Pentacle Theatre requires that all patrons and volunteers wear masks to protect others. Masks must cover your nose and mouth and may only be lowered to take a drink of water or enjoy concessions pre-show and during intermission. Actors are fully vaccinated and tested weekly.
Callbacks: Oct. 30, if needed.
Rehearsals: Generally, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, beginning Nov. 3 at the Pentacle Theatre rehearsal studio, 197 Liberty St. S. in downtown Salem. The director will set weekend rehearsals and work sessions as needed. Please keep this in mind when providing your list of conflicts.
Rehearsals will be scheduled to make the best use of everyone’s time, especially for actors in school. Only actors needed for scheduled scenes will be required at rehearsals and we’ll release actors as early as possible. As we get closer to opening night, we’ll need everyone at rehearsals so we can run the whole show. If you have questions about rehearsals, please contact the director.
Show dates: Friday, Jan. 13 – Saturday, Feb 4. Cast members may be required to make special appearances for marketing purposes in the weeks before the show opens.
The story: Set in 1912, Priestley’s classic play, which centers on a middle-class British family called to account for its moral crimes by the enigmatic Inspector Goole, stands as a metaphor for our own failure to accept our responsibility to others. — Sources: Samuel French and Wikipedia
The characters: Casting seven actors able to play the following roles:
- Inspector Goole — age: 20’s+, not gender-specific— A mysterious inspector who says they are investigating the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and questions the Birlings’ involvement in it. We are looking for an actor to bring alive the mystery of this role and bring a contemporary edge to this piece.
- Arthur Birling — age: mid-50s — A wealthy factory owner and politician. He represents the capitalist ruling class and describes himself with pride as a hard-headed businessperson.
- Syble Birling — age: about 50 — Arthur’s wife. A rather cold woman who as the leader of a charitable organization assumes a social and moral superiority over those she considers lesser.
- Sheila Birling — age: 20s — Sheila begins as a naive and self-centered young woman, but by the play’s end her social conscience has been awakened and she has a new awareness of her responsibilities to others.
- Eric Birling — age: 20s — A young man with a drinking habit, he is distanced from the rest of his family and feels he cannot talk to them about his problems.
- Gerald Croft — age: 20s – 30s — The son of Arthur’s biggest business rival, he is at the Birling home to celebrate his recent engagement to Sheila.
- Edna — age: 20s+ — The Birling family maid. A working-class member of the household staff.
Suitability: An Inspector Calls is suitable for ages 13+ who are able to handle discussions of suicide, prostitution and rape.
An Inspector Calls is generously sponsored by the Family of Alice Mary Norton.
Information: If you have questions or a conflict on the audition date, please contact director Isaac Joyce-Shaw at 971-304-8862.
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