Auditions

Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, The Play That Goes Wrong is a riotous farce about a local theatre troupe attempting to stage a 1920s murder mystery—only to have everything that can go wrong, go spectacularly wrong. Props disappear, actors forget lines, set pieces collapse, and chaos reigns in this side-splitting comedy that celebrates the joy of live theatre and the beautiful art of things falling apart.

PBTS Mainstage | July 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, August 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 2026

Written by Henry Shields, Henry Lewis, & Jonathan Sayer
Directed by Tracy Olin
Sponsored by Holly & Redgie Gutshall

• You will be asked to read selections from the script.

• Please bring a headshot and resume. (If you pre-register, we will have your headshot and resume at the audition.)

• Please bring ALL known conflicts between May 10 – August 9, 2026.

• Although the schedules are currently not set, productions typically rehearse *select* weeknights (Monday – Friday, anywhere between 6:30pm – 10:00pm.) Occasional weekend rehearsals will occur depending on the conflicts and needs of the production. The director is looking at beginning in early June 2026.

• Rehearsals will be held onsite at Players by the Sea. If additional offsite locations are needed, these will be communicated to the cast with as much advance notice possible.

Please note that comfortability with speaking in a British dialect is important for this production.
Seeking actors of all genders, ethnicities, and ages for the following roles:

CHRIS (Male Identifying, 25 – 45 any ethnicity) Rigid, uptight, everything really matters. He is the director of the show, and this is the biggest day of his life. Everything is riding on this. It is a nerve wracking and exciting night. His pain is evident and every time someone laughs the pain deepens. He has equal amounts of contempt for his fellow actors & the audience watching the play.

ROBERT (Male Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) Wants to be Richard Burton, as evidenced by his declamatory style. He is, however, not a parody of a bad actor. He is unaware of others around him. He does not feel badly when things go wrong and never learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Poly Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert). Has real vocal power.

SANDRA (Female Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) She is vain and possesses a huge ego. Wants to be loved. Has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants but is smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her (like the director). The stakes are high for her. Very physical role. This role appears briefly in her underwear; no actor under the age of 18 will be considered for this role.

MAX (Male Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) He has never been on stage before. He learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do. He has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh, he breaks the 4th wall and engages with the audience. Childlike and naïve. His mistakes are fundamental. He doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval.

DENNIS (Male Identifying, 25-45, any ethnicity) He has no real desire to be involved in the theatre, he just wants to make friends (of which he has none). He believes if he does well in the show, he will be more successful socially. Laughter from the audience is agony for him. He may be slightly oblivious but understands when he gets things wrong. The laughter is a personal tragedy/failure.

TREVOR (Male Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) The play’s lighting and sound operator. He simply wants to get on with the show. Curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors. He is easily distracted and does many things he shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience. When things go really sideways, he is forced to act in the play. He hates acting.

ANNIE (Female Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) The stage manager. She has the biggest journey of any of the characters. When Sandra is indisposed Annie, who cannot bear to be on stage, must step in. Initially terrified by acting, she is willing to kill for it by the end of the play. Her initial terror turns to joy, and then to fury. She starts small but grows and grows.

JONATHAN (Male Identifying, 25 – 45, any ethnicity) A bit bland, but sees himself as a James Bond type. Excited and having fun, but not naïve. He technically has to drive the show. He cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others. Very Physical role.