Audition Information

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(Please note: Specific audition information for each show will be posted approximately 6-8 weeks before the scheduled date of auditions.)

  • The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940

    Performances: March 7th-8th; 14th-16th, 21st-22nd, 2025

    Director: Kim Smith Knipe

    Assistant Director: Bailey Knipe

    Producer: Kelley Stanford


    Audition Dates/Times:

    Monday, November 4th at 7pm & Wednesday, November 6th at 7pm.

    Please note: You will only have to come to one night of auditions but will be expected to stay for the entire time that night. Doors will open at 6:45pm.

    Auditions will start promptly at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:45.

    Audition Details:

    Audition form available here or paper version available upon arrival. Conflicts requested at time of audition.

    Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and some improvisation. Several characters require accents or basic singing ability (see character descriptions for specifics) so please come prepared to show those skills as well. No prepared monologues required.

    Audition Location:

    810 North Whitford

    Lionville, PA 19353

    Parking is available only at Marsh Creek Community Church (101 Crump Rd, Exton, PA 19341) down the street. Auditionees with mobility issues may park in the small lot behind the theater.

    Important Dates:

    📆 Rehearsals - Sundays 1-4pm, Mondays 7-10pm, Wednesdays 7-10pm

    🛠️ Set Building - February 15th, 22nd, & March 1st - 10am - ?? (must attend at least two)

    🎭 Tech Week will be March 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (Sunday-Wednesday) 6pm until ~10pm

    Performance Dates:

    Friday, 3/7 at 8pm, Saturday, 3/8 at 8pm, Friday, 3/14 at 8pm, Saturday, 3/15 at 8pm, Sunday, 3/16 2pm- Relaxed Performance, Friday, 3/21 8pm, & Saturday, 3/22 2pm

    Character list with descriptions:

    Michael Kelly- “the police sergeant” 35+. POC preferred, open to all genders. Serious.

    Elsa Von Grossenknueten- “the host” 30-50. Rich, eccentric, attractive, confident, poised.

    Helsa Wenzel- “the maid” 20-40, open to all genders. Able and willing to play male and female characters as this actor may double with a male character. Passable German accent. Efficient, matter of fact.

    Patrick O’Reilly- “the Irish tenor” 30-50. Irish looking, passable Irish and German accents. Suspicious.

    Ken De La Maize- “the director” 40’s. Handsome, charismatic, self-centered.

    Nikki Crandall- “the chorus girl” 20-30. Pretty, smart, can carry a tune.

    Eddie McCuen- “the struggling comedian” 25-35. Enthusiastic, awkward, can carry a tune.

    Marjorie Baverstock- “the producer” 40+. Carries herself like royalty, avant-garde.

    Bernice Roth- “the lyricist” 35-50. Bohemian, zany, often inebriated.

    Roger Hopewell- “the composer” 25-40. The foil to Bernice’s zaniness, quietly talented.

    NOTE: To increase the safety of the youth members of our community as well as those working with them, clearances are required for all cast and crew members who are 18 years of age and older if minors are a part of the show. The two clearances required are the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance and the Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check. Both are free for volunteers and need to be handed in at auditions or at the latest during the read through; those over 18 will not be able to rehearse at rehearsals with youth until they are received. Typically, these are returned to the requester within days of the request to the linked agencies. More details about the handling of clearances will be shared at auditions but if you have any urgent questions contact the Membership Chair at membership@barleysheaf.org.