Murder on the Orient Express Audition Information
Audition Dates: Saturday, June 13 10:00 am
Sunday, June 14 6:00 pm
Call backs (or First Read-Through): Tuesday, June 16 6:00 pm
Cast Dialect Training*: Wednesday, June 17, 6:00 pm
Individual Dialect Training**: Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23, time TBA
Read-Through: Wednesday, June 24 6:00 pm
Rehearsals will begin June 29 at 6:00 pm, and will usually be on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
*Only those characters who use a dialect need attend
** Optional individual training will be scheduled as needed
No dialect is required for auditions. You are welcome to use one if you are prepared to do so. Those who are cast will learn a technique called “Signature Sounds” which doesn’t require using an accent the entire time you are speaking and is easy to learn.
Call or text Joanne Helms, Director, with your questions. 858-472-0706
Character List
| Hercule Poirot (French accent) | M | 40’s – 60’s | Famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well- deserved reputation. |
| Monsieur Bouc (French accent) | M | 30’s – 60’s | A Belgian gentleman of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be a comedian. |
| Colonel Arbuthnot (Scottish accent) | M | 30’s – 40’s | Scotsman, middle aged, handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; good comic timing is a plus. |
| Samuel Ratchett (American) | M | 30’s – 40’s | Middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, and domineering. Dies in first act. Lying “dead” for some scenes will be required. |
| Helen Hubbard (American) | F | 40’s – 70’s | An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy and brash; unapologetic; must be a comedienne. Also sings. Please familiarize yourself with the song “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”. |
| Countess Andrenyi (Hungarian accent) | F | 30’s – 50’s | Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower. |
| Mary Debenham (English accent) | F | 20’s – 30’s | An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person. |
| Princess Dragomiroff (Russian accent) | F | 40’s – 70’s | a Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient. Everyone knows when she enters the room. More battle axe than princess. |
| Hector MacQueen (American) | M | 20’s – 50’s | Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound. Assistant to Samuel Ratchett. |
| Michel the Conductor (French accent) Head Waiter (Turkish accent maybe) | M | 20’s – 50’s | One actor will play two roles. Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, with a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite. Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; comic timing. |
| Greta Ohlsson (Swedish accent) | F | 20’s – 60’s | Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be a comedienne. |