Chagrin Valley Little Theatre depends on volunteer talent for all of its plays each season. Our auditions are open to anyone with an interest in performing in community theater. Age ranges, experience levels and other requirements change from production to production, so keep your eyes on us – you just may be the one we’re looking for!
Auditions are publicized right here on our website, as well as via our mailing list, our Facebook page, our Twitter feed and via Fred Sternfeld’s the Northeast Ohio Performing Arts List (NEohioPAL). You may also find our audition notices in your local newspapers from time to time.
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. All actors cast are strictly volunteers. No AEA Contract(s) available.
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Deathtrap
Auditions for Deathtrap
by Ira Levin
Directed by Chris Bizub
AUDITIONS:
Sunday, October 11th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Monday, October 12th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
CALLBACKS:
Callbacks will be Wednesday, October 14th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
PERFORMANCES:
January 22nd, 2027 – February 7th, 2027
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 2:00 PM
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will take place Sundays thru Thursday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Rehearsals begin November 15th.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A GROUP AUDITION SLOT
WHAT TO PREPARE:
- Actors should bring a headshot or recent picture, and resume (if you have one)
- A list of conflicts from November 15th to February 7th
- Auditions will consist of readings from the script
SYNOPSIS:
In Ira Levin’s classic comedic thriller, Deathtrap, a washed-up playwright finds a chance to rise to the top once more, a shot he’d be willing to kill for. Sidney Bruhl hasn’t written a hit play for 18 years when he receives a script from a former student, Clifford Anderson, that’s a guaranteed success. His wife, Myra, suggests the two men could collaborate; Sidney jokes that it’d be just as easy to murder the young man and steal the script for his own. When Clifford arrives later that evening, no one–not even the visiting psychic–could predict where the dark events of the night will go.
Roles:
Any age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, body type, abilities, or other identities are encouraged to audition and will be considered equally in character casting, unless directly specified by the playwright as integral to their story. Age/age ranges, genders, and descriptions, if listed, are recommendations by the script but are flexible to interpretation. No roles for this production have been precast unless otherwise stated in marketing announcements regarding the auditions.
- SIDNEY BRUHL (Male Presenting. Mid 40s-60s) – A once acclaimed author fallen victim to a recent creative drought. He’s usually the smartest and most charming one in the room and wants to make sure everyone else in the room knows it. Sidney is extremely ambitious and will do almost anything to get what he wants, no matter who might be in his way.
- CLIFFORD ANDERSON (Male Presenting. 20s-30s) – An attractive and talented young writer with a bright future ahead of him. He’s usually the smartest and most charming one in the room but is fine with biding his time to let people find that out. He is extremely clever and can easily slip on fronts of innocence and naivety that belies some of his darker ambitions.
- MYRA BRUHL (Female Presenting. Mid 40s to 60s) – Sidney’s loving and supportive wife. She is a kind and calming presence during some of Sidney’s stormier moods. Her soft exterior will give way to a much firmer attitude when she needs to get Sidney off of some of his more unhealthy notions.
- HELGA TEN DORP (Female Presenting. 30+. Has a Dutch accent.*) – Celebrity Psychic who loves every minute of her fame. She is free spirited, and not easily intimidated. *Actors auditioning for Helga are encouraged to attempt her accent in their audition, but are not required to if not comfortable.*
- PORTER MILGRIM ( Male Presenting. 30+.) Sidney’s friend and attorney. Very sharp and observant of his surroundings. Isn’t sure he trusts Clifford.
If you have any questions or would like to audition for this production, but are unable to attend regular auditions, please contact the director at bizchris85@gmail.com feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding the production.
Come From Away
Auditions for Come From Away
Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Original Broadway production produced by Junkyard Dog Productions.
Come From Away is based on the true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes carrying thousands of people from around the globe were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family. As the writers say, “This is not a 9/11 play. This is a 9/12 play.” It allows us to celebrate the strength, resolve and inherent kindness of humanity in the face of unspeakable tragedy and loss.
- Director – Don Bernardo
- Producer – Tom Jones
- Music Director – David W. Coxe
- Assist. Director/Choreographer – Alex Petsche
- Stage Manager – Kate Williams-Bernardo
- Costumer – Tamara Cullen-Davis
AUDITION DATES
Sunday, November 15, 6pm to 10pm
Monday, November 16, 6pm to 10pm
Wednesday, November 18, 6pm to 10pm
Possible Call Backs on Thursday, November 19, 7pm to 9pm
AUDITION LOCATION
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls OH, 44022
The auditions will take place in the Main Stage Building. Parking is VERY limited, so please plan to arrive early to find parking in the village before your audition.
REHEARSALS
Generally Sunday – Thursday, 7pm to 9:30pm. We will start with a table read/introduction on Sunday, January 10, but regular Sun. – Thurs. rehearsals will start a week later (January 17 and following).
PERFORMANCES
March 26 – April 18, 2027
Fridays & Saturdays — 7:30 PM
Sundays, Apr. 4, 11 & 18 — 2:00 PM
AVAILABLE ROLES
- All roles are available – none have been pre-cast. We are seeking as diverse a cast as possible (age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, etc.).
- Please be aware that this show is EXTREMELY demanding physically, and all cast members must be very strong singers and actors. Actors are in constant motion during this show. Some actors never leave the stage, and others only briefly to grab occasional props or costume pieces.
- There will be no “ensemble” roles in this production. We are seeking to cast a minimum of 12 actors using the original character tracks as written, although the company may be expanded slightly at the discretion of the directors.
- For more information on the show and specific primary character descriptions, please visit https://www.mtishows.com/come-from-away and click on “Full Cast Info” link under the “12 Roles” box.
PREPARATION
- Please prepare at least one musical selection of at least 32 bars (you may sing an entire song, at the discretion of the directors). Please have sheet music prepared for the music director in a binder or otherwise fastened to facilitate page turns. Please no Sondheim or Jason Robert Brown. The accompanist will work with you to establish tempo prior to starting the audition.
- You are encouraged to select a song that tells a story. Women are particularly encouraged to select something that shows off their belt (there is more than one “belting” role in this show).
- You MAY prepare a song from the show, but if you do please have a second/alternate selection prepared to be performed at the request of the directors.
- There will be no dance/movement work in auditions.
- In addition to singing, you will be asked to do one or more cold reading(s) from the script. You may be asked to demonstrate if you can perform certain accents and/or dialects (i.e. “Newfoundlander,” British, southern US, or others) with specific character sides.
- (Please Note: The Newfoundlander speech pattern will be taught as needed to those cast during rehearsals, as all actors will be expected to perform with it at various points throughout the show. You do not “need” it for a successful audition – but it certainly won’t hurt!)
PROCESS
- We have created sign up slots from 6:00pm to 10pm. See below for link. Each actor will have 10 minutes (five to sing, five to read). We will cycle thru auditioners in sign-up order, as quickly as possible. Auditioners will be called individually from the lobby and escorted into the theatre by stage management.
- It may not be necessary to consume 10 minutes per performer, so we may work more quickly – SO EVERY AUDITIONER IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ARRIVE AT LEAST FIFTEEN TO TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE THEIR SCHEDULED TIME. Regardless of the time, if you are not present when we call you we will move on to the next auditioner signed up, and return to you when possible in sign-up order. Remember that parking will also likely be a challenge, and you should build additional time in to find space and walk to the theatre building.
SIGN UP
- No walk-ins, please. Use this link to register for an audition time: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054AAEAA2EA46-66032092-come
- If you register to audition and later decide against it, please do us the courtesy of deleting your sign up no later than 10pm on Saturday, November 14 if possible. This will help auditions go more smoothly.
- No video auditions will be accepted for this production.
- Please bring resumes and headshots if available. Be prepared to list all conflicts starting January 10, 2027. No conflicts will be accepted Tech Week (Sunday, March 21 and following to opening).
QUESTIONS?
Please email director Don Bernardo (donbernardo@sbcglobal.net) with any questions.
Pen Pals
Auditions for Pen Pals
by Michael Griffo
The OHIO PREMIERE!
AUDITIONS: Sunday, March 21 2027 at 7 PM and Monday, March 22 2027 at 7 PM
Callbacks, if needed, on March 24
Director: Matthew Wilks
Producer: Cindee Catalano (Questions? Email ccatalano@cvlt.org)
- Seeking two women (ages 50 plus) for Pen Pals
- Auditions and Performances at CVLT’s River Street Playhouse, 56 River Street Chagrin Falls, OH
- Performance Dates: April 30, May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 2027
- Rehearsals to be determined based on the availability of the cast
- Come prepared to read from the script.
Bernie and Mags live in two different countries. They’ve never met, yet they are best friends because they’ve been pen pals for more than fifty years. Since they were teenagers, they’ve shared every aspect of their lives with each other. The trivial bits, the most intimate details, all the happiness, all the heartache. Even though Bernie lives in New Jersey and Mags is from England, the women are closer to each other than anyone else in the world. Pen Pals is an extraordinary story about the enduring power of friendship and the importance of connection.