Angel Street (Gaslight)
By Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Matt Michrina
Open Auditions: November 26 & 27 from 6-9pm.
Performances: February 15-17 @ 7:30pm and February 18 @ 2pm
Audition Information:
Open auditions for this classic thriller will be held November 26 & 27 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM in the Altoona Community Theatre Rehearsal Hall, 1213 12th Street, Downtown Altoona.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Auditionees need only attend one night unless asked to attend callbacks, expected to be held November 29.
Actors must be available for all performances. Availability for rehearsals will be asked at auditions, please be prepared to list all conflicts from auditions to performance dates. Rehearsals are expected to begin the first week of January, with some possible work to begin in December.
If you are unable to attend general auditions, please contact the ACT Office at least a week in advance to discuss scheduling an alternative audition time.
About the show:
“Mystery and madness loom in the air in this classic Victorian thriller. Strange things have been happening in the Manningham household: items go missing, their dog is injured, and Mrs. Manningham hears footsteps coming from the locked, uninhabited top floor. She fears that she is going mad–that is certainly what Mr. Manningham believes. But when Detective Rough arrives one night to visit Mrs. Manningham while she is alone, questions arise and secrets are revealed.
First performed in 1939, this play is relevant today since it is the origin of the term “gaslighting” which Merriam-Webster named their “word of the year” for 2022.”
Cast of Characters:
Jack Manningham– (35-50) A little too well dressed. A narcissist and smooth talker. His manner is suave and authoritative. Must be capable of great violence and cruelty. Will require stage kissing and violence.
Bella Manningham– (25-35) A recent beauty but now severely depressed and highly anxious. She believes she is gradually losing her memory and going mad. Shows a wide range of emotions. Will require stage kissing and violence.
Detective Rough– (30-60) Friendly and overbearing. Easy laugh. Underneath an affable exterior lies a deeply determined man. The main driver of the plot, he spins a tale of high adventure and keeps the action moving within long passages of narration.
Nancy– (16-25) Cheeky, taunting, outrageous flirt with overt ambitions to sleep with Mr. Manningham and become the lady of the house. She has many “admirers” and uses her sexuality to her own advantage. Will require strong sensuality and stage kissing.
Elizabeth– (40-60) The other maid who has worked for Mrs. Manningham for quite some time. She is meek, scared, loyal and very, very worried about her Mistress’s mental health. She takes large risks to do what’s right.
All roles are available. No prior theatrical or ACT experience is required.
Roles are open to diverse & gender-inclusive casting. Our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender nonconforming, genderqueer, transgender and nonbinary actors to select the roles they most identify with.
Age ranges are suggestions, please audition for any role you would like.
Questions can be directed to the ACT Office.
Phone: 814-943-4357
Email: act@altoonacommunitytheatre.com