Freshwater Theatre will be holding auditions for The Book of Liz by Amy and David Sedaris, to be directed by Scot Moore. The play contains 15 characters, two of which are pre-cast: Liz and Reverend Tollhouse. The rest of the characters are open and will be double (possibly triple) cast. A list of the characters we are auditioning for is available at the bottom of this page.

We are looking to cast 5-7 actors with a particular need for a number of actors over 40. NOTE: we will still need a few 20 and 30-somethings as well, so all actors ages 20+ are welcome.

Double-casting will be based on the audition pool, so we cannot tell you in advance exactly what combination of characters you’ll be reading for. Be prepared to be flexible – auditions will consist of readings from the script. Sides will be provided.

WHEN: Auditions will be held in half-hour slots on the following dates:
June 4th from 2 – 5pm
June 6th at 7 – 9pm
Callbacks on June 7th at 7pm

WHERE: All auditions will be held at Hennepin Square – 2021 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN.

Please email auditions@freshwatertheatre.com with your desired date and timeslot. Please include a second and third choice for scheduling flexibility and we’ll respond within 24 hours to confirm your audition time and send you an audition form to fill out before your arrival. This form will include a section asking for all conflicts you will have from August 1-September 25. If the audition dates above do not work, but you still would like to audition, please email us to see if we can set something up.

Rehearsal Dates: August 8th – September 9th. Yes, this is right after Fringe, but we will be having meetings prior to/during Fringe as well, to be worked out based on actors’ schedules.

Performance Dates: The Book of Liz opens on September 10th and runs through September 25th. We will NOT have a performance on Ivey Awards night. All performances will be at Nimbus Theatre, 1517 Central Avenue NE in Minneapolis. A modest stipend will be paid, to be determined.

The play: Sister Elizabeth (Liz) Donderstock (of the Squeamish colony) is about to be squeezed out of her life’s work – making world-class cheese balls. Her midlife version of Rumspringa and her colony’s attempts to cope with her absence paint the backdrop for this smart comedy by the brilliant brother/sister duo of David and Amy Sedaris.

The Characters
(Remember that we will be double and triple casting, so you will be reading for multiple parts)

Brother Nathaniel Brightbee: Youngish – newly arrived to Cluster Haven.  A big thinker with small hands, gets ahead of himself

Sister Constance Butterworth: Widow, Early 50′s – Fellow sister to Liz, misses her terribly when she leaves and plays third wheel to Reverend Tollhouse and Brother Brightbee

Oxana: Youngish female – Ukranian immigrant who learned English in England and thusly maintains a cockney accent

Yvone: Youngish male – Ukranian immigrant who learned English in England and thusly maintains a cockney accent

Visil: Yvone’s brother – doesn’t speak a lick of English, only Ukranian

Brother Hesikiah: Mute and elderly – worker at Cluster Haven

Duncan Trask: Gay, middle-aged – manager of the Plymouth Crock family restaurant, big into the 12-step program

Donny Polk: Gay, youngish – waiter at Plymouth Crock, hates the 12-step program people

Cecily Cole: Youngish – waitress at Plymouth Crock, also big into the 12-step program

Sophisticated Visitor: City slicker – age doesn’t matter

Rudy Bruton: restaurant patron – age doesn’t matter

Dr. Barb Ginley: Doctor in her 40′s/50′s – also into the program

Ms. Yolanda Foxley: Truck driver in her 40′s/50′s – Outsider who works with Liz at Cluster Haven