- This event has passed.
Auditions – Harvey
June 5 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
June 5, 6 at the Campus Theatre
Theatre Denton is holding auditions for Harvey by Mary Chase. Directed by Mike Barrow, auditions will be held June 5, 6, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Campus Theatre located at 214 West Hickory in Denton, Texas.
All roles are available and include:
Male Roles:
Elwood P. Dowd (Lead) (Age 35-60) Elwood P. Dowd is the central character of the play, a charming eccentric whose best friend is Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit. Elwood is well mannered, very friendly, and has “old-school gentleman charm”. Elwood is Veta’s older brother but the age difference needn’t be dramatic.
Dr. William B. Chumley (Age 50-80) Dr. Chumley is an esteemed psychiatrist and the head of Chumley’s Rest with years of experience. He is a difficult, exacting man who will go to any length to protect the reputation of his sanitarium.
Dr. Lyman Sanderson (Age 25-40) Dr. Sanderson is a young and highly qualified psychiatrist, handpicked by Dr. Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly as she is with him, though he struggles not to let on.
Wilson (Age 25-55) Wilson is the muscle of Chumley’s Rest, a devoted orderly responsible for handling the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily. He sets his sites on Myrtle Mae Simmons soon after meeting her.
Judge Omar Gaffney (Age 40-80) The judge is an old family friend of the Dowds and the family’s lawyer. He is fiercely protective of the family and surprisingly understanding of Elwood’s belief in Harvey.
Female Roles:
Veta Louise Simmons (Age 35-60) Elwood’s younger sister, Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is intent on landing a suitable husband for her daughter Myrtle Mae. She is very concerned about fitting into society and all the social proprieties that that involves. She also loves her older brother Elwood very much. This is the dynamic that drives the action of the play.
Ruth Kelly (Age 25-35) Nurse Kelly is a sympathetic character, a woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. She is sweet and kind and looks for the best in people.
Myrtle Mae Simmons (Age 25-40) Myrtle is Veta’s Daughter (Elwood’s Niece). Both Veta and Myrtle are about the business of finding Myrtle a man to marry-a mission that is made impossible with Elwood and Harvey constantly popping in. Myrtle is extremely self-centered.
Ethel Chauvenet (Age 50-80) Mrs. Chauvenet is an old friend of the family. She is an elite member of the town’s social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into. A smaller role (Act 1 only).
Betty Chumley (Age 50-80) Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife. A smaller role (Act 2 only).
Gender neutral role
- J. Lofgren (Adult-Open age) E.J. Lofgren is a cab driver whose monologue about sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. This role has a single scene near the very end and would have a limited rehearsal schedule.
Resumes and headshots are appreciated, but not required. Auditions are open – no appointment needed – and will consist of cold readings from the script. Rehearsals will be primarily M-F, 7pm-10pm. If you would like to be considered for a technical or stage crew position, please come to auditions and visit with the show’s producers.
About the show:
Set in the 1940’s, this gentle comedy centers around Elwood P. Dowd, a kind, eccentric man who lives with his social climbing sister, Veta, and her grown daughter. Elwood has a special friend that only he can see, but he describes him as a 6’3” white rabbit named Harvey. Veta is convinced that Elwood needs to be committed and upon arrival at the sanitarium, a zany comedy of errors ensues. Suitable for all ages.
Performances are August 18, 19, 24k 25, 26 at 7:30pm and August 20, 27 at 2:00pm.
