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Metro Theatre is holding Auditions for

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Written by: Oscar Wilde

Directed by: Joan Bryans

When: Sunday, August 28 at 1:00PM

Where: Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver

 

Synopsis: A satire of Victorian social hypocrisy, the witty play is considered Wilde’s greatest dramatic achievement. Jack Worthing is a fashionable young man who lives in the country with his ward, Cecily Cardew. He has invented a rakish brother named Ernest whose supposed exploits give Jack an excuse to travel to London periodically to rescue him. Jack is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax, who thinks Jack’s name is Ernest, returns his love, but her mother, Lady Bracknell, objects to their marriage because Jack is an orphan who was found in a handbag. Jack discovers that Algernon has been impersonating Ernest in order to woo Cecily, who has always been in love with the imaginary rogue Ernest. Ultimately it is revealed that Jack is really Lady Bracknell’s nephew, that his real name is Ernest, and that Algernon is actually his brother. The play ends with both couples happily united.

Show Run Dates:
 Thursday to Saturday, November 04 to Nov 20, 2022
Sunday matinees are November 06; Nov 13; Nov 20

Characters Needed

JACK (ERNEST) WORTHING
(male-identifying, age range 27-35)
The play’s protagonist. Serious and sincere, a seemingly respectable young man who leads a double life. At his country estate he is known as Jack. In London, he is known as Ernest. He is in love with his friend, Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolyn.

ALGERNON
 (male-identifying, age range 24-32)
The play’s secondary hero, nephew of Lady Bracknell, cousin of Gwendolyn and best friend of Jack. Brilliant, witty, selfish and amoral.

GWENDOLYN
(female-identifying, age range 20-28)
Lady Bracknell’s daughter and Algernon’s cousin. In love with Ernest. Sophisticated, intellectual, cosmopolitan and utterly pretentious.

CECILY
(female-identifying, age range 15-23)
Jack’s 18-year-old ward who lives in the country. Unsophisticated, romantic and imaginative. Like Gwendolyn, she is obsessed with the name Ernest and has invented a romance between herself and her Uncle Jack’s wastrel brother, Ernest.

LADY BRACKNELL
(female-identifying, age range 55 AND UP)
Algernon’s snobbish, mercenary and domineering aunt and Gwendolyn’s mother. Cunning, narrow-minded and authoritarian, given to making hilarious pronouncements.

MISS PRISM
(female-identifying, age range 35 and older)
Cecily’s governess, an endless source of pedantic bromides and cliches. Seemingly puritanical and rigid, she does have a softer side and entertains romantic feelings for Dr Chasuble.

DR CHASUBLE
(male-identifying, age range 35 and older)
The rector on Jack’s estate. Full of Victorian moral judgements but entertaining secret romantic feelings for Miss Prism.

LANE
(male-identifying, age range 25-75)
Algernon’s manservant. Lane and Merriman could be played by the same actor.

MERRIMAN
(male-identifying, age range 25-75)
The butler at Jack’s country house. Lane and Merriman could be played by the same actor

 

Callbacks: Wednesday, August 31 at 7:00PM


Rehearsal period: Tues & Thurs 7-10, sat afternoons, Sunday evenings;
first rehearsal Sat. Sept. 10th

Requirements: All cast and crew must provide proof of vaccination. All provincial public health orders will be strictly adhered to.

Notes: This is a NON-EQUITY production. All roles at Metro Theatre, are Volunteer positions. You will receive an audition time slot and obtain a side for the part(s) you indicate you are interested in, once we have received your application. Please prepare the side(s) for the character(s) of your choice .

Ethno-cultural casting statement:  We encourage submissions from artists with a broad range of backgrounds including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, indigeneity, gender, and sexuality. We encourage anyone to audition for any role as we will be casting on who is best for the role.

Resume and Headshots:

○ Please note any conflicts with auditions/callbacks or the run at this time.
○ Please let us know if there is a specific part you are interested in.

You can indicate these when filling in the THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST fillable audition form  (click on this link) and email it along with your headshot and resume to now@metrotheatre.com.

AUDITION GUIDELINES

• You can SUBMIT your interest using the show’s contact form  OR PRINT out the Fillable Audition Form and bring it and your headshot  and resume with you to the audition.

• Auditions will be cold readings from the script; the director will choose which scenes the group will read. Drop in, no appointment necessary. Open to all ethnicities.

• Auditions are for NON-EQUITY productions. All roles at Metro Theatre, are Volunteer positions. People will be seen on a first come/first served basis, but be prepared that you may have to wait after being seen as you may be needed to read opposite someone else who is auditioning.

• If you are cast, you will be required to become a Member of Metro Theatre and your 12-month Membership Fee of $20 will be collected at the first read-through.

• It is expected that actors must be capable of playing the age specified, be capable of speaking with expected accents, be able to utilize musical and dancing skills, when the part requires those skills.

• While experience is preferable it is not essential.

 

PRIVACY POLICY

Metro Theatre is collecting personal information about you.  If you are cast in this show, your contact information will be provided to other members of the company.  Unless you ask us not to,  you will be added to our mailing list; the information you provide will be made available to directors and other Metro shows for audition and casting purposes.  You may request to be removed from our mailing list at any time.