Arsenic and Old Lace - Open Auditions and Production Volunteer Opportunities
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Carrollwood Players Theatre announces open auditions and offstage production opportunities for:
Arsenic and Old Lace
by Joseph Kesselring
A Mainstage Comedy
Directed by Alicia Spiegel
Audition Dates:
Sunday and Monday, July 19th and 20th, 2026 at 7 p.m.
_________________
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat.
Mortimer rushes to tell Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him.
Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police – not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage – it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makesit to his wedding.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Presented with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Arsenic and Old Lace is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Auditions will be at Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618
_________________
PRODUCTION DATES:
October 16th - 25th, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m.
Saturday, October 24th at 2 p.m.
Call time for all performers and crew on performance dates is 1 hour prior to showtime.
_________________
Tech Week:
October 11th - 15th, 2026
Performers and some production volunteers/crew MUST be available for all tech week rehearsals and all performances. There are no exceptions! You MUST complete the online sign-up form in advance to attend this audition or be considered for production volunteer opportunities. PLEASE LIST ALL POTENTIAL DATE SCHEDULE CONFLICTS ON THE ONLINE FORM.
Complete the form at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5cnyXPJHCGvXwpEJSp_EptKHu-MtddsOLeDuiNFhJvGc3zg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115355412205337439906
IMPORTANT: If you have SIGNIFICANT conflicts between auditions and tech week, please carefully consider whether or not you are in a position to participate in this production. We are looking for performers who are AVAILABLE and COMMITTED to this production.
Please take care to complete the conflict section of this form accurately and completely. Casting and staffing decisions and rehearsal schedules are based in part on information you provide about potential conflict dates.
_________________
Rehearsals:
The exact rehearsal schedule is to be determined, but rehearsals are usually 2-3 days per week, mostly weekday nights, but there may be rehearsals on Saturdays in the daytime and/or Sundays in the evening. Weekday evening rehearsals generally begin at 7 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. (possibly later during tech week) Sunday evening rehearsals generally begin at 6 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. There will be a total of approximately 20-25 rehearsals for this production.
The rehearsal schedule intensifies as opening night draws closer. Tech week rehearsals often run later into the evening.
_________________
No experience is necessary. All roles are open. All ethnicities, identities and abilities are strongly encouraged to audition for any and all roles. This is a non-paid opportunity.
Headshots and resumes are encouraged but not required.
You may send in advance to [email protected]
_________________
Production Volunteer Opportunities: Let us know what you are interested in helping with!
_________________
Roles Available:
The play is set in 1940 in Brooklyn, NY. Please note there may be a kiss between Mortimer Elaine. Actors of any age (18+) are encouraged to audition for any role.
Mortimer Brewster (25-40, lead role, heavy physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha, Mortimer is a drama critic who is engaged to Elaine; he is a nice man who cares for his aunts.
Abby Brewster (50-70, lead role). A darling spinster lady who poisons elderly men; Abby is the sister of Martha and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Martha Brewster (50-70, lead role). A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men, Martha is the sister of Abby and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Teddy Brewster (40-50, large supporting role, physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy plays the bugle (badly) and thinks that he is President Theodore Roosevelt.
Elaine Harper (25-40, will match age of Mortimer, supporting role). A spunky woman and Mortimer's fiancee, Elaine is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper; she is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister's daughter.
Jonathan Brewster (30-40, large supporting role). The villain of the show. Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Jonathan is a psychopath who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.
Dr. Einstein (40-60, large supporting role). A plastic surgeon and an alcoholic "doctor", Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan's face three times. May use a bad German accent.
Officer O'Hara (30+, supporting role). A police officer, O'Hara is a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.
Rev. Doctor Harper (50+, single scene). Minister who lives next to the cemetery, and father of Elaine.
Mr. Gibbs (any age, single scene). A man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.
Lt. Rooney (50+, single scene). A tough and dominating police officer.
Mr. Witherspoon (40+, single scene). Owner of Happy Dale Sanatorium.
Officer Brophy & Officer Kline. (any age, may double with other single scene roles). Beat cops.
_________________
What to Prepare:
Actors will perform cold readings from the script.
VIDEO AUDITIONS - PLEASE NOTE: We prefer to see all auditions in person. Requests for video submissions will only be considered if we are unable to source sufficient talent from those auditioning in person. If you wish to audition by video only, there is no need to complete this form.
Please email us at [email protected] and we'll put you on our backup list.
Alternate audition dates: We regret we are not able to schedule an alternate audition date for you.
What to expect on your audition date:
We expect a LARGE turnout for auditions, and space is LIMITED. We regret we cannot admit any guests, companions, or observers.
Auditions begin at 7 p.m. and doors will open at 6:45 p.m. IMPORTANT information is covered at the beginning of each session, therefore it is imperative that you are prepared to begin on time. No auditioners will be admitted after 7:05 p.m.
----------------------------
You MAY apply to audition AND apply for offstage opportunities (in the event you are not cast), though some offstage positions may be filled prior to the audition dates. If you apply to audition AND to volunteer offstage, we will assume your first preference is to perform.
----------------------------
Questions may be directed to [email protected]
Arsenic and Old Lace
by Joseph Kesselring
A Mainstage Comedy
Directed by Alicia Spiegel
Audition Dates:
Sunday and Monday, July 19th and 20th, 2026 at 7 p.m.
_________________
Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat.
Mortimer rushes to tell Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him.
Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police – not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage – it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makesit to his wedding.
Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic dark comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Presented with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Arsenic and Old Lace is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Auditions will be at Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618
_________________
PRODUCTION DATES:
October 16th - 25th, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m.
Saturday, October 24th at 2 p.m.
Call time for all performers and crew on performance dates is 1 hour prior to showtime.
_________________
Tech Week:
October 11th - 15th, 2026
Performers and some production volunteers/crew MUST be available for all tech week rehearsals and all performances. There are no exceptions! You MUST complete the online sign-up form in advance to attend this audition or be considered for production volunteer opportunities. PLEASE LIST ALL POTENTIAL DATE SCHEDULE CONFLICTS ON THE ONLINE FORM.
Complete the form at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5cnyXPJHCGvXwpEJSp_EptKHu-MtddsOLeDuiNFhJvGc3zg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=115355412205337439906
IMPORTANT: If you have SIGNIFICANT conflicts between auditions and tech week, please carefully consider whether or not you are in a position to participate in this production. We are looking for performers who are AVAILABLE and COMMITTED to this production.
Please take care to complete the conflict section of this form accurately and completely. Casting and staffing decisions and rehearsal schedules are based in part on information you provide about potential conflict dates.
_________________
Rehearsals:
The exact rehearsal schedule is to be determined, but rehearsals are usually 2-3 days per week, mostly weekday nights, but there may be rehearsals on Saturdays in the daytime and/or Sundays in the evening. Weekday evening rehearsals generally begin at 7 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. (possibly later during tech week) Sunday evening rehearsals generally begin at 6 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. There will be a total of approximately 20-25 rehearsals for this production.
The rehearsal schedule intensifies as opening night draws closer. Tech week rehearsals often run later into the evening.
_________________
No experience is necessary. All roles are open. All ethnicities, identities and abilities are strongly encouraged to audition for any and all roles. This is a non-paid opportunity.
Headshots and resumes are encouraged but not required.
You may send in advance to [email protected]
_________________
Production Volunteer Opportunities: Let us know what you are interested in helping with!
_________________
Roles Available:
The play is set in 1940 in Brooklyn, NY. Please note there may be a kiss between Mortimer Elaine. Actors of any age (18+) are encouraged to audition for any role.
Mortimer Brewster (25-40, lead role, heavy physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha, Mortimer is a drama critic who is engaged to Elaine; he is a nice man who cares for his aunts.
Abby Brewster (50-70, lead role). A darling spinster lady who poisons elderly men; Abby is the sister of Martha and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Martha Brewster (50-70, lead role). A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men, Martha is the sister of Abby and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.
Teddy Brewster (40-50, large supporting role, physical comedy skills). Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy plays the bugle (badly) and thinks that he is President Theodore Roosevelt.
Elaine Harper (25-40, will match age of Mortimer, supporting role). A spunky woman and Mortimer's fiancee, Elaine is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper; she is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister's daughter.
Jonathan Brewster (30-40, large supporting role). The villain of the show. Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Jonathan is a psychopath who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.
Dr. Einstein (40-60, large supporting role). A plastic surgeon and an alcoholic "doctor", Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan's face three times. May use a bad German accent.
Officer O'Hara (30+, supporting role). A police officer, O'Hara is a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.
Rev. Doctor Harper (50+, single scene). Minister who lives next to the cemetery, and father of Elaine.
Mr. Gibbs (any age, single scene). A man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.
Lt. Rooney (50+, single scene). A tough and dominating police officer.
Mr. Witherspoon (40+, single scene). Owner of Happy Dale Sanatorium.
Officer Brophy & Officer Kline. (any age, may double with other single scene roles). Beat cops.
_________________
What to Prepare:
Actors will perform cold readings from the script.
VIDEO AUDITIONS - PLEASE NOTE: We prefer to see all auditions in person. Requests for video submissions will only be considered if we are unable to source sufficient talent from those auditioning in person. If you wish to audition by video only, there is no need to complete this form.
Please email us at [email protected] and we'll put you on our backup list.
Alternate audition dates: We regret we are not able to schedule an alternate audition date for you.
What to expect on your audition date:
We expect a LARGE turnout for auditions, and space is LIMITED. We regret we cannot admit any guests, companions, or observers.
Auditions begin at 7 p.m. and doors will open at 6:45 p.m. IMPORTANT information is covered at the beginning of each session, therefore it is imperative that you are prepared to begin on time. No auditioners will be admitted after 7:05 p.m.
----------------------------
You MAY apply to audition AND apply for offstage opportunities (in the event you are not cast), though some offstage positions may be filled prior to the audition dates. If you apply to audition AND to volunteer offstage, we will assume your first preference is to perform.
----------------------------
Questions may be directed to [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
4333 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL, United States, Florida 33618
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherCarrollwood Players Theatre
