Auditions! Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts
Schedule
Sat, 13 Sep, 2025 at 12:00 am to Sun, 14 Sep, 2025 at 06:00 am
UTC+12:00Location
Toi Poneke Arts Centre | Wellington, WG
Stagecraft presents: “Superior Donuts” By Tracy Letts
Directed by James Kiesel
26 November – 6 December 2025
“What could be more human, than to be scared, and keep it a secret.”
Arthur Przybyszewski (that's (p)Shub-er-shef-ski), is the proprietor of a modest, behind-the-times donut shop in uptown Chicago. He can't seem to find joy in anything these days, not even the donuts he used to take such pride in making by hand. Vandals armed with spray paint, predatory landlords, and that nefarious Starbucks down the road all threaten to unceremoniously snuff out the only thing he's got left.
That is, until an upstart, ambitious young man shoulders his way into becoming a Superior Donuts employee, and an unlikely friendship (or is it a rivalry?) develops, inspiring both to face the demons they've been hiding from all this time.
This is a sharp-witted, heartfelt comedy by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts (“August: Osage County”) offering a warm and wry take on depression, diversity, and bravery that will leave you feeling all fluffy and sugary on the inside. Plus, who knows, you might get a donut!
Go to the Stagecraft website to book your spot!
https://www.stagecraft.co.nz/auditions
AUDITIONS:
Auditions will be on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September, with callbacks the evening of Monday 15th September.
To book an audition, please fill out the form by 10th September - we'll be in touch to confirm your audition date, time and location. If you have any questions please get in touch at [email protected].
Roles (just try your best with accents, coaching available once casting is complete)
Arthur Przybyszewski [Male, Polish, 50s - 60s]
The owner and operator of Superior Donuts. Old, grumpy, and more than a little depressed. Secretly an artisan and a scholar, he’s spent his whole life running from conflict. Until now? [Has a scene involving some violence]
Franco Wicks [Male, African-American, 20s]
Young, idealistic, a little pushy, and full of attitude and energy. Franco believes that good things will happen to him despite all odds, and evidence, to the contrary. A former employee of Luther.
Max [Male, Russian, 40s - 60s]
Owner of the DVD shop next door, Max is interested in buying Superior Donuts to expand his (tiny) capitalist empire. Fancies himself a self-made man. [Speaks in a Russian accent, along with some dialogue in Russian]
Randy [Female, Irish-American, 30s - 40s]
Raised in the middle of 7 brothers and working as a cop in the Chicago Police Department, Randy’s always been ‘one of the boys’. Big hockey fan. Has a soft spot for Arthur.
James [Male, African-American, 30s - 40s]
Another cop with the Chicago Police Department and Randy’s beat partner. Well-respected in the community and [not so] secretly a giant Star Trek nerd. [Will consider any and all BIPOC actors for this role]
Lady [Female, Irish-American, 60s - 70s]
Likely homeless and definitely a little hard-of-hearing, Lady is a well-known as a confusing-but-likeable, perhaps even mascot-like figure in the Uptown community. Well past the point of giving a crap about what other people think.
Luther [Male, Irish-American, 30s - 40s]
Local bookie and crime-syndicate everyman, Luther has scratched out his living taking money from gambling addicts, which he finds troubling because he’d like to consider himself a good, fair man. Has a stomach ulcer which is probably somehow representative of this inner conflict. [Has a scene involving some violence]
Kevin [Male, Irish, 20s]
Another of Luther’s employees, Kevin’s probably fallen into the wrong crowd as a young man, but it doesn’t seem to trouble him that much. Seems to care mostly about getting paid and drinking Coca-Cola.
Kiril [Male, Russian, 20s - 30s]
A shy man of few words (mostly ‘hello’), Kiril is an intimidating figure with a big soft heart beating beneath his tall muscular frame. Brought into the fold to be a construction worker and bodyguard, he’s mostly interested in falling in love with the local bartender. [Most dialogue is in Russian]
