AUDITIONS: THE LION IN WINTER (Mar. 23 - 25, 2026)
Schedule
Mon, 23 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Wed, 25 Mar, 2026 at 10:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
5021 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA, United States, California 90804 | Long Beach, CA
AUDITION NOTICE:TITLE: LION IN WINTER
AUTHOR: JAMES GOLDMAN
DIRECTOR: JAMES RICE
RUN: May 16, 2026 – June 13, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events.
This is a volunteer community theater production. Non-Equity. There is no pay.
AUDITION DATES:
Open Call:
Dates: Monday, March 23 & Tuesday, March 24, 2026
(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions.)
Times: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Long Beach Playhouse
Callbacks: By Invitation Only.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Times: 7pm - 10pm
REHEARSALS:
First Read-Through: Saturday, March 28, 2026, Noon - 4pm
Regular Rehearsal: Starting Date - March 30, 2026, Monday thru Thursday, 7pm - 10:00pm, Saturdays 10pm - 2pm.
(Please see beginning rehearsal schedule for specific dates and times.)
Location: Long Beach Playhouse
NOTE: Open to working with some limited minor conflicts, but we will not be casing people with conflicts on tech dates and performances.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Bring headshot and resume.
Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions.
SHORT SYNOPSIS:
It is 1183 in the medieval Angevin Empire. Fifty-year-old Henry II of England seeks to establish a line of succession and summons his family for Christmas at his castle in Chinon, Touraine. He wants his youngest son, John, to inherit his throne, while his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, reprieved from imprisonment in England by Henry for the holiday, favours their eldest surviving son, Richard, a proven warrior. Henry invites Philip II of France, son and successor of Louis VII, Eleanor's first husband, to settle some business. Louis had made a treaty with Henry pledging Philip's half-sister Alais, currently Henry's mistress, in troth to Henry's future heir; Philip demands either a wedding or the return of her dowry, the strategically important county of Vexin near Paris.
CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
NOTE: A British Dialect may be required.
HENRY II (M, 50 - 60, all ethnicities.)
King of England. Although aging, Henry acts like a much younger man. He has boisterous energy, a forbidding temper, and a relentless drive that makes him a formidable opponent. He is determined to have John, his youngest son, as his heir, but he knows that if he does his remaining family could start a civil war. He is in love with his much younger mistress, Alais, the daughter of the late King of France, but has no qualms using her as a bargaining chip in his plans. (Role may require an Intimate Moment with the character of Alais - Kissing.)
ELEANOR (F, 60 - 68, all ethnicities.)
Queen of England, Duchess of Aquitaine, & former Queen of France, Henry’s estranged wife, has been imprisoned under house arrest for ten years for supporting her sons in an unsuccessful rebellion. A decade older than Henry, she’s always been his equal in intelligence, wit, & ambition. Her love for him is conflicted: she cares deeply for him but fiercely resists being disregarded or subordinate. Years ago, when Henry turned to a mistress, Eleanor devoted herself to raising Richard, her son.
RICHARD (M, 25 - 35, all ethnicities.)
The eldest surviving son of Henry and Eleanor, Richard has been a famous soldier since his sixteenth birthday. He’s impressive and domineering but has a tense relationship with both of his parents. Richard is his mother’s favorite, yet he’s wary of her. He wonders if she genuinely loves and supports him or uses him as a tool in her conflict with his father. Richard feels neglected and excluded by Henry and silently yearns for his father’s approval but covers his pain with his warrior’s demeanor. (Role may require some Same-Sex Intimacy with the Character of Philip - Kissing/Embracing.)
GEOFFREY (M, 20 - 25, all ethnicities.)
The second eldest surviving son of Henry and Eleanor, Geoffrey is attractive, charming, and the most intelligent of the brothers. His parents, however, never consider him in the running to be king— even though he possesses the intellectual promise of a great monarch. His feelings of being neglected have made him a cold amoral schemer who constantly changes his alliances between Richard and John, hoping to disgrace them both so he can gain the throne and his parents’ love and respect.
JOHN (M, 16 - 25 to play a 16 y.o, all ethnicities.)
The youngest son of Henry and Eleanor, John is Henry’s favorite and his chosen heir. Though he can be sweetly charming when he wishes, he has been spoiled rotten by his father, and often taunts his brothers, knowing that Henry will back him up. However, beneath his boasting, he is deeply insecure, as he knows he has neither Richard’s brawn nor Geoffrey’s brain. His lack of maturity and desperate desire to come out on top lead him to trust anyone who offers him a helping hand.
ALAIS (Pronounced “Alice”) (F, 20 - 25, all ethnicities.)
Daughter of the late King of France and half-sister to King Philip. She is deeply in love with Henry, many years her senior, and has been his mistress for seven years. In that time, she has grown from a simple teenage girl to a gentle and thoughtful young woman with a quiet strength. Though at times she tries to match Henry’s family in their ruthlessness, she knows her kind nature will not allow her to truly compete with them. (Role may require an Intimate Moment with the character of Henry II - Kissing.)
PHILIP (M, 18 - 24, all ethnicities.)
The young King of France, half-brother to Alais. Philip has come to Henry’s court to demand that a treaty made with his late father be fulfilled. He is relatively new to his throne and initially behaves with a commanding dignity, showing little emotion. When his negotiations with Henry fail, he encourages the rebellious thoughts of Henry’s sons, making empty promises to each in turn. Philip is especially close to Richard, who was his lover two years ago. (Role may require some Same-Sex Intimacy with the Character of Richard - Kissing/Embracing.)
Where is it happening?
5021 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA, United States, California 90804
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
