Auditions

Arrive prepared to fill out an audition form and make sure to bring your schedule and any potential conflicts.

• Everyone will read from pre-selected sides of the show.

• All characters listed are open to actors of all racial backgrounds and types.

• Age ranges are flexible for the characters.

• The director is open to casting actors in non-traditional gender roles.

We also encourage everyone to get involved in the production of our performances by helping with set design and props, sound and lighting, backstage, in the booth, or as the stage manager. There are many ways to get involved with our theater group. Just ask!

We understand there will be scheduling conflicts during the rehearsal schedule but all actors must be able to commit to all performance dates and tech week rehearsals.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the auditions!

Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP

Directed by: Randy Schultz
Assistant Director: TBD
Executive Producer: TBD

THE STORY: The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie is a classic murder mystery play that takes place in Monkswell Manor, a guesthouse where a group of strangers becomes trapped by a snowstorm. As news arrives of a murder nearby, the guests realize that the killer might be among them. Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives to investigate, but as tensions rise and secrets are uncovered, another murder occurs. The play is famous for its surprise twist ending, and audiences are traditionally asked to keep the plot's resolution a secret. The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest-running play in the world.

The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest-running play in the world, having been performed continuously in London’s West End since 1952.

NUMBER OF ACTS: 2

DURATION: 120 minutes

FIRST PRODUCED: 1952

GENRES: Mystery

SETTING: The Mousetrap is set in Monkswell Manor, a secluded English guesthouse cut off by a snowstorm. The cozy yet eerie main room becomes tense as the characters realize one of them might be a murderer.

TIME & PLACE: The Mousetrap is set in post-World War II England, around the early 1950s, in the isolated Monkswell Manor guesthouse.

AUDITION PACKET ON GOOGLE DRIVE:

AUDITION DATES: Tuesday, November 12th, and Wednesday, November 13th, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

AUDITION LOCATION: NCRD Performing Arts Center Lobby

REHEARSALS BEGIN: Sunday, November 17th, 6:00 PM

WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: TBD

TECH WEEKS: February 13th - 27th

PERFORMANCE DATES: 02/28/25 - 03/16/25

Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m., Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.

SUMMARY: The Mousetrap is Agatha Christie’s classic “whodunit,” filled with suspense, clever twists, and a touch of dark humor.

Set in the remote Monkswell Manor, a newly opened guesthouse, the play follows newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston as they welcome a group of eccentric guests—each with something to hide.

When a snowstorm isolates the manor and a murder is discovered, Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives to investigate, revealing that everyone is a suspect.

Tensions rise as secrets unfold, and suspicions mount, leading to a shocking conclusion that keeps audiences guessing until the final moment.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: 3 W / 5 M (Cross gendered casting possible for some characters)

Mollie Ralston Age flexible, but younger - Co-owner of Monkswell Manor, a newly opened guesthouse. She’s warm and friendly but harbors a few secrets that surface as the plot unfolds. Mollie is determined to make her business successful despite the challenges of an unexpected murder and her mysterious past.

As the main female lead and co-owner of the guesthouse, Mollie is central to the plot. Her background and actions are integral to the suspense, and she’s often the focal point of the mystery.

Detective Sergeant Trotter Any age - A determined police officer who arrives to investigate the murder. Trotter is straightforward and analytical, carefully observing each guest and pressing them about their pasts to uncover the killer’s identity.

The driving force behind the investigation, Trotter’s role is pivotal in uncovering secrets and building tension as he interrogates each character, leading to the climactic reveal.

Giles Ralston Age flexible, but younger - Mollie’s husband and the other owner of Monkswell Manor. Protective and somewhat suspicious, Giles’ loyalty and bravery are tested as he tries to uncover the truth behind the murder and his wife’s hidden history.

Giles is not only her partner in running Monkswell Manor but also plays a key role in the mystery. His relationship with Mollie and secrets from his past add to the suspense.

Christopher Wren Age flexible - A quirky, flamboyant, and seemingly nervous man who claims to be an architect. He’s charming yet somewhat unsettling, with a strange fascination with nursery rhymes and a secret that complicates his role in the group.

This odd, eccentric character brings an air of mystery and unpredictability to the play. His suspicious behavior and interactions with Mollie raise questions about his motives, making him a major suspect.

Mrs. Boyle Age late 50s to 70s - A senior, stern and critical, often portrayed as a figure of authority with a traditional outlook.

As a stern, critical guest with a hidden past, Mrs. Boyle’s role is significant in connecting the present events with the mystery’s roots, even though she does not remain on stage throughout the entire play.

Miss Casewell Age flexible / late 20s to mid-30s - Independent and self-assured, with a maturity that suggests some life experience.

With her aloof demeanor and guarded past, Miss Casewell adds to the intrigue and serves as a possible suspect. Her character’s backstory becomes essential as the mystery deepens.

Major Metcalf Age late 40s to early 60s - A retired army officer who exudes calmness and authority. Metcalf is pragmatic and observant, often acting as a stabilizing force within the tense group of guests, yet he’s more involved in the mystery than he initially seems.

An older, composed, and military-experienced character. Although observant and dependable, Metcalf plays a more supportive role, adding to the tension but not central to the main storyline.

Mr. Paravicini Age late 50s to 70s - An unexpected guest whose car allegedly gets stuck in a snowdrift near the manor. Paravicini is an eccentric, somewhat suspicious figure with a knack for making unsettling remarks, and his playful yet dark persona keeps everyone on edge. Eccentric and mysterious, often portrayed as older, with a flair for the dramatic.

This mysterious, somewhat unsettling character adds a dash of humor and suspicion but is ultimately less central to the mystery than others. His eccentricity primarily serves to distract and mislead both the characters and the audience.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend the posted audition dates and would like to make alternate plans, please contact us by using the form below.