Local AEA Auditions — Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

PTC ANNOUNCES LOCAL AEA AUDITIONS FOR

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson

PTC kicks off its 62nd season with the spellbinding excitement and intrigue of one of Agatha Christie’s greatest whodunnits. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case the killer decides to strike again. 

August 28 – September 22, 2023 (Rehearsals)
September 22 – October 7, 2023 (Performances)

Rehearsals run:

  • Monday – Saturday: Up to eight hours daily (with a break) between the hours of 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
  • Additional hours will be added for Technical Rehearsals beginning September 15.

Local AEA members must audition in person. This audition is for local AEA members ONLY – out of town actors may submit to our casting director Bob Cline for the New York auditions.

Audition information:

  • Actors Equity Association members must audition in-person, Friday, May 19 from 3:00-4:00 PM.
  • Call backs are by invitation only and will be held in-person, Saturday morning, May 20. Times: TBA
  • Please use the sides (provided below) in order to audition for a specific role.

AUDITION SIDES CAN BE ACCESSED HERE

How to sign up for an audition slot: (THE AUDITION PERIOD HAS NOW PASSED)

Audition location:

Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
300 South 1400 East, Room 245
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

 

Cast breakdown for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

All roles listed in character breakdown below are available.

Pioneer Theatre Company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is seeking all races, ethnicities, body types, gender identities, actors with disabilities, and actors of all ages for roles in this production.

In reference to the character descriptions below- most characters we encounter currently are written with man/woman, he/him, or she/her pronouns and you will see that in the following descriptions. However, limiting the descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

POIROT: Male, 50-60, a famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well-deserved reputation. Excellent comic timing.

BOUC: Male, 30-50, a Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian.

RATCHETT/COL. ARBUTHNOT: Male, 30-55, one actor will play two roles. Samuel Ratchett: middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, domineering. Colonel Arbuthnot: Scotsman, also middle aged, handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; must have great comic timing.

MICHEL/MARCEL: Male, 35-50, one actor will play two roles. Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, about 40, a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite. Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing.

MARY DEBENHAM: Female, 30-39, an English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.

GRETA OHLSSON: Female, 25-50, inherently odd, a very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.

COUNTESS ANDRENYI: Female, 25-35, brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Hungarian accent.

MRS. HUBBARD: Female, 40-65, an outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy and brash; unapologetic; must be an excellent comedienne. Requires singing.

PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF: Female, 60-70, a Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient. Comic timing.

MACQUEEN: Male, 30-40, tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.