Back to Casting CallsCasting Calls

"The Importance of Being Earnest" Stage Play Needs Actors

South Bend, IN, United States
ID: 282207Exp: 4/21/2025
Description:

"The Importance of Being Earnest" play seeking cast. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. See more info below. About the project: SYNOPSIS: John Worthing, a carefree young gentleman, is the inventor of a fictitious brother, “Ernest,” whose wicked ways afford John an excuse to leave his country home from time to time and journey to London, where he stays with his close friend and confidant, Algernon Moncrieff. Algernon has a cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, with whom John is deeply in love. During his London sojourns, John, under the name Ernest, has won Gwendolen’s love, for she strongly desires to marry someone with the confidence-inspiring name of Ernest. But when he asks for Gwendolen’s hand from the formidable Lady Bracknell, John finds he must reveal he is a foundling who was left in a handbag at Victoria Station. This is very disturbing to Lady Bracknell, who insists that he produce at least one parent before she consents to the marriage. Returning to the country home where he lives with his ward Cecily Cardew and her governess Miss Prism, John finds that Algernon has also arrived under the identity of the nonexistent brother Ernest. Algernon falls madly in love with the beautiful Cecily, who has long been enamored of the mysterious, fascinating brother Ernest. With the arrival of Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen, chaos erupts. It is discovered that Miss Prism is the absent-minded nurse who twenty years ago misplaced the baby of Lady Bracknell’s brother in Victoria Station. Thus John, whose name is indeed Ernest, is Algernon’s elder brother, and the play ends with the two couples in a joyous embrace. Additional info: Call back date: Friday, April 25 6:00-8:00 PM First rehearsal: Monday, May 5th @ 6 PM Rehearsals will be held: Monday-Thursday from 6 to 9 PM Tech week begins: Monday, June 9th Dress rehearsals begin: Monday, June 16th PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, June 19th @ 7:00 pm – PREVIEW NIGHT FRIDAY, June 20th @ 7:00 pm – OPENING NIGHT SATURDAY, June 21st @ 7:00 pm SUNDAY, June 22nd @ 7:00 pm THURSDAY, June 26th @ 7:00 pm FRIDAY, June 27th @ 7:00 pm SATURDAY, June 28th @ 7:00 pm SUNDAY, June 29th @ 7:00 pm – Followed by mandatory striking of the set/costumes/props/etc. Details will be given prior to final week of dress rehearsals. If you are interested, please apply.

9 roles

John "Jack" Worthing, J.P. (Justice of the Peace) - (aka Ernest)Both genders26-34 y.o.All ethnicities

A wealthy young gentleman who takes life seriously. He is a friend of Algernon whose behavior he sometimes deplores. Jack is Cecily’s guardian and is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax. Male-identifying.

Algernon MoncrieffBoth genders26-34 y.o.All ethnicities

The brilliantly witty and blithely selfish nephew of Lady Bracknell and cousin to Gwendolen Fairfax. He is Jack’s best friend and is in love with Cecily Cardew. Male-identifying.

Gwendolen FairfaxBoth genders20-29 y.o.All ethnicities

Algernon’s young, aristocratic, and charmingly superficial cousin and Lady Bracknell’s daughter. She is in love with Jack. Female-identifying.

Lady BracknellBoth genders50-65 y.o.All ethnicities

Domineering, cunning, mercenary, and snobbish. She is Gwendolen’s mother, and she means to see her daughter well-married. A formidable woman, Lady Bracknell is used to having her own way in all ways. Female-identifying.

Cecily CardewBoth genders18-22 y.o.All ethnicities

A young woman given to romantic fantasies and intrigued by the wickedness of Jack’s brother. She is the simpler, more innocent country girl to Gwendolyn’s sophisticated city girl. Female-identifying. Age: 18.

Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D. (Doctor of Divinity)Both genders55-56 y.o.All ethnicities

The pleasant rector on Jack’s estate and has a crush on Miss Prism. Male-identifying.

Miss PrismBoth genders50-56 y.o.All ethnicities

Cecily’s pedantic governess. She is somewhat puritanical, but her softer side leans toward Dr. Chasuble. She once wrote an important novel. Female-identifying.

LaneBoth genders40-56 y.o.All ethnicities

Algernon’s butler/maid. Lane only appears in Act I. Male or female-identifying.

MerrimanBoth genders40-56 y.o.All ethnicities

Jack's butler/maid at the Manor House. Merriman only appears in Act II and III. Male or female-identifying.