Actors Needed for "A Man for All Seasons" Play Audition
In need of male and female talent for the "A Man for All Seasons" show. See the details below. About the project: This tragic historical drama offers a brilliant portrait of Sir Thomas More in his last years as Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII. When Henry fails to obtain papal approval for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn, he mandates his subjects to sign an “Act of Supremacy” making him both spiritual and temporal leader of England. Sir Thomas cannot in good conscience comply. Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey, his family, and the King himself are all unable to convince More otherwise, as he maintains his integrity and belief in silence. Ultimately accused of high treason, this very silence leads the man to his execution, and later his canonization in 1935. Although this play is about actual historical events it is not the goal of this production to perform an exacting historical reenactment of events. The story and issues in this play exist outside of any specific moment in history. As such, casting will not focus on historical accuracy. All roles are open to all ethnicities and genders. However pronouns in the text will not be modified to the actor, but will remain for the character. Additional info: Callbacks October 11th Auditions will be cold readings and scenes from pages provided at the auditions. Bringing a resume will eliminate having to list stage experience on the audition form. Performances will be January 9-25, 2026 at the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg. If you are interested, please apply.
13 roles
A scholarly, strongly moral, and well liked figure that rises to the role of Chancellor of England only to step down when he has a conflict of conscience. Someone who is logical to a fault. The face is intellectual and quickly delighted, the norm to which it returns serious and compassionate. Only in moments of high crisis does it become ascetic-though then freezingly.
The narrator and audience proxy for the play. This role takes on a number of characters of working class professions that interact with the other characters. This is the only role that breaks the fourth wall and interacts with the audience directly to engage and hype them.
A former student of More with aspirations of greater things in life. A studious unhappy face lit by the fire of banked-down appetite. An academic hounded by self-doubt to be in the world of affairs and longing to soar.
A staunch supporter of the crown and a good friend to More. A sportsman and soldier held together by rigid adherence to the minimal code of conventional duty. Attractively aware of his moral and intellectual insignificance, but also a great nobleman, untouchably convinced that his acts and ideas are important because they are his.
Wife to Thomas More. Born into the merchant class, now a great lady; she is absurd at a distance, impressive close to. Overdressed, coarsely fashioned, she worships society; brave, hothearted,she worships her husband. In consequence, troubled by and defiant towards both.
Daughter of Thomas and Alice. A young woman of ardent moral fineness. Both strongly vocal and demure as the situation calls but will let her opinion be known.
Clerk to the Chancellor of England. From common birth, has risen far in government with subtle and serious actions. A face expressing not inner tension but the tremendous outgoing will of the renaissance. A self-conceit that can cradle gross crimes in the name of effective action. In short, an intellectual bully.
A young scholar and ecclesiastical rebel. Full of passion that is the purview of youth that wants to change the world
A professional diplomat, ambassador from France, and lay ecclesiastic dressed in black. Much on his dignity as a man of the world, he in fact trots happily along a mental footpath as narrow as a peasant's.
The chancellor of England at the start of the play. A big decayed body in scarlet. An almost megalomaniac ambition unhappily matched by an excelling intellect, he now inhabits a lonely den of self-indulgence and contempt.
Not the Holbein Henry, but a much younger man, clean-shaven, bright-eyed, graceful and athletic. The Golden Hope of the New Learning throughout Europe. Only the levity with which he handles his absolute power foreshadows his future corruption.
Sharp-minded, sharp-faced. He treats the Church as a job of administration, and theology as a set of devices, for he lacks personal religiosity.
A collection of small but pivotable roles. Also to be ready to step in as needed.
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