Auditions

Jesus Christ Superstar (2018) - Photo by Richard Brown

Open Auditions

Progress auditions are open to members, all ex-members, and non-members residing within 10 miles of Progress.

If you are cast for a show, you will need to become a member, this is for legal and safety reasons.

Inclusion

Progress Theatre is committed to the principles of inclusion, and roles are open to all, including any age, gender identity, disability or ethnicity. Although some characters may be historical figures, auditionees of different ethnicities, disabilities and gender identities are encouraged to audition. We are committed to improving our access to all and would love to welcome you to the Progress community. Please get in touch at [email protected], to let us know if you have any access/inclusion requirements or concerns including (but not exclusive to): disability, gender, race, sexuality, gender identity, age, or financial aid.

 


Progress Preimeres Auditions - Moles / Dirt

 

Moles

  • 15:30 - 18:30 Sunday 3rd March at Palmer Park, United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN
  • 19:30 - 22:15 Wednesday 6th March at Palmer Park, United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN

Dirt

  • 19:45 - 22:15 Sunday 3rd March at Palmer Park, United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN
  • 19:30 - 22:15 Tuesday 5th March at Palmer Park, United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN

 

For audition extracts or any queries, please contact the directors, below:

Moles, Paul Haigh – [email protected]

Dirt, Adam Wells – [email protected]

 

***PLEASE NOTE, MAKE SURE TO REGISTER YOUR CAR INSIDE URC WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF PARKING IF YOU ARE DRIVING, AS THEY HAVE A NEW SYSTEM AND WE WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE FINED!​​***

 

Moles

Set in a London Underground bunker, Moles is a drama about the staff who supervise the railways during the Second World War. A new member of staff arrives, but as the action develops we learn that the station has a mole, but who can it be?

CHARACTERS:

Miss Ava Hart - F20-30 - Switchboard Operator

Cath Willis - F20-30 - Switchboard Operator

Dotty Green - F20-30 - Secretary

Vera Brooke - F50-60 - Switchboard Supervisor

Peter Harris - M20-30 - Engineer

Christopher Taylor - M20-30 - Engineer

Mr Morgan - M50-60 - Head of REC, London

Mr Cooper - M50-60 - Snr Manager

Mr Grantham - M50-60 - Head of REC, Coventry

Audition Piece

Dirt 

A family of graverobbers finds their new pitch an extra corpse heavy. Who is the second body? Who put her there and why? A dark, pacey and character-driven whodunnit set in the murky underbelly of early nineteenth century Manchester. As scenes jump backwards and forwards through time layers unravel without ever fully revealing the true picture.

 

CHARACTERS:

 

Samuel (Playing age: late teens to early thirties) - One of the brothers. More like his dad. Grounded, realist. Dismissive of Charlie. Carries a bit of physical menace.

Charlie (Playing age: late teens to early thirties) - The other brother. More of a dreamer, slightly picked on by Samuel and father. Thoughtful, intellectual, slightly romanticises things.

Nell (Playing age: late teens to early thirties) - The sister. Smart, savvy – more so than her family realises. Mixed up in various local gangs, and seems to have earned some prominence within them.

Father (Playing age: forties to sixties) -  Patriarchal, tough, experienced graverobber. Very no-nonsense and a disciplinarian who keeps his tribe of children in check. Recently out of debtor's prison.

Rose (Playing age: late teens to early thirties. Possibly a little older) -  Former friend/acquaintance of Nell's and seems to have a connection to Charlie and Sam too. Naive, and seems to be mixed up in stuff – slightly over her head. We see Rose both as a corpse and as the centre of the flashback scenes. 

Audition Piece


Auditions for The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde

Renowned as Oscar Wilde’s finest and best-loved romantic comedy, The Importance of Being
Earnest is a hilarious tale of double lives and mistaken identities. With romance and
misadventure at every turn, this classic is given new life in the Reading Abbey Ruins, against
a backdrop of the Gaol in which Wilde was imprisoned.
This production will provide an excellent opportunity for strong, comedic actors – presence
and projection will be important as this is an open air production, and we may (depending
on the weather!) explore the at the auditions.
It will be a true ensemble production, with each cast member expected to help (up to their
own physical limitations) with the Get In, Get Out and daily set up and pack down at the
Ruins during the run.

AUDITION DETAILS:

  • Sunday 24th March 2:30pm at Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL
  • Wednesday 27th March at 7:30pm at Progress Theatre, The Mount, Reading RG1 5HL

Call-backs possibly on Wednesday 3rd April.
Rehearsals begin w/c 15th April
Performances 17 th -27 th July at Reading Abbey Ruins


There is no need to prepare anything for the auditions, but pieces can be requested in
advance by emailing [email protected]

Please complete an audition form here before attending.


CHARACTERS:


All ages are approximate – it will be more important to cast strong performers & strike the
right dynamic between characters.


John Worthing (Jack) – Male, 20s-40s
A seemingly responsible & respectable man, who leads a double life. Cecilys guardian, he is
in love with Gwendolen.


Algernon Moncrieff – Male, 20s-30s
A charming, idle gentleman, cousin of Gwendolen & best friend of Jack. He is witty, selfish,
and has an imaginary friend “Bunbury” who he uses to get out of boring obligations.


Rev. Canon Chasuble – Male 40s-60s
The rector on Jacks estate. He harbours secret feelings for Miss Prism.


Merriman, Butler – Male, Any age
A smaller role, but integral to the plot.(May double with Lane)


Lane, Manservant – Male, Any age
A smaller role, but one with comic impact. (May double with Merriman)


Lady Bracknell – Female, 40s+
A woman with huge presence, Gwendolen’s Mother. She is snobbish & domineering,
focussed on securing a good marriage for her daughter.

Gwendolen Fairfax – Female, Late teens – 30s
Gwendolen is sophisticated, intellectual, and highly pretentious. She is in love with Jack, but
will only marry a man named Earnest.


Cecily Cardew – Female, Late teens – 30s
Cecily is charming, imaginative – a nature lover and a romantic. She is in love with Algernon,
but also fantasises about marrying a man named Earnest.


Miss Prism – Female 40s-60s
A very straight laced governess, who hides a secret attraction for Chasuble.