THECOMPANYTHEATRE.

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT​

​The Company Theatre will be holding in-person and online auditions for GREAT EXPECTATIONS, based on the novel by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by Donald Brenner.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens
Adapted and directed by Donald Brenner

Audition/Callback Location:
The Temple Building Theater, 50 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY

Audition Dates:
Saturday, January 18, 2:00-5:00pm
Sunday, January 19, 2:00-5:00pm (callbacks)

To Audition In-Person: Please email info@thecompanytheatreroc.org for an audition slot. Please bring a headshot/resume. At the initial audition, you will be asked to read a scene from the play with a reader and sing 16 acapella bars of an up-tempo folk song or Christmas carol. All roles require both Standard British and Cockney/Working Class Dialects. There will be a very brief movement audition at the Callback.

If you can not make auditions or callbacks, we will be accepting online submissions through Saturday, January 18 at 12pm.
To Submit Online: Please prepare any 1-2 minute monologue. Film in landscape, chest up, and slate with your name, what piece you’re reading, and the role/roles you’re interested in. Send video along with headshot/resume to info@thecompanytheatreroc.org 

Production Dates:
Rehearsals will begin no later than February 24, 2025
Tech Week will begin March 24, 2025
Performing March 28 – April 6, 2025 at the Temple Building Theater, 50 Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY
***NO CONFLICTS DURING TECH WEEK OR PERFORMANCES, NO EXCEPTIONS***

Synopsis:  This world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most popular novel, “Great Expectation” is a dynamic new play, told in a daring theatrical style!  “Great Expectations” is performed by an ensemble of eight actors, who echo Dickens’ haunting narrative and guide us through this classic tale of Pip’s extraordinary search for self.  With a brisk running time of 85 minutes, this adaptation maintains the heart of Dickens’ epic masterpiece while boldly cutting to its essence in a manner that is vivid, compelling, and entertaining.

Adapted and directed by Donald Brenner, GREAT EXPECTATIONS tells the tale of Pip, who learns the consequences of ambition, the complexities of identity, and the importance of personal integrity. It also introduces us to one of the most colorful literary characters, Miss Havisham.

Character Breakdown: 
In our continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, The Company Theatre encourages actors of any age, race, gender identity/expression, and ability to audition!

We are seeking a dynamic ensemble of eight versatile actors who will portray over 35 characters. Each actor will play a principal role, appear in several secondary roles and narrate the story. All set changes will be performed by the entire cast in full view of the audience utilizing a table, and several chairs to create the 14 separate locations. As the actors rarely leave the stage, accommodating extensive rehearsal conflicts will be difficult.

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PIP (Male – 20s+)
The protagonist and narrator of Great Expectations, Pip begins the story as a young orphan boy in the marsh country of Kent. Pip is passionate, romantic, and somewhat unrealistic at heart, and he tends to expect more for himself than is reasonable. Pip also has a powerful conscience, and deeply wants to improve himself, both morally and socially.

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MAGWITCH (Male – 40s +)
A fearsome criminal, Magwitch escapes from prison at the beginning of Great Expectations and terrorizes Pip in the graveyard. Pip’s kindness, however, makes a deep impression on Magwitch and he subsequently devotes himself to making a fortune and using it to elevate Pip into a higher social class.
Also plays Wemmick (a law clerk who looks after Pip in London) and The Coachman.

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MRS. JOE (Female – 30s - 40s+)
Pip’s hot-tempered sister and Joe’s wife, Mrs. Joe is a stern and overbearing figure to both Pip and Joe. Mrs. Joe is petty and ambitious; her fondest wish is to be something more than what she is, the wife of the village blacksmith.
Also plays Biddy (a kind, intelligent and simple country girl); Startop (a joyful young man who is Pip’s friend); First Woman and First Officer.

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JOE GARGERY (Male – 30s - 40s+)
Pip’s brother-in-law and his first father figure, Joe’s quiet goodness makes him one of the few completely sympathetic characters in Great Expectations. Although he is uneducated and unrefined, he is a strong man who consistently acts for the benefit of those he loves.
Also plays Bentley Drummle (a coarse, unpleasant young man who feels justified in acting
cruelly and harshly toward everyone), First Man and Arresting Officer.

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ESTELLA (Female – 20s+)
Miss Havisham’s beautiful young ward, Estella is Pip’s unattainable dream throughout the play. He loves her passionately, but, though she sometimes seems to consider him a friend, she is usually cold, cruel, and uninterested in him. As they grow up together, she warns him that she has no heart.
Also plays Sergeant’s Man and Woman 1.

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MISS HAVISHAM (Female – 30s – 40s+)
Miss Havisham is a wealthy, eccentric woman who is manic and often seems insane, flitting around her house in a faded wedding dress, keeping a decaying wedding cake on her table, and surrounding herself with clocks stopped at twenty minutes to nine. As a young woman, Miss Havisham was jilted by her fiancé minutes before her wedding, and now has a vendetta against all men. Miss Havisham is later overcome with remorse for ruining both Estella’s and Pip’s chances for happiness
Also plays Molly (Mr. Jagger’s Housekeeper), A Landlady and Second Woman.

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JAGGERS (Male – 30s – 40s+)
The powerful, prominent lawyer hired to supervise Pip’s elevation to the upper class. As one of the most important criminal lawyers in London, Jaggers consorts with vicious criminals, and even they are terrified of him. But there is more to Jaggers than his impenetrable exterior. He often seems to care for Pip, and before the play begins he helps Miss Havisham to adopt the orphaned Estella.
Also plays Pumblechook (Pip’s pompous, officious uncle), Compeyson (a gentlemanly but
menacing professional swindler), and The Waiter.

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HERBERT (Male – 20s +)
Pip first meets Herbert Pocket in Miss Havisham’s garden, when Herbert challenges him to a fight. Years later, they meet again in London, and Herbert becomes Pip’s best friend and key companion, and sharing his rooms in his London flat.
Also plays The Stranger (an unctuous ex-convict), The Sergeant, Second Man and Man 1.

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For more information, please visit thecompanytheatreroc.org or email info@thecompanytheatreroc@gmail.com