THEATREOFDARE

Adapted from the Vincent Price classic, The House on Haunted Hill tells the twisted tale of millionaire Frederick Lauren, his fourth wife Annabelle, and five, money-hungry guests who will each received fifty thousand dollars if they stay in a supposedly haunted house until sunrise.

 

Filled with double crosses, jilted lovers, a wicked sense of humor, and a restless spirit or two, Haunted Hill proves to be a night you’ll never forget.

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AUDITION INFORMATION:

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for The House on Haunted Hill. If you are not familiar with the original movie made back in 1959 with Vincent Price, I suggest you do yourself a favor and watch it. I would also like to suggest you watch the 1999 version of the same name. While both movies are wildly different, the story is relatively the same. Both have elements of dark comedy and campiness while at the same time being very creepy, moody, and suspenseful. All of which will be happening in the production we will create for ToD.

 

The script we will be using is an adaptation of the 1959 movie with Vincent Price. It is written by Tommy Jamerson and can be read here.
 

Now, to those of you who are interested in auditioning for a role in this production, there are a few items that need to be understood before you sign-up or come in:
 

1. This production will be set in the late 1940’s so style is going to be of the utmost importance. If you have a costume, hair do, or make-up that would make you feel more in character to audition, I encourage you to dress up and play the part with us for a few hours.

2. This show will have many loud sounds & flashing lights such as gunfire, screams, and lightning and thunder throughout its entirety. Be aware that if you find yourself emotionally susceptible to these items, you may want to reconsider the audition.

3. In addition to the above mentioned effects, there will also be a significant amount of stage blood, simulations of suicide, stunts, and stage combat. All of which can be very triggering. The last thing we want to do is cause any distress so being aware of what you may be getting yourself into is incredibly important.

Auditions will take place at our theater in Kitty Hawk on Friday, September 11th & Saturday, September 12th at 6:30pm both evenings. If you are interested in auditioning, please fill out this form. If you are unable to attend the audition in person, please, still fill out the form and then submit a self taped audition to the director, Kelsey Thompson, at the following email address: kelseyelizabeth131@gmail.com. Submissions will be accepted up until 8pm on Saturday, 9/12.

The rehearsal schedule will be finalized once the show has been cast, but rehearsals will typically take place on weekdays from Monday thru Thursday in the evenings at either Theatre of Dare in Kitty Hawk or at the Theatre of Dare Playhouse in Point Harbor. Once we get closer to the show, if there are scenes that need more rehearsal time, we will look at weekends but anticipate sticking with our Mon-Thurs schedule.

Not every cast member will be called to rehearsal every night. We intend on making the most of everyone's time so that scenes can be learned and safely executed before moving on to the next. It will be incredibly important for you to fill out the form with any conflicts that you may have so that a proper schedule can be made. While we will do our best to work around an actor's schedule, priority will be given to those with the least amount of conflicts so please, be thorough.

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CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

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Frederick Lauren (male 45 - 65): An eccentric millionaire who is debonair, wealthy, and devilishly charming, with a sharp wit and a dry, gallows humor that masks deeper emotions. He projects confidence and control while hiding jealousy, mistrust, and a simmering temper beneath a veneer of showmanship. Frederick’s character blends aristocratic charm with menace. He is a man of means, mystery, and moral ambiguity, whose party becomes a deadly game of survival, deception, & supernatural terror. (this character is a smoker & will have stage combat).

Annabelle Lauren (female 30 - 45): She is Frederick Lauren’s beautiful fourth wife, a woman who is both deceitful and lustful. She is sleek, opinionated, and a il-tempered femme fatale, embodying a dangerous mix of charm and manipulation. Annabelle is tired of her husband’s jealousy and mistrust, and she sees the haunted house party as an opportunity to play a high-stakes game. Annabelle is a complex antagonist — glamorous on the surface but driven by a mix of personal resentment, greed, and a desire for control, making her one of the most memorable and dangerous characters in the story. (this character must be comfortable with heights, stunt work, & stage combat).

Nina Meers (female 25 - 40): Is mousy and timid on the surface, with a shy and sensitive expression, but beneath that shyness lies an outgoing personality and a cleverness she may not fully realize. Her stage age and demeanor suggest she is young, pretty, and initially appearing unassuming with a nervous sense about her. Wide-eyed & skeptical. (must be able to scream & will have stage combat).

Lance Schroeder (male 25 - 45): He is a handsome, self-made hero and a confident daredevil — a test pilot who relies more on his looks than his intelligence. He is a bit of a womanizer and very sure of himself, embodying the “all-American” archetype. Confident and charismatic: Lance projects self-assurance and charm, fitting the 1950s “hero” mold. He serves as both a sympathetic guest and a key figure in uncovering the truth behind the house’s horrors, making him a pivotal character in the play’s suspense and mystery.

Ruth Bridges (female presenting 30 - 60): Ruth is a journalist with her own newspaper column. She is financially desperate, having lost significant money through gambling. Her journalistic background gives her a sharp, observant nature, and she is quick to notice details. She's pragmatic yet vulnerable, balancing her journalistic skepticism with a growing sense of fear. She is neither the most overtly brave nor the most overtly fearful, but her reactions and observations help the audience piece together the truth.

Dr. David Trent (male 35 – 60): Trent is a pop-psychiatrist to the stars, claiming to be among the most respected professionals in his field. His medical expertise and calm demeanor make him a seemingly rational presence among the other guests, but his personal motives drive him toward darker actions. Those actions are driven by love and desire for control, and ultimately lead to his demise.
 

Watson Pritchard (male 45 - 65): is a deeply superstitious - drunk and the owner of The House on Haunted Hill. A bit of a slob, Pritchard is paranoid, talkative, and morbidly curious. He is convinced the ghosts are restless and hungry, and he tries to prepare the guests for the horrors ahead. His character’s role is to ground the audience in the house’s supernatural menace and to heighten the tension through his personal history and unwavering belief in the ghosts.
 

Cassidy Bowman (female 25 - 40): Is graced with a warm disposition and kind eyes. Cassidy can provide a bright, bubbly contrast to the darker, more cynical characters. She is the assistant to Frederick who has helped put the entire evening together. However, just like every other character, there is much more to her story. There are many secrets. Secrets that will shock even the most observant. (must be comfortable with stunt work & stage combat).

Rebecca Valifax/ The Bride (female presenting 18 - 30): Non-speaking role - She is the ghostly presence that is tied to the secrets and mysteries of the house. Her role functions to deepen the atmosphere of the play, contributing to the “restless spirit or two or three” that permeates the mansion and adds to the suspense and intrigue of the story. Rebecca is integral to making the creepy factor of the show intense and ongoing. (must be able to scream).

Louis Slides/ Baron Valifax (male 45 - 70): The caretaker of the House. He is large and menacing and walks with a limp. Part of the house’s mysterious unsettling staff. He is one of the characters whose survival (or death) will be revealed as the night unfolds, contributing to the play’s twists and turns.

Eleanor Slides (female 45 - 70): The caretaker’s wife. Old and haggard and also walks with a limp. She and her husband say little, but their presence is heavy and unsettling, contributing to the eerie, gothic tone of the setting. Their minimal dialogue and emeanor make them stand out as figures of mystery and other worldly aura.

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The audition scenes will be provided, but auditionees may be asked to do cold reads from the script that are not listed. Sides do not need to be memorized, but please do bring your own interpretation of the character!

 

None of the descriptions are set in stone and we’d love to se what you bring to the table.
 

A final note; The House on Haunted Hill will be preformed on November 6 - 8 & 12 - 15 for a total of eight perfromances. If you are unable to attend any of tech week, or any of the performances, please consider auditioning for another show on down the line. With the special elements that will be involved in this production, we will need everyone to be there every night so that safety and precautions can be our number one priority for a successful run.

 

If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to email Kelsey at kelseyelizabeth131@gmail.com.