*Audition slots are now fully booked. Join our waitlist and we will contact you if a slot opens up.*THE SEAGULL
Written by Anton Chekhov
Directed by Josh Hopton-Stewart
KEY DATES:
Auditions: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 June, 2024
Callbacks: Monday 1 July, 2024
Readthrough: Sunday 7 July, 2024
Rehearsals: Tuesday 9 July - Tuesday 3 September, 2024
Performance Dates: Wednesday 4 - Saturday 14 September, 2024
Packout: Sunday 15 September, 2024
ABOUT THE PLAY:
In this modern adaption of Anton Chekhov's classic play, a group of high-society artists spend their summer stranded on a remote, lake-side estate where love, intrigue and creative ego runs amok. Away from the hubbub of their big city lives, the isolation and boredom of their rural getaway quickly becomes claustrophobic, and unspoken romantic and creative tensions begin bubbling to the surface. With nowhere else to turn, they turn on each other (and the poor staff who are definitely not paid enough to deal with their shit).
ROLES:
Irina Arkadina, female, 40s-50s
An actress whose beauty and fame has passed its prime. Vain, selfish, hypocritical. Mother of Konstantin whose creative projects she is constantly shooting down.
Konstantin Treplev, male, 20s
Irina’s son, an aspiring playwright trying to step out from under the shadow of his mother’s success. Exploring new theatrical forms which his mother despises. In love with Nina.
Peter / Petra Sorin, any gender, 50s-60s
Irina’s sibling, a retired government worker and owner of the estate. Traditionally played as a male but keen to explore as a female too. Kind and funny despite their declining health.
Nina Zarietchnaya, female, 20s
The daughter of a neighbouring landowner. Bored of her life in the country, longs to move to the city to become an actress. Idealistic, hungry for fame and anyone that can give it to her.
Elijah Shamraeff, male, 40s+
The manager of Sorin’s estate. Infatuated with the rich and famous, and hangs around Arkadina like a bad smell. Gets his own back by being controlling over the horses and farm.
Polina Shamraeff, female, 40s+
Shamraeff’s wife and mother to Masha. She’s unhappy in her loveless marriage, infatuated instead with the handsome doctor, Dorn. Sees her own misery mirrored in her daughter.
Masha Shamraeff, female, 20s-30s
Polina’s daughter. An emo, wears all black, drinks and smokes heavily. Loves Konstantin despite being courted by Medviedenko who she openly loathes.
Boris Trigorin, male, 30s-early 40s
A handsome and successful writer. Begins as a dutiful lover to Arkadina but becomes tempted by the youthful beauty, optimism, and flattery of Nina.
Eugene Dorn, male, 50s
The local doctor, once a popular and handsome ladies’ man. He has affections for Polina but doesn’t love her. Functions as an observer and commentator of the events of the play.
Simon Medviedenko, male, 30s
A local school teacher, a boring conversationalist who’s constantly complaining about how poor he is. Pursues the melancholic Masha and eventually convinces her to marry him.
Jacob, any gender, any age
The hired help, a combination of smaller roles rolled into one character. Assists Shamraeff in the day-to-day running of the estate and dotes on the guests.
ACCENTS:
We’re aiming for standard RP British accents across all roles. We encourage you to give the accent your best shot at the audition, but will be secondary to characterisation in casting decisions.
CONTENT WARNING:
This play depicts themes of alcoholism, depression and suicide.
SCRIPT VERSION:
There are many versions of The Seagull flying around the internet which we encourage you to read to get a better idea of the show. However, please note the version we're using for this production has been reworked by the director to be both shorter in length and use more modernised language and references.
BOOK AN AUDITION:
Audition slots are now fully booked. You can join our waitlist and we will contact you if a slot opens up. To join the waitlist, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/8pFGeuZCPmV3BzuCA
Auditions will take place at Toi Poneke, 61/69 Abel Smith Street. They will be in 45-minute slots and in groups of about 6 people.
Please let us know if you need any assistance or accessibility accommodations. If you have any further questions about the auditions, please email Shannon at [email protected].
Event Venue
Toi Poneke Arts Centre, Wellington, New Zealand
