Announcing auditions for the September 2026 production of...
MACHINAL
Written by Sophie Treadwell
Directed by Ron Warren
Saturday 7/18, 11 AM to 2 PM
Sunday 7/19, 11 AM to 2 PM
ABOUT THE PLAY
Inspired by the real-life trial and execution of Ruth Snyder, Machinal tells the story of Helen Jones, an everywoman who attempts to escape her monotonous urban life through a loveless marriage to her boss, George H. Jones. Desperate for freedom, Helen has a romantic affair, which culminates in her murdering George H. Jones and being sentenced to death by the electric chair. Machinal is widely regarded as one of the great expressionist plays of the 20th century, and explores themes of gender, individuality, capitalism, and alienation.
AUDITION DATES
Auditions will be held in 1-hour time blocks on Saturday and Sunday 7/18 & 7/19 from 11 AM to 2 PM. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment click the link below.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Please arrive hydrated and well rested. Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. Auditioners will have the opportunity to look over the lines before reading in front of directors.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15332038&appointmentType=95417120
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will take place Monday through Thursday from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM starting Aug 17, 2026 through Sep 10, 2026, with extended hours for tech week Sep 14 through 17.
PERFORMANCES
Performances for this production will be two weekends on the dates of 9/18, 9/19, 9/24, 9/25, 9/26 at 7:30 PM and a Sunday matinee, 9/20, at 2 PM.
ROLES TO BE CAST
Please refer to the breakdown below. Unless race/ethnicity is specific to the character and listed below, we are actively seeking ALL races and ethnicities for ALL roles. In addition, we strongly encourage gender non-conforming, gender fluid, transgender and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.
Young Woman (Helen) - The protagonist, a young woman who feels trapped and is struggling against societal expectations and personal desires.
Husband (George) - A successful businessman who is emotionally simplistic and treats Helen as a possession. He represents the suffocating conformity of marriage and society. Mechanical, emotionally distant, and demanding.
Mother - Represents the societal pressures placed on women. Resigned to her fate and the expectations of her gender, she emphasizes financial security over emotional fulfillment and pressures Helen to marry George.
Lover - A charismatic and adventurous man who offers Helen a temporary escape from her mundane life. To Helen, he represents passion and aping Helen’s fate. The prosecutor is especially aggressive in dismantling her defense during the trial.
Telephone Girl - Helen’s coworker, who introduces her to the speakeasy and Mr. Roe. She’s lively and represents a more carefree approach to life.
Adding Clerk - A dull, mechanical office worker who speaks in numbers and echoes others - symbolizing society’s conformity.
Filing Clerk - A young, curious office worker who occasionally shows enthusiasm, contrasting with the monotony around him.
Stenographer - Judgmental and proper, she looks down on Helen for not fitting into the expected mold.
Doctor - The doctor is domineering and dismissive of Helen’s emotional distress.
Nurse - The nurse is more empathetic but fails to grasp the depth of Helen’s suffering.
Defense Lawyer and Prosecutor - The attorneys represent the legal system’s role in shaping Helen’s fate. The prosecutor is especially aggressive in dismantling her defense during the trial.
Barbers & Bailiff - These characters underscore Helen’s loss of agency, especially in the final scenes where she is physically prepared for execution.