AUDITIONS
Misery
Based on William Goldman’s 1990 film adaptation of the 1987 Stephen King novel, Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads the newly-completed manuscript of his latest book and becomes enraged to discover that the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.
CHARACTERS
Anne Wilkes (30-60): The central antagonist in Stephen King’s Misery. A former nurse with a deep, obsessive affection for her favorite author, Paul Sheldon, Anne is a complex blend of charm and menace. Her disturbing obsession with Paul drives much of the play’s suspense and terror.
Paul Sheldon (40-60): The protagonist and a successful author known for his “Misery” series. Paul is intellectually and creatively inclined but struggles with burnout. His determination to escape Anne’s captivity embodies the struggle for survival against overwhelming threats.
Sheriff Buster (40-60): The local law enforcement officer in the small Colorado town where Paul’s accident occurs. Buster is a competent and dedicated lawman, and his role underscores the play’s themes of vulnerability and the impact of Anne’s psychotic behavior.
SIDES
SIDE 1: Annie and Paul
SIDE 2: Annie
SIDE 3: Annie and Paul
SIDE 4: Annie and Paul
SIDE 5: Annie and Buster
SIDE 6: Annie and Paul
SIDE 7: Annie and Buster
SIDE 8: Annie and Paul
Please Prepare one side only.
You do not need to memorize.
Be familiar with the rest of the sides.
Auditions will take place on December 2nd from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. Appointments are required. Auditions will be in 5 minute time slots from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Callbacks will begin immediately after general auditions. Please email Matt Lamb at Secondstage@gilberttheater.com to get a time slot. Age ranges listed are NOT definitive, and the Gilbert Theater always casts with no biases based on race, gender identity or expression, disability, or sexual orientation. We encourage any and all to come out & audition regardless of experience.
The Gilbert Theater is a semi-professional, community-minded theater which offers paid positions to professional and semi-professional actors in leading or specialty roles and volunteer opportunities.
Actor Compensation
The theater is unable to compensate actors at a level which recognizes the value of their talent, training, or time in the way a fully professional company might. Compensation ranges from Guest Artist to a simple gas stipend. Housing for out of town guests is available.Contract terms are negotiated individually.
***The Gilbert Theater has a noted history of cross-gender and non-traditional casting practices. Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are strongly encouraged to audition.
If you cannot make auditions for a particular production, please feel free to contact us, or send us your resume and headshot to om@gilberttheater.com or via snail mail.
Theatre’s Statement
The Gilbert continues to actively explore ways to engage with our diverse community in regards to the representation of culture, race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and disability on and off stage. We create more opportunities for actors and other artists who have been historically underrepresented on and off the stage.