Audition Information for Fall Semester 2025-2026 Season

ISU Theatre and Dance 2025-2026 Season Auditions

Initial Auditions: August 27th 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Bistline Theatre, consisting of:

Total package not to exceed 4 minutes:

• 1 Contemporary comedic monologue
• 1 Classical comedic monologue
• 1 Minute a cappella song of your choosing.

Please download and fill out this Audition Form and upload it along with your headshot and resume on this Google Form. Name your files "Firstname Lastname - Item" (Example: John Smith - Audition Form)

Callbacks will be in person on August 28th from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

If you are invited for a Callback you will be notified after your initial audition.

• Thursday 28, 2025 6-9PM - Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Callbacks
• Black Box Theatre
• Thursday August 28, 2025 6-9PM. - Christmas Carol Callbacks with Jef Petersen
• Bistline Theatre

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang - Summary & Character Breakdown
Set in the present day in a Pennsylvania farm house where Vanya and his step-sister Sonia have lived all their lives, jointly caring for their ailing, doddering parents for many years while their movie star sister, Masha, was gallivanting around the world. The play takes place on a weekend when Masha shows up with a new young boyfriend, Spike. Vanya, Masha and Sonia were named after Chekhov characters by their college professor parents. The play is a mix of comedy and drama with elements derived from works of Anton Chekhov such as a vestigial cherry orchard, the performance of an "avant-garde" play by one of the main characters, and themes of old vs. new generations, real vs. assumed identities, the challenges of a woman growing older after successes in a career that seems to be ending, the hope and carelessness of youth, intrafamilial rivalries, and the possible loss of an ancestral home.

CHARACTER:

VANYA – Late 40’s to mid 50’s. A gay man who lives with his step-sister Sonia. He took care of their aging parents over a long time and didn’t do much of what he’d like to have done with his life, but is resigned, more or less. He acts as the peacemaker between his two sisters. Seeking a very strong actor, great with language and timing, excellent comedic skills.

 

SONIA – Late 40’s to mid-50s. Vanya’s step-sister living with him. Discontent, upset, regretful. Never had a romantic life. Volatile, and angry that her “pretty” sister, Masha, has had a life. Must be a very strong comedic actress with great language skills and wide emotional range. Ability to impersonate Maggie Smith is a huge plus.

 

MASHA – Late 40’s to late 50’s. Vanya’s other sister. A glamorous and successful actress who goes gallivanting around the world. A bit grandiose, but also charming. Has had five failed marriages and has recently taken up a romantic relationship with a young actor, Spike. Has been paying everybody’s bills.

 

SPIKE – Mid-late 20s. An aspiring actor and Masha’s new companion. Very conventionally attractive, friendly, and confident, but self-absorbed. Seeking a strong comedic actor also good at physical comedy. Actor must be comfortable being dressed in bikini-style underwear on stage.

 

NINA – Early to late 20s. Lovely, sincere, would-be actor, visiting her aunt and uncle next door to Vanya and Sonia. Star-struck by Masha and energetic in her enthusiasm. Responds to Vanya and is kind to him.

 

CASSANDRA – 20-55. Cleaning lady and soothsayer, she often bursts into prophecy, her diction sounding like Greek tragedy mixed with contemporary thoughts and references. Her seeing the future is somewhat truthful, though not always 100% accurate. She often criticizes her employers Vanya and Sonia, but at the core wants to help them. Requires an actor with strong verbal dexterity with great comedic skills. 

 

Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adaptation by Ann Hoste

An adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved tale, Christmas Carol. Set in 1840’s England the story follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is spirited away by three ghosts who force him to confront his past, present and future, and learn the true spirit of the Christmas season.

CHARACTERS:

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

SCROOGE

POOR BOY

FRED

BOB CRATCHIT

GENTLEMAN

LADY

MARLEY

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

LITTLE FAN

LITTLE EBENEZER

YOUNG EBENEZER

FEZZIWIG

MRS. FEZZIWIG

FEZZIWIG GUESTS

BELLE

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

MRS. CRAGGS

MRS. PEERYBINGLE

POOR GIRL

GIRL

WOMAN

MRS. CRATCHIT

BELINDA

MARTHA

PETER

TINY TIM

SISTER

TOPPER

FRED’S WIFE

BELLE’S HUSBAND

MERCHANT 1

MERCHANT 2

MERCHANT 3

CHARWOMAN

OLD JOE

UNDERTAKER’S MAN

LAUNDRESS

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE

BOY