Manhattan Theatre Club | New York, NY
REVISED
Updated Preparation.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
LORT Non-Rep
$2020 weekly minimum (LORT A+)
Equity actors for roles in PUNCH (See breakdown).
Please prepare EITHER a two-minute contemporary monologue, OR one of the provided Sides. Please prepare a British accent for all material. The Sides may be found
here. Also, please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036
Playwright: James Graham
Director: Adam Penford
Casting Directors: David Caparelliotis & Kelly Gillespie
Expected to attend:
Casting Directors: David Caparelliotis, Kelly Gillespie, Joe Gery
Casting Assistant: Malaika Fernandes
1st Rehearsal: 8/5/25
1st Preview: 9/9/25
Opening: on or about 10/1/25
Clear through: mid-December 2025
www.manhattantheatreclub.com
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
SYNOPSIS: As Jacob tears through Nottingham in a whirlwind of drugs, girls, and bar fights, he makes a fatal mistake that lands him in prison. But as he struggles to accept the consequences of his actions and build a new life, he finds an unusual source of salvation: the parents of the boy he killed. Based on a remarkable true story, PUNCH is two-time Olivier winner James Graham’s “most moving work yet.” (The Times of London).
JACOB - 19-29, white male from Nottingham. Working class, high octane, fluid talker. Small-time drug dealer living in a public housing development, the Meadows. One punch he throws in a street fight changes the trajectory of his life. We see him at 19, partying and brawling, and also at 29, sober and reflective. Jacob’s depth of feeling is a constant throughout the play and at all ages, though manifests itself differently over time. Switches quickly and deftly between narration and being present in the scenes.
JOAN - 50s, mother of James, the victim of Jacob’s one punch. Squarely middle-class. Grounded. Doesn’t lead with emotion but is not cold. A woman with a vibrant social life and a strong marriage; the sudden and devastating death of her son unmoors her, she cannot make sense of it. Decides to pursue Restorative Justice when she can’t figure out how else to go on. Over the years she and her husband struggle to find within themselves the strength and courage and generosity of spirit to offer JACOB what they can as he seeks to reconcile himself with the repercussions of his action. Doubles as others, including NAN, Jacob’s grandmother - stolid, opinionated, Victorian values, believes in community.
DAVID - 50s, father of James. Squarely middle-class. Decent, straightforward man. Warm and conventional. Wears his heart on his sleeve more than his wife does. Really struggles with aspects of the Restorative Justice program but pushes through for his wife and son. Doubles as others, including DEREK - a verbose and opinionated college professor, as well as TONY and RAF’S DAD - both working class guys from the housing development.
MUM - 40s/50s, Jacob’s mother. A working-class single mom who tried very hard to provide middle class opportunities for her children before the grind of it all and her slide into alcoholism made her all but give up. Religious, compassionate, overwhelmed. Doubles as others, including WENDY - a probation officer, a bit hard-boiled, but not cynical.
RAF - 20s, Jacob’s mate from the Meadows. Working class, rough & tumble, rowdy kid. Just as lost and adversely affected by the system as JACOB and their mates. Hides his fear behind bravado. Doubles as other roles including SAM - Jacob’s younger brother, who stoically bears the weight of his mother’s care, and his brother’s incarceration and absence.
CLAIRE - 20s/30s, any ethnicity. A local girl. Clear-eyed, sly sense of humor, stable. Even out at a club with her girlfriends, you can tell she has her feet on the ground. Drawn to Jacob, and sees him clearly from the start. Doubles as others, including NICOLA - the charity worker who brokers the Restorative Justice meetings; believes strongly in her work, but without a hint of zealotry; calm, careful with her words; sympathetic, and even-handed.
Videos
