Kentwood Players announces open auditions for
NIGHT WATCH
A Noir Thriller by Lucille Fletcher
Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1, 2022
At the Westchester Playhouse
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for NIGHT WATCH, a noir thriller by Lucille Fletcher, on Sunday, July 31 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Monday, August 1, 2022 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. If needed, callbacks will be held by appointment only on Tuesday, August 2. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Brandon Ferruccio, and co-produced for Kentwood Players by Kim Peterson and Catherine Rahm with rights secured from Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Performance dates are Friday, September 23 through Saturday, October 8, 2022 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.Rehearsals will be scheduled 3-4 days a week, Monday – Thursday nights after 7:00 PM, with possible Saturday mornings as needed.
NIGHT WATCH, perhaps best known as the 1973 feature film starring Elizabeth Taylor, is an ingeniously devised thriller which builds steadily in menace and suspense until the final, breath-stopping moment. Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. The mystery begins when Elaine observes one corpse, and then another in the abandoned building opposite her home. Although her friends, family and authorities may not believe her, Elaine insists that she saw what she saw, and continuous suspicions arise as she begins to drive herself and everyone around her to their emotional limits. With limited evidence on hand, will plans be made for Elaine to be sent to a sanitarium or will a supposed killer make themselves known?
Please note this is not a murder mystery. It is much more of a “Hitchcock style” noir thriller.
Those auditioning must be fully vaccinated, with mask wearing optional. Please read the play before auditioning to become familiar with the characters. No appointments are necessary to audition; just arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts. Free street parking is available on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood, but not on Hindry Avenue, with left turns restricted on the corner of Hindry and Florence. So please read all traffic and parking signs carefully when you arrive to audition. Sides are available upon request to
NightWatch@kentwoodplayers.org. Please be prepared to cold-read from the script at auditions.
Character Breakdown:
Auditions for all characters are open to all ages, genders, ethnicities and physical abilities. Please see playable ranges below.
Elaine Wheeler (F 20s-40s): Wife, emotionally fragile and feels betrayed. Suspicious and haunted by a tragic past; Elaine looks for validation; when it is not forthcoming, she questions her sanity. Slowly builds up confidence as the play progresses. (Lead)
John Wheeler (M 20s-40s): Elaine's husband. Stockbroker, businessman. Very practical and in charge of his home. Deals with all problems quickly and logically; dismissive of his wife's story, he is exasperated by her erratic behavior. (Lead)
Blanche Cooke (F 20s-40s): Best friend of Elaines. Nurse, efficient, tailored, and fashionable. Currently a houseguest in the Wheeler townhouse, she is concerned for Elaine’s mental health. Exposes her slyness as the play progresses. (Lead)
Helga (F 20s-60s): Wheelers’ responsible, German Maid. Suspicious. Elaine's maid for years before the Wheelers were married. (German accent required – give it a shot!) (Support)
C. Appleby: (F 40s+): Busybody, Gossipy neighbor. Writer and Amateur Sleuth. (Support)
Lieutenant Walker (Any Gender 40s+): Homicide Detective. Smart but jaded and overworked, has no time for wild goose chases. (Support)
Officer Vanelli & Sam Hoke (M Doubled Role / Any Age): Streetwise NYPD patrolman; affable, has an eye for fine art. / The Owner of a local deli shop; working-class man. (Support)
Dr. Tracey Lake (F 30s+): Well-known psychiatrist; professional demeanor; observes Elaine; tries to gain her confidence. (Featured)
COVID-19 Policy: Everyone ages 12 and over must show proof of vaccination and photo ID for admittance. Masks are recommended but optional. Please Note: This policy will be updated and changed as more information develops, with Kentwood Players monitoring all Los Angeles City and County directives.
Kentwood Players is a nonprofit theatre group dedicated to enriching, educating and entertaining our community through the transformative power of live theatre while creating an environment for inspiring human potential. As a 501C3 organization, donations to Kentwood Players are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production and upcoming auditions, please visit the Kentwood Players website at
www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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