“WAIT UNTIL DARK”
A suspenseful thriller by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
On Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10, 2016
At the Westchester Playhouse
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for “Wait Until Dark” by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, on Saturday July 9, 2016 from 1:00-4:00pm and on Sunday, July 10, 2016 from 6:00-9:00pm. Callbacks, if needed, will be Monday, July 11, 2016 at 7:00pm by invitation only. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by Kathy Dershimer and produced by Jenny Boone by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Performance dates are September 9 – October 15 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.
“Wait Until Dark” is a suspenseful thriller set in 1944 Greenwich Village. Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. Aided by her difficult, slightly unreliable young neighbor Gloria, she must fight for her life against a gang of ruthless criminals, led by the violent, psychotic Roat who believes she has hidden a baby doll somewhere in her apartment that was used to smuggle heroin into the country. As the tension builds, Susan discovers her blindness might be the key to her escape, but all must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller’s chilling conclusion. This adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher of Frederick Knott’s 1966 Broadway original premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in 2013.
Those auditioning should allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork. Please be familiar with the script as auditions will consist of cold readings. Please bring a current headshot and resume with you as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted at auditions and you will be asked to note any conflicts.Typically, rehearsals will be held Monday through Thursday evenings with some additional rehearsals on weekends when closer to opening. If you have any questions, please email
waituntildark@kentwoodplayers.org.
Character Breakdown
Susan Hendrix: lost her sight in an automobile accident and has had to adjust to life as a blind woman. She is working to gain her independence back. She has a strong inner strength, but still struggles with feelings of vulnerability and fear. Her perfectionist nature causes her to keep an orderly home. Having everything in its place has become a necessity since losing her vision. Great resourcefulness does allow her some autonomy. She is warm-hearted and trusting but can have a biting edge to her personality when she feels provoked. Susy’s cleverness and quick thinking allow her to observe more than most people can with just their eyes. (25-35)
Harry Roat, Jr: a cruel and sinister individual. He uses his extreme cunning to get the upper hand and achieve whatever outcome he desires. He is cold, calculating, callous and violent. He selfishly pursues his own interests and demands others to become complicit with his schemes. Roat has no interest in humor and does not suffer fools for long. He takes great pleasure in watching his prey suffer and has no remorse when torturing them. Roat’s enemies end up dead. He is a great game player and a master of disguise. (30-50)
Mike Talman: an ex-convict that easily gains people’s trust. Mike’s life has forced him into a life of crime and it is a cycle he cannot escape. Working as a con man comes naturally to him and he is very good at his chosen profession. He is suave, smart, and seductive. His charisma and keen intelligence allow him to spin fantastic yet fully believable lies. He can effortlessly take on other personas and is incredibly detailed in the characters he creates. He does have some empathy for others but it is not strong enough to stop his greed. (30-40)
Sgt. Carlino: a corrupt ex-cop and a con man who has had many prior convictions. Money and greed drive all that he does. An experienced criminal, intelligence is not his strong suit. He can prove to be a liability when his clumsiness creates trouble for himself and those around him. He can be impulsive, sloppy, and a bit of a brute. He has a difficult time keeping his cool in situations that demand immense attention to detail. Carlino is someone you want to have to handle the dirty work. (40-55)
Sam Hendrix: a photographer who works diligently in his studio office and often brings work home. He is committed to his to work and seeks perfection in the images he creates. His perfectionist nature defines every task he takes on as he completes it to the utmost quality. As a veteran, he has a strong sense of self-discipline that defines his personality. Sam has struggled to give his wife a sense of independence since her accident and is persistent in demanding she learn to do things on her own. He loves Susy very much, but wants her to challenge herself to be independent and self-sufficient. (30-40)
Gloria: a bright child with a challenging home life. She is torn between her love of Susan, especially as a surrogate mother, and her envy of Susan, because of her adolescent crush on Sam. While still in the end of her childhood, she wants to be seen as a strong, young woman. (12-15)
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 and Twitter.
To meet the “Wait Until Dark” production team and learn more about Kentwood Players and what goes on at the Westchester Playhouse, the public is invited to attend our membership meetings, which are free and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located two blocks west of the San Diego Freeway and two blocks north of Manchester at 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester, CA 90045.
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