AUDITIONS
Below is all the information you need for an audition at Panola Playhouse! We are happy to welcome new and old actors and actresses to our stage!
NEXT AUDITION
A Time To Kill
WHERE
PANOLA PLAYHOUSE
212 South Main Street
Sardis, MS 38666
Building: 208
INFO
SHOW:
August 21-30, 2026
Directed by:
Buddy Hart
QUESTIONS?
Contact us with any questions by emailing us or by messaging us on Facebook (Panola Playhouse).
EMAIL:
WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE:
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
JAKE BRIGANCE
Young attorney defending Carl Lee Hailey. Intelligent, compassionate, determined, and courageous. Strong leading role requiring emotional depth and stage presence.
RUFUS BUCKLEY
The ambitious district attorney prosecuting Carl Lee. Charismatic, polished, competitive, and politically driven.
CARL LEE HAILEY
A devastated father seeking justice after the brutal assault of his daughter. Intense, emotionally powerful role.
ELLEN ROARK
Bright and passionate law student assisting Jake. Intelligent, idealistic, and fearless.
LUCIEN WILBANKS
Jake’s mentor and former law partner. Eccentric, witty, seasoned attorney with wisdom and humor.
SHERIFF OZZIE WALLS
County sheriff attempting to maintain peace amid escalating tensions. Calm, authoritative, respected.
GWEN HAILEY
Carl Lee’s wife and Tonya’s mother. Strong, emotional, resilient.
JUDGE OMAR NOOSE
Presiding judge over the trial. Commanding, stern, experienced.
BILLY RAY COBB
One of Tonya’s attackers.
PETE WILLARD
One of Tonya’s attackers.
DEPUTY LOONEY
Reliable deputy assisting Sheriff Walls.
D.R. MUSGROVE
Co-counsel to the district attorney
VERNON PATE
Court deputy
DREW TYNDALE
A public defender
NORMA GALLO
Court reporter
DR. WILBERT RODEHEAVER
Head of staff at Whitfield Mental Hospital
DR. W.T. BASS
TERRELL GRIST
ENSEMBLE ROLES: GUARDS, CLERKS, DEPUTIES
Ensemble actors may portray multiple roles throughout the production
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:
When you arrive please sign in and receive your number. After turning in materials you will be asked to wait in your car OR our building next to the theatre. We will call each person when you are to enter the building for the audition.
*Audition forms will need to be filled out in advance by downloading and printing the online file.
If you are unable to print and fill in your paperwork ahead of time, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your audition to fill out all paperwork.
Thank you.
SYNOPSIS:
A Time to Kill is a gripping courtroom drama based on the novel by John Grisham. Set in a small town in Mississippi during the 1980s, the story centers on Carl Lee Hailey, a Black father who takes justice into his own hands after his young daughter is brutally assaulted by two white men.
When Carl Lee kills the attackers in the courthouse, he is arrested and charged with murder. Young attorney Jake Brigance agrees to defend him, knowing the case will divide the community and put his own family at risk. As racial tensions escalate and threats from white supremacists grow, Jake must convince an all-white jury to look beyond prejudice and consider what they would have done in Carl Lee's position.
The play explores themes of justice, race, morality, family, and the challenges of the legal system. Through powerful testimony and emotional courtroom confrontations, the story asks audiences to examine their own beliefs about right and wrong.
The stage adaptation delivers intense drama, memorable characters, and a thought-provoking look at prejudice and compassion, making it one of the most compelling courtroom plays in theatre.
CREW VOLUNTEER FORM
Are you interested in crew for this show? Please fill out an application below and send it to our email following the directions on the form.
*TO BE APPART OF CREW - YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND AUDITIONS. PLEASE SEND CREW FORM TO:
