
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
The Play That Goes Wrong
WHERE
PANOLA PLAYHOUSE
212 South Main Street
Sardis, MS 38666
Building: 208
INFO
SHOW:
August 22-31, 2025
Directed by:
David Gross
QUESTIONS?
Contact us with any questions by emailing us or by messaging us on Facebook (Panola Playhouse).
EMAIL:
WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE:

CHARACTER SYNOPSIS:
Chris Bean/Inspector Carter: (Male Presenting) The head of the theater company. Director of the play-within a-play Murder at Haversham Manor and plays the esteemed Inspector Carter. Rigid, uptight, everything really matters. His pain is evident and every time someone laughs the pain deepens. He has equal amounts of contempt for his fellow actors and the audience watching the play. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Jonathan Harris/Charles Haversham: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company. He plays Charles Haversham, the deceased. A bit bland, but sees himself as a James Bond type. Excited and having fun, but not naïve. He technically has to drive the show. He cares about the play, but not to the same extent as the others. Very physical role. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Robert Grove/Thomas Colleymoore: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Thomas Colleymoore, Charles’ old school friend. Wants to be Richard Burton, as evidenced by his declamatory style. He is, however, not a parody of a bad actor. He is unaware of others around him. He does not feel badly when things go wrong and never learns from his mistakes. There is a power struggle between Robert and Chris to be president of the Cornley Poly Drama Society (a position that matters a great deal to Robert). Has real vocal power. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Max Bennett/Cecil Haversham/Arthur the Gardener: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A brand new member of the company and has never been on stage before. He learned his lines and does exactly what he’s told to do. He has zero connection with any of the other actors, but when he gets a laugh he breaks the 4th wall to engage with the audience. Childlike and naïve. His mistakes are fundamental. He doesn’t think anything through, just looks for approval. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Sandra Wilkinson/Florence Colleymoore: (Female Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Florence Colleymoore, Charles’ fiancée and Thomas’ sister. She is vain and possesses a huge ego. Wants to be loved. Has ambitions to go to Hollywood and will hurt anyone standing in the way of what she wants but is smart enough to stay on the good side of someone who can help her (like the director). You know the type. The stakes are high for her. Very physical role. Please Note: This role will appear in less than full costume with some sort of underwear revealed. Also, actor needs to be comfortable being in an enclosed box for up to 5 minutes. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Dennis Tyde/Perkins: (Male Presenting) ⎼ A member of the company, plays Perkins, Charles’ butler. He has no real desire to be involved in the theatre, he just wants to make friends (of which he has none). He believes if he does well in the show, he will be more successful socially. Laughter from the audience is agony for him. He may be slightly oblivious but understands when he gets things wrong. The laughter is a personal tragedy/failure. (Received Pronunciation Accent - think Sir Ben Kingsley, Dame Judi Dench, or Colin Firth)
Annie Twilloil/Stage Manager: (Female Presenting) ⎼ She is the company’s stage manager. She has the biggest journey of any character. She is secretly the best actor in the entire company. She’s initially annoyed but fully onboard to save her show when the lead is indisposed. As she is onstage, her amazing talent begins to be showcased, where she is willing to fight for her chance, finally by the end of the play. (Natural Speaking Voice)
Trevor Watson/Lighting & Sound Operator: (Male or Female Presenting) ⎼The company lighting and sound operator. They simply want to get on with the show. Curmudgeonly and doesn’t care for actors. They are easily distracted and do many things they shouldn’t, including engaging with the audience. When things go really sideways, they also are forced to act in the play. They hate acting. (Natural Speaking Voice)
Stage Crew/Swing [Up to 4 Roles]: (Anyone) ⎼ They are the backbone of this very important show to Christopher Bean, the director, as well as to the whole production team. They believe in Annie, their Stage Manager, and will do anything for her. They will jump in should Trevor/T demand action, but would rather listen to Annie’s directives. They will be part of the pre-show, intermission and throughout the acts coming to fix problems, recover items, save face, and hopefully save the show. They will have improv opportunities on and off stage, as well as interactions with the audience. They will also act as Swings should any actor be unable to perform and go on with a script in hand. (If you are only auditioning for Stage Crew, please read from Trevor or Annie sides)

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:
THE STORY: From Mischief, Broadway masters of comedy, comes the smash hit farce. Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Nevertheless, the accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is a global phenomenon that’s guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter!

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:
