“FLOAT”

by Patricia Kane

Auditions: August 8, 2026

10am-1pm

Production Dates: December 9-20, 2026

Auditions at Arts Center Theatre

Directed by: Amy Saad

The industrious members of the Budapest Women’s Club (pronounced Bu-DAP-est) come together for an annual tradition: the crafting of the holiday parade float. But under the surface of this pleasant gathering, the women find themselves grappling with sexuality, betrayal, and their own hard and fast notions of right and wrong. In this ode to the complicated undercurrents of Midwestern morality, you’ll meet Marty, Luce, Char, Arletta, and Doodee — five women who face the tests life presents to them with laughter, love, and a lot of fake snow.

Characters (Five Women ages 30s-60s)

Doodee 40s/50s main character- wise but struggling internally

Char 40s- almost care free and forgiving of herself

Luce 30s- small town girl with a secret

Marty 40s- newly divorced and getting a taste for life

Arletta 50s-60s- nosey old broad with a good sense of humor

 “Deathtrap”

by Ira Levin

Auditions: September 12, 2026 10:30am-1:30pm

Auditions will be held at Arts Center Theatre (in Marco Town Center next to the Brewery with the Red Door)

Show Runs: January 7-24, 2027

Deathtrap

 Directed by Paula Keenan

Deathtrap is a twisty thriller about an aging playwright Sidney Bruhl who has lost his spark, his wife Myra and a younger first time playwright Clifford who has found Sidney’s spark and what happens over the course of several weeks.

Joining the trio is Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s lawyer and Helga Ten Dorp a celebrity psychic, who may or may not be the real deal.

This is a cat and mouse game with deadly consequences.

• Sidney- 50+  aging playwright

• Myra –  50+ Sidney’s wife, sickly

• Clifford 30+ Aspiring Author 

• Helga ??+ Psychic Dutch

• Porter 50+  Sidney’s attorney

“Sandbag Stage Left (or One Dead Dolly)”

by John Anthony

Auditions: October 18, 2026

2pm to 5pm

Show Runs: March 4-21, 2027

Arts Center Theatre at Marco Town Center 

Director Marlene Strollo

The members of the Mill City Players are besides themselves over the mysterious death of their leading lady, Amelia Meddle, who during a performance, was cruelly squashed by a flying sandbag. All fingers point to her husband, undertaker Arnold Meddle, who was seen wandering around backstage just before the sailing sandbag hit pay dirt. It’s mud-slinging galore between Defense lawyer Philip Static and Prosecutor Emily Cling. Meanwhile, one by one the members of the Mill City players take the stand to implicate Arnold Meddle knowing about his jealous nature and Amelia’s flirtations with Mill City lead actor Byron Shelley. This, claims the Prosecution, provides Arnold with his motive. But Arnold contends he is innocent, but who could crush such a lovely woman under a pile of dirt and burlap? Mill City Stage Manager Gretel Van Cistern? Sexy actress Shelley Shelley? Arnold’s mousy Assistant Embalmer Edwena “Chuck”� Bury? Or Medical Examiner Salvatore Soo, whom, we discover in a startling revelation, is related to the manufacturer of the deadly sandbag? It’s the case of the century, (or at least this past week), under the steady gavel of Judge Royale Been, who presides over a jury of audience members, called for duty when the Judge dismisses the original jury for not inviting him/her to their party.

Author takes no responsibility for personal injury which may occur when audience members roll in the aisles with laughter.

Sandbag, Stage Left is a parody of serious courtroom dramas such as Witness for the Prosecution, Twelve Angry Men and Night of January 16th.

Bailiff – Goofy, clumsy, physically awkward, but very likable. Male or female, 30-80

Judge Roy L. Been – Doesn’t like the courtroom turning into a circus; loathes the unfolding events. Male preferred, 50-80

Mr. Static / Defense Attorney – Dresses poorly, not bright, with weird mannerisms. Male, 40-75

Ms. Cling / Prosecuting Attorney – Newbie lawyer trying to make a name; bad hair but sexy. Female, late 20s–60

Prison Guard – Former military, rigid, by the book. Male or female, any age.

Arnold Meddle / Mortician / The Accused – Unfazed about being on trial; an odd individual. Male, mid-30s-50

Salvatore Soo / Medical Examiner – Efficient and thorough, but does he have a motive? Male, mid-40s-65

Gretel Van Cistern / Stage Manager – Takes things literally; unfeminine. Reluctantly comes out of the closet. Female, mid-40s.

Ginger Rayle / Gold-Digger – Petite, cute, obnoxious; loves chewing gum, big hair, tight clothes, speaks with a NYC accent. Early to mid-20s.

Mrs. Byron Shelley / Socialite – Comes from money; “separate lives” with her husband; must sound like a snob. Female, mid-50s-70.

Edwena Bury / Assistant to Arnold Meddle – Sweet, in love with Meddle; provides crucial evidence. Female, mid 30’s-50.

Penelope Pacemaker / Director – Eccentric, die-hard theatre person; 50s-70

Harriet Beecher Meddle / Arnold’s Mother – Tough, street-smart, blunt, “bag lady”,  scripted to smoke prop cigarettes. Female, 65-85.

Dora Glockamorra / Aspiring Actress – Admires older middle-aged men; speaks with a southern (but not hillbilly) accent; bonus if “theatre cry” skills are strong. Female, 30-something.

Mr. Byron Shelley / Actor – Pompous blowhard; everything over-the-top. Male, mid-50s-75.

Gus Swenson / the lovable Doorman– So old that death is tired of waiting on him; good for body language and facial expressions. Male, age 75+.

“Ben Hur, A Comedy”

by Patrick Barlow

Auditions: November 7, 2026

10:30am-12:30pm

Show Runs: April 1 – April 18, 2027

Auditions: Arts Center Theatre 

Directed by: Joan Gerberding

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Ben Hur, A Comedy, written by Patrick Barlow is a hilarious, fast-paced theatrical parody of the epic historical tale Ben Hur. The play famously features just four actors taking on dozens of roles. A hilarious delight, this play uses lightning-quick costume changes, silly accents, and clever slapstick to condense the monumental story. The humor stems from the “play-within-a-play” dynamic Ben Hur.

Ambitious stage designs are reduced to comically low-budget props. The four brilliant actors frantically switch genders, accents, and costumes on a dime and they frequently break the fourth wall to complain about the director or backstage rivalries.

Characters:

Daniel Veil

Description: A strutting, highly competitive, and confident performer who runs the show. Egotistical, dramatic, and cliff-jawed leader of the troupe.

Character Trait: A scenery-chewing ham who delivers his lines with a hilarious, over-the-top heroic stare into the middle distance.

Primary Role: Judah Ben-Hur (casts himself as the heroic title lead).

Other Roles: Melchior and Nubian Dancer.

Omar Lord

Description: A suave, sometimes pouting actor who gives off a hyper-masculine vibe. A rival performer within the group.

Character Trait: Plays the macho nemesis with a pouting, daytime-television flair.

Primary Roles: Messala (the villainous Roman soldier) and Jesus Christ.

Other Roles: Caspar, Archangel Gabriel, Galley Captain, Roman Captain, Galley Slave, Nubian Dancer and Velentinyo.

Crystal Singer

Description: A dynamic, overworked actress tasked with playing almost every female character in the script. She is the troupe’s versatile and hard-working leading lady.

Character Trait: Spends the entire play sprinting offstage to instantly change costumes and wigs to play every female character.

Primary Roles: Esther (the love interest), Tirzah (Ben Hur’s sister), and The Virgin Mary.

Other Roles: Ancient Slave, Nubian Dancer, Catalinya, Naboth, Mrs. Pilate.

Edgar T. Chesterfield

Description: A classically trained, older actor who is well past his prime but demands authority. The troupe’s character actor who handles narration and the most absurd quick changes.

Character Trait: Handles absurd costume changes—shifting rapidly from a brutal commander to a deadpan Jewish matriarch—with mock grandeur.

Primary Roles: Sara (Ben Hur’s mother), Quintus Arrius (the Roman Admiral), Pontius Pilate, Balthasar (one of the Three Wise Men who initially followed the star to Bethlehem), and General Lew (the author of the original Ben Hur tale).

Daniel Veil- Pages: 11 – 14 (Daniel) and 30 – 33 (Judah)

Edgar T. Chesterfield- Pages: 23 – 26 (Sara) and 57 – 61 (Quintus Arrius)

 Omar Lord – Pages: 30 – 33 (Messala) and 126 – 130 (Jesus)

Crystal Singer –  Pages: 23 – 26 (Esther) and 84 – 88 (Catalinya)