William Wycherley’s The Country Wife
Adapted by Rachel Atkins
Directed by Prof. Ren Pruis
Auditions will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on March 31st and April 1st, with callbacks from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on April 2nd,
all in the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse, 129 Thompson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.
Performances are May 14 – 17, 2026.
Synopsis
Margery Pinchwife is a new bride, just arrived in the city with her husband and sister-in-law as Harry Horner, a notorious playboy, spreads the false rumor of his own impotence as cover for his affairs with the “honorable” women of society, including Sir Jaspar’s wife and her cohorts the so-called “virtuous gang.” Horner’s former friend and lover, Jack Pinchwife, desperately tries to keep Margery under his control and locked away from the temptations of city life, while also marrying off his sister Alithea to Sparkish, a ridiculous fop. Margery makes her escape, Sparkish and Mr. Pinchwife show their true selves, Horner adds Margery to his conquest, and Alithea finds a better match with Horner’s friend Harcourt. Throughout, Alithea’s maid Lucy manipulates behind the scenes of everyone’s schemes, exposing a tangled web of sexual innuendo, social hypocrisy, code-switching, lies, and intrigue that leaves no stereotype unturned.
Cast
Margery Pinchwife Grace Heimbolt
Alithea Pinchwife Mo Silcott
Lucy Bernice Mike
Lady Fidget Hannah Haines
Mistress Squeamish Stephanie Moranko
Dainty Fidget Jillian Whitton
Harry Hornet Nolan Surach
Jack Pinchwife Ben Perry
Sparkish Jey Trebley
Sir Jasper Fidget Jack Dewey
Frank Harcourt Francis Erzen
THANK YOU, to everyone who attended the callbacks! So many strong and interesting choices by everyone made the casting decisions quite difficult! Thank you, and please consider working on the show in a different capacity.
FIRST REHEARSAL WILL BE WEEK 2 MONDAY, 6:30 start, in the Seminar Library. Actors please (always) arrive at least 10 minutes early and (always) bring a pencil (and your script) with you.
SCRIPTS may be picked up in the production office or provided at the first rehearsal.
Non-Acting Opportunities
Students can work for pay by applying to work for one of the shops on Handshake, or for credit by completing the production application on this website. All members of the company are eligible for a THEA 200 (practicum) credit.
How to get to The Playhouse for auditions:
1. The Playhouse is located near Dow Science Center on 129 Thompson St. As you face the Light Fine Arts Building, go to the left towards the Dow parking lot. The Playhouse is to the right of Dow Science Center on the far end of the parking lot.
2. The Stage Manager will give you the paperwork you need to complete then direct you into The Playhouse for your audition. Please have your complete schedule available to reference when you arrive.
FAQs About Auditioning for Festival Playhouse
Do I have to be a Theatre Arts major or minor to audition?
No! In fact, we highly encourage involvement in different majors and activities outside of theatre. On average, up to 70% of students working on a Festival Playhouse show are not Theatre Arts majors or minors.
What other opportunities are there for students who are not cast or are not interested in auditioning?
Most production positions for any Festival Playhouse show are filled by students. We have student set/lighting designers, stage managers, assistant stage managers, light/sound board operators, spot light operators, wardrobe crew, props crew, dramaturgs, and more! Even if you are not cast in a show, you can always find a way to be involved!
When do we rehearse?
Our productions usually rehearse 5 nights per week 7pm-10pm, either Monday thru Friday or Sunday thru Thursday. Beginning two weeks from opening night we extend another hour to 11pm. The tech weekend before the show opens is Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 11pm with a dinner break. This is a generic schedule, and it may vary with each individual director’s preferences.
Do I have to come to rehearsal every night?
It depends on the size of the role. Larger roles will be in rehearsal almost every night. Smaller roles may only be called 2-3 evenings per week and not necessarily the entire rehearsal. Often, the entire cast is called every night the first week of rehearsal as we read through the play. No matter what the size of the role, however, everyone will be called every night for the full rehearsal period the last two weeks of rehearsal before opening night.
What if I have an evening class?
Every show and every director treats this differently, but a general rule of thumb is that if you clearly indicate the class on your audition sheet, if the director casts you, then they understand they will have to work around your class. The exception is always the last two weeks of rehearsal, though, when everyone is called every night. It’s up to you to negotiate with the professor.
What if I can’t get out of a class though?
The best thing to do is just audition and be very clear with the director about your schedule. We’ve always worked it out.
Won’t such a big time commitment affect my grades?
It might, but you should know that many, many students in the plays actually have a better GPA than those who are not! There is a culture of learning to manage time and taking pride in academic achievement that goes along with any artistic endeavor at K.
What about Monkapult?
Monkapult (the student comedy improv group) typically rehearses from 10-12pm. The only possible overlap of rehearsal is the last two weeks when we go to 11pm (usually not a problem since many Monkapult team members are also theatre students).
If I’m cast in a production, do I need to get stage makeup?
Yes! Lucky for you, we have this guide with resources on how to find and purchase your own makeup kit.
Further information will be posted for each play as it is available.
Welcome to Festival Playhouse! We’re glad you’re joining us!