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.
Auditions
Auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday of First Week, March 31st – April 1st from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse, with callbacks on Thursday, April 2nd, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Playhouse as well. The Playhouse is attached to the backside of the Fine Arts Building, overlooking the tennis courts and adjacent to the entrance to Dow.
All types of people are invited to audition, and a variety of experience is wanted (and any experience is not necessary!)
Scripts will be provided at auditions, so come as you are! If you would like to peruse a copy of the script beforehand, please email Kirsten Sluyter (kirsten.sluyter@kzoo.edu) or stop by the Theatre Production Office in the lower level of FAB.
If you’re still interested in being a part of the play but not sure about acting, check out the production application page, where you can apply to be part of the backstage company for The Country Wife.
Roles Included:
Margery Pinchwife: Newly married to Jack. Her mask is an innocent, guileless, obedient country bumpkin, and she presents it to almost everyone except Alithea and Lucy. She learns quickly and is smarter than she lets on. She wants to use her new role as a Town wife to her advantage, to gain the freedom and autonomy available to women in the city.
Alithea Pinchwife: Younger sister of Jack, witty, straightforward, and honorable. Margery’s ally, but she is beholden to and powerless under her controlling brother. Engaged to Sparkish out of obligation, she falls in love with Hartcourt. Her mask is the dependent, submissive woman, but she fights against it with her honesty and intellect. She wants to free herself from her brother’s control without deserting Margery.
Lucy: Alithea’s sensible, intelligent, and insightful maid. Resourceful in organizing and executing a variety of schemes, she also works for others when it suits her, including Horner and Harcourt. Knows everybody, sees everything, understand how to use information to her advantage, and plays the long game. She can change her mask to suit the situation and her own needs. She wants to personally profit from assisting others in their shenanigans.
Lady Fidget: Married to Sir Jasper Fidget and the leader of the “virtuous gang” of Society ladies. Her mask is the upright and honorable Society wife, which she uses with her husband and in public, in order to enjoy herself with her friends and lovers in private. Has a secret affair with Horner. Skilled in playing the game of code-switching, she wants to act freely without getting caught, so she can maintain her reputation and standing, and assist other women in doing the same.
Mistress Squeamish: Cousin of the Fidgets, one of Lady Fidget’s sidekicks in the “virtuous gang” of Society ladies. Her mask is the upright and honorable Society woman, which she uses with in public, so she may enjoy herself with her friends and lovers in private. Has a secret affair with Horner. She wants to keep up with and learn from Lady Fidget, and to act freely while maintaining her reputation and standing.
Dainty Fidget: Unmarried sister of Sir Jasper Fidget, one of Lady Fidget’s sidekicks and the most innocent/inexperienced of the “virtuous gang” of Society ladies. Her mask is the upright and honorable Society woman, which she uses in public so she may enjoy herself with her friends and lovers in private. Has a secret affair with Horner. She wants keep up with and learn from Lady Fidget and Mistress Squeamish, and to act freely while maintaining her reputation and standing.
Harry Horner: A notorious City playboy, rake and wit. He wears a variety of masks: the impotent eunuch in public and in front of the husbands whose wives he wants to sleep with; the loyal Three Musketeers buddy to his male friends; the smitten lover to his sexual conquests. His many masks make it difficult to know who the real Horner is. He wants to do as he pleases without getting caught.
Jack Pinchwife: Newly married to Margery. An aging former playboy, he is now the archetypal jealous husband: obsessive, tyrannical, suspicious and violent. He attempts to mask these qualities behind a show of strength, but does not succeed. He may have a sexual history with Horner as well as friendship. He wants control and power.
Sparkish: A shallow, self-centered, would-be playboy who considers himself a wit, but is thought a ridiculous fool by everyone else. Believes that others think as highly of him as he does of himself. Engaged to Alithea and wears the mask of the devoted lover until he thinks she has been unfaithful to him. He wants admiration, and Alithea’s dowry.
Sir Jasper Fidget: An oblivious and gullible Society gentleman, married to Lady Fidget. Believes he is more aware and insightful than he is. Wears the mask of the devoted husband because Society expects it. He wants to keep his wife happy and (he thinks) under his control, but without having to exert too much effort.
Frank Harcourt: A witty, rakish, but honest friend of Horner’s. Falls in love with Alithea, which brings out his better nature, although he still employs trickery to attain her. His masks are temporary and primarily aimed at Sparkish (the good friend, the parson). He wants Alithea to love and marry him.
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!