Audition Information

The Importance of Being Earnest

by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Dr. Quincy Thomas

Auditions will be held Tuesday and Wednesday of First Week, September 17-18 from 6:30-8:00 pm, with callbacks on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at the Festival Playhouse.

In addition to The Importance of Being Earnest, simultaneous auditions for May Moe Tun’s SIP production, The String’s the Thing, by Veronica Tjioe, will be held at the same time and place. More information is to follow.

Auditions

Auditions for The Importance of Being Earnest will take place during Week 1 of the Fall term. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, September 17, from 6:30-8:00 pm and Wednesday, September 18, from 6:30-8:00 pm, and callbacks will be held on Thursday, September 19, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Dr. Quincy Thomas will be directing.

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, and are available for review in the Production Office and by email request to kirsten.sluyter@kzoo.edu.

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 Importance of Being Earnest, The String’s the Thing, and How I Learned What I Learned, which is Michael Robertson II’s SIP production.

Roles Included but Not Limited To:

  • John (Jack) Worthing: of the Manor House and known to his friends in the city as Ernest, and as Jack to his family in the country, Jack is a young man who does not knowhis personal history, only that he was found in a handbag at a train station. He is in love with Gwendolen Fairfax and is the legal guardian of Cecily Cardew.
  • Algernon Moncrieff: Jack’s meddling friend, Algy lives in a stylish flat in a prestigious part of London. He is the nephew of Lady Bracknell and falls in love with the lovely Cecily Cardew.
  • Gwendoline Fairfax: daughter of Lady Bracknell and cousin to Algernon, Gwendoline is in love Jack, who she knows as Ernest. She knows that she could only ever love someone named Ernest…
  • Cecily Cardew: Jack’s ward and resident of the country Manor House, Cecily soon falls head over heels for Algernon, who she happens to know as Ernest as well…
  • Lady Bracknell: a woman of importance, aunt of Algernon and the mother of Gwendoline, Lady Bracknell is a respected member of the English aristocracy. She refuses to allow her daughter to marry anyone she sees as below her station, let alone someone from a train station, like Jack.
  • Reverend Canon Chausible, D.D: rector of Woolton and close associate of those at the Manor House.
  • Merriman: butler to Jack.
  • Lane: Algy’s man servant.
  • Miss Prism: Cecily’s tutor.
  • Servant: while the servant has no lines, they tend to get plenty of laughs.

Synopsis

The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of high comedy, sparkling with provocative observations. Oscar Wilde called his play “A trivial comedy for serious people.” He commented that the first act is “ingenious,” the second act “beautiful” and the third “abominably clever.” This classic is a delight from the first cucumber sandwich on as Jack’s double life catches up with him. The problems are resolved in an extremely charming and quite unexpected way as Jack and Algernon discover the importance of being earnest while answering to the name of Ernest.

Want to learn more? Check out this study guide from the Utah Shakespeare Festival to learn all about the show, and Oscar Wilde’s world.

The Importance of Being Earnest is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

Non-Acting Opportunities

Students can work for pay by completing the blue form outside the main office (room 74) or for credit by completing the production application on this website, or using the paper application outside the main office (room 74).

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!