EQUUS Auditions
The Umbrella is proud to announce auditions for its fall production of
Peter Shaffer’s, EQUUS!
Produced by Brian Boruta
Directed by Nancy Curran WIllis
Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, is confronted with Alan Strang, a boy who has blinded six horses in a violent fit of passion. This very passion is as foreign to Dysart as the act itself. To the boy's parents it is a hideous mystery; Alan has always adored horses. To Dysart it is a psychological puzzle that leads both doctor and patient to a complex and disturbingly dramatic confrontation. This international success reached new acclaim in London and on Broadway when revived in 2008.
Performances are scheduled November 4th – 20th. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm.
Actors must be 18+ at the time of audition. This production will include nudity. British accents are required for all roles.
All those cast will be offered a travel stipend.
When: June 20th and 23rd beginning at 7 pm, by appointment. Callbacks by invitation will be held on June 26th beginning at 3 pm.
Where: The Umbrella, 40 Stow St. Concord, MA.
What to prepare: Those auditioning will be asked to prepare material from the script, selected by the director. Materials will be available beginning 2 weeks prior to the audition date and will be distributed via email.
SPECIAL NOTE – Those interested in auditioning for one of the horses will be asked to attend a movement audition on the day of the callbacks. If you are only interested in auditioning for one of the horses, you need not attend the initial auditions earlier in the week.
To schedule an appointment or for questions or more information, email Brian@theumbrellaarts.org.
Character descriptions:
British accents are required for all roles.
All actors except Alan and Dysart are also part of the chorus and remain onstage for the entire production.
Two roles, Alan and Jill, require nudity in one scene.
NOTE: all ages are approximate. You must be able to believably play the age listed, not necessarily be the age listed. The role of Alan will NOT be played by a young teenager. We will be looking for a youthful looking adult actor 18 to 20+ years old due to subject matter and required nudity.
Martin Dysart:
A psychiatrist at a hospital, who works with youths. He has recently been questioning his life and work.
Gender: Male
Age to play: mid 40's-mid 50's
Alan Strang:
A troubled young man, the patient of Dr. Dysart
Gender: Male
Age to play: 17
Alan’s Father:
Hates religion, TV, has a hard time talking about personal issues
Gender: Male
Age to play: 50's
Dora Strang:
Alan’s mother, a very religious woman
Gender: Female
Age to play: 50's
Hesther Salomon:
A magistrate, Dysart’s friend and confidante
Gender: Female
Age to play: 40's
Jill Mason:
Works in the stables, loves horses and riding, down to earth approach to life, pretty, attracted to Alan
Gender: Female
Age to play: 20's
Harry Dalton:
A stable owner
Gender: Male
Age to play: 40-60
A Horseman/Nugget, the lead horse
The Horseman is a speaking part. Nugget requires a physically strong actor with excellent movement skills.
A Nurse
Alan’s nurse, any age
Gender: Male or Female
Age to play: 20-60
Five Actors
Horses, shop customers, theatre patrons, chorus – some dance ability preferred as the horses require choreographed movement.
Gender: Male or Female
