October 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 || 8:00 PM
October 13, 20, 27 || 2:30 PM

30 by Ninety Theatre presents Murder On The Orient Express
Adapted for the Stage by Ken Ludwig
Director: Chris Aberle || Asst. Director: Tonya Lagman

Rehearsals will run from August 26 to October 12.
Audition will be a cold reading from pre-selected sides,

Register for the audition here.

Questions? Email info@30byNinety.com with subject: Orient.

Famous detective Hercule Poirot is called back from Istanbul to London on urgent business. He intends to book a first-class compartment on the Orient Express, run by his former friend and colleague, Monsieur Bouc.

The train is surprisingly full, but Bouc manages to secure Poirot a spot in the first-class cabin. While aboard the Orient Express, Poirot meets a host of peculiar characters: an aging Russian princess, her Swedish companion, a Hungarian countess, a Minnesota housewife, a Scottish colonel, an English governess, a French conductor, a disagreeable American businessman, and his anxious secretary.

While aboard the train, the angry businessman, Samuel Ratchett, corners Poirot and demands Poirot to investigate a series of ominous letters that have been sent to Ratchett, threatening his life.

As a snowdrift halts the Orient Express in its tracks, Ratchett is found stabbed multiple times in his locked train compartment. Poirot is tasked by Monsieur Bouc to solve the murder, as the killer could still be in their midst.

As Poirot investigates, conflicting clues and convoluted alibis lead him to dead ends. Over the course of 48 hours, will Poirot be able to solve the case of the Murder on the Orient Express?

Roles Being Cast: 6 Men; 5 Women

Hercule Poirot (Male, 40 to 65) || Poirot is a world renown private detective from Belgium (French-ish accent will suffice). A “quaint dandified little man” with a prominent mustache, who reluctantly finds himself called upon to solve a murder. He is simultaneously arrogant and humble. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.

Monsieur Bouc (Male, 40-65) || Also from Belgium, Bouc is a long time friend of Poirot, though he is no match for Poirot in intelligence. He is gregarious, honest, and forthright. Bouc is the director of the company that operates the Orient Express. Although he is concerned about his company’s image, he puts his friends and customers above profit.

Mary Debenham (Female, mid 20s-mid 30s)|| Standard English accent. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arbuthnot.

Colonel Arbuthnot (Male, 30s) || A military man. Stern, matter of fact. Has a temper. He is in love with Mary Debenham.

Samuel Ratchet (Male, 35-50) || American mobster, posing as a business man, Ratchet has a brusque, unforgiving, and threatening demeanor. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.

Helen Hubbard (Female, 50s) || American. She presents herself as a loud, crass, flamboyant busybody from Minnesota, but in reality she is a Broadway-style actor/singer/dancer (who does some singing in the play).

Hector McQueen (Male, 20s- 30s) || American. Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. He seems rather new to his profession.

Princess Dragomiroff (Female, 60s-70s) || Russian accent. The Princess is a rich, elegant, woman of displaced Russian nobility. Determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal and holds very decided opinions.

Greta Ohlsson (Female, 30s) || Swedish. Sheepish and frightened, she is a devout Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff.

Michel (Male, 40s) || French. The conductor of the first class carriages of the Orient Express. Michel is competent, organized, and is very good at his job. NOTE: This actor will double as the Head Waiter of the Tokatilian Hotel at the beginning of the play and will also need to be able to do a Turkish-ish accent.

Countess Eléna Ardrenyi (Female, 25-35) || Hungarian accent (but faking it because she is actually American). Described as “brilliantly beautiful, like from a fairytale.” She is married to a count, and is also a doctor. She is intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot.

January 18, 24, 25, 31; February 1 || 8:00 PM
January 19, 26; February 2 || 2:30 PM

30 by Ninety Theatre in collaboration with Louisiana Shakespeare Company presents
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Director: John Wesley & Courtney Lee

Rehearsals will run from December 9 to January 17.
Please prepare either a classical comedic monologue– please refrain from choosing a piece from Midsummer – we’ll be using material from the show for callbacks –OR feel free to adapt your favorite pop song into the language of Shakespeare! Don’t know what to pick? No worries! We have some selections available for you on the 30 by Ninety website here.
— December will mark the beginning of blocking/stage rehearsals. Character/language rehearsals will be scheduled based on the availability of actors and the language coach. If you are aware of any conflicts, please indicate them on the audition signup form or during the audition in order to facilitate scheduling.

Register for the audition here.

*Questions can be directed to info@30byNinety.com with the subject line: Midsummer.

Theseus/Oberon: Male, 30s-50s. || As the Duke of Athens, Theseus is a heroic figure of Greek mythology and is recently married to the Amazon Queen Hippolyta. Oberon is king of the fairies and schemes with Puck to take Titania’s changeling ward.

Hippolyta/Titania: Female, 30s-50s. || Hippolyta is Queen of the Amazons, daughter to the God of War. Titania is Queen of the fairies. After taking in her friend’s child as her ward, she is made to fall in love with Bottom after he has been given a donkey’s head.

Egeus: Male, 40s-60s. || Father of Hermia, conflicts with her over her desire to marry Lysander instead of Demetrius.

Helena: Female, 15-20s. || Helena is best friends with Hermia, but is also envious of the attention afforded to her by Demetrius. Passionately in love with Demetrius, she follows him into the woods when he leaves to follow Hermia.

Hermia: Female, 15-20s. || Hermia is best friends with Helena, and is doted upon by both Lysander and Demetrius. She runs off into the woods with Lysander to escape a forced marriage to Demetrius.

Demetrius: Male, 15-20s. || In love with Hermia, he follows Hermia and Lysander into the woods. He is brash and assertive, later bewitched by Puck into falling in love with Helena.

Lysander: Male, 15-20s. || In love with Hermia, he runs off with her into the woods. He is the more calculating and logical of the male lovers, later bewitched by Puck into falling in love with Helena.

Philostrate: || Master of Revels to Theseus, accompanies Theseus and Hippolyta.

Peter Quince: Male, 20s-50s. || One of the Mechanicals, a sort of de facto organizer of the group, yet Quince is laid back and so go-with-the-flow that he probably wouldn’t call himself a leader.

Nick Bottom: Male, 20s-50s. || One of the Mechanicals, Bottom is sharp and quick witted. He thinks himself a theatrical genius and will make sure everyone knows it.

Francis Flute: Male, 20s – 50s. || One of the Mechanicals, Flute is the pretty-boy type who’s chuffed that he didn’t get the male lead, but has to play the love interest.

Snug: Male, 20s – 50s. || One of the Mechanicals, Snug is the wallflower of the group. He will contently fade into the background while the others take the attention.

Tom Snout: Male, 20s – 50s. || One of the Mechanicals, Snout is excited to participate. Eager to learn from seasoned actors like Bottom.

Robin Starveling: Male, 20s-50s. || One of the Mechanicals, Starveling is the parent friend of the group trying to keep everyone together and on track.

Puck: 20s-30s. || A mischievous fairy who helps Oberon take custody of Titania’s ward. He bewitches Lysander and Demetrius to fall in love Helena.

Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed: 15 – 20s. || Fairies who serve Titania.