Theatre & Performance Events

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Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Adapted by Simon Stephens / Based on the Novel by Mark Haddon

AUDITIONS: Thursday, November 21 @ 6pm, PBK 163

CALLBACKS: FRIDAY, November 22 @ 6pm, PBK 163

PERSONNEL:

Omiyemi (Artisia) Green, Director, [[avgreen]]

Sofia Strick, Assistant Director, [[sjstrick]]

Sarah Colatriano, Stage Manager, [[scolatriano]]

Abbie Cathcart, Dialect Coach, [[amcathcart]]

CRITICAL DATES:

• January 27 rehearsals begin; Rehearsal Schedule: Monday – Friday, 6-10pm. Not all roles may be called to every rehearsal or for the full duration of rehearsal. Expect to work on weekends during tech.
• February 10 OFF-BOOK
  
• February 24 CIDN dress begins
  
• February 27 CIDN performance opens
  
• March 2 CIDN performance closes
  
• March 2 CIDN strike and cast debrief
  
• March 3 CIDN production team debrief @ 9am
  

**Please note that we are working on a compressed production schedule. Give this some thought before auditioning. Excessive outside commitments for the spring 2025 that conflict with the rehearsal schedule may compromise your ability to participate in CIDN. Be sure to note all known conflicts on your audition form.

AUDITION PREPARATION

1. Read the entire script before auditioning. The production script is available by clicking on the hyperlink. CW: animal cruelty, animal death, death and dying, ableism, controlling parents, violence against children, child abandonment, aggressive encounters with police officers, explicit language.

2. Whether you identify as neurodivergent or neurodiverse, plan to attend the workshop: “Making Brain Magic as a Neurodivergent Improviser” facilitated by Theresa Weiler ’01 on 11/18 @ 5pm. Participants will engage in exercises that foster mutual support, creative synergy, and expressive exploration while addressing the unique strengths and challenges specific to performers with neurodivergent conditions. Dinner provided. RSVP by emailing avgreen@wm.edu. Attendance is not required, but it is a plus.

3. Review and sign the William & Mary Theatre Production Agreement.

4. Complete an audition registration form. Upon returning the audition form, you will receive an individual audition time slot for 11/21.

5. Prepare a 45-60 second section (minimum) of one of the monologues from any one of the following pages: p28-29 (Siobhan), p33 (Judy), p36 (Ed), p74-75 (Christopher). Memorization is not required, but it is a plus.

6. Please wear comfortable, close fitting (for safety) clothing and athletic footwear for the callbacks on 11/22 and expect scene and group work.

AUDITION FOLDER: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17Ql4ZOa_fznFxmP1ZsoNis3-CvdRiBqJ

PLAY DESCRIPTION

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time comes to life as it is written by Christopher Boone, a 15yo neurodivergent human.¹ The play opens 7 minutes after midnight with Christopher’s discovery that his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, has been murdered. His curiosity about Wellington’s murder leads him to discover new family dynamics and a search for the truth that takes him from Swindon to London in search of answers.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

This is an ensemble play of four non-doubling and six doubling characters. All actors will remain onstage for the entire play unless otherwise noted. All scenes run into each other without any breaks. Actors need physical stamina to sit and stand for lengthy periods. Actors should be comfortable with learning to perform accents and be versatile enough to play/differentiate between multiple roles where needed.

Non-doubling Characters

A. Christopher John Francis Boone: somewhat sensory avoidant, doesn’t like being touched aggressively or being touched by strangers. Brilliant in math, detail oriented, great memory recall. Swindon accent. Male presenting. Desire to cast:

1. an openly neurodivergent person for this role, and/or
   
2. a historically underrepresented person on William & Mary Theatre mainstage for this role.

B. Siobhan: teacher to Christopher. Warm and nurturing, patient, stabilizing force. Female presenting. Desire to cast:

1. a historically underrepresented person on William & Mary Theatre mainstage for this role.

C. Ed Boone: father to Christopher. Swindon accent. Seeking to cast an openly neurodivergent actor for this role. Male presenting. Desire to cast:

1. an openly neurodivergent person for this role, and/or
2. a historically underrepresented person on William & Mary Theatre mainstage for this role.

D. Judy Boone: mother to Christopher. Estranged. Swindon accent. Female presenting. Desire to cast:

1. a historically underrepresented person on William & Mary Theatre mainstage for this role.

Doubling Characters

Open to casting a neurodiverse human for any of the following roles:

E. Voice 1, Female, Mrs. Shears (42), also plays Mrs, Gascoyne, Woman on train, Shopkeeper.

F. Voice 2, Male, Mr. Roger Shears, also plays Duty Seargeant, Mr. Wise, Man behind counter, Drunk One

G. Voice 3, Male, Swindon Policeman, also plays Mr. Thompson, Drunk Two, Man with socks, London Policeman

H. Voice 4, Male, Reverend Peters, also plays Uncle Terry (Ed’s brother), Station Policeman, Station Guard

I. Voice 5, Female, No. 40, Lady in street, Information, Punk Girl

J. Voice 6, Female, Mrs. Alexander, also plays Posh Woman

¹ The novel upon which the play was based was written by Mark Haddon, someone who admittedly did no research on autism. Thus, unfortunately there may be stereotypical attributes of autism written into the play.

Sponsored by: Department of Theatre & Performance

Contact

[[avgreen, Omiyemi (Artisia) Green]]

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