Audition announcements!
Audition Notice for THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
Written by: George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (AMATEUR PERFORMANCE RIGHTS) is presented by arrangement
with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. www.concordtheatricals.com
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE AUDITION NOTICE BEFORE SIGNING UP!
THE MTM PLAYERS
DIRECTOR: Rob Michael Lasky
STAGE MANAGERS: Christine Heffron, Rachel Piscopo
The MTM Players and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities, and abilities.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The Man Who Came to Dinner is a classic comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. When sharp-tongued celebrity Sheridan Whiteside slips on the ice and takes over a small-town home, chaos follows. Packed with eccentric characters and razor-sharp wit, this fast-paced ensemble comedy delivers nonstop laughs. Time Period: 1930s
PERFORMANCE DATES:
TWO WEEKENDS – SIX PERFORMANCES
Fri., Jan. 8 and 15, 2027 at 8pm
Sat. Jan. 9 and 16, 2027 and Sun., Jan 10 and 17, 2027 at 2pm
AUDITION DATES and TIMES – Location MCCC Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550 – Room TBA
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 (1pm-4pm)
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 (6pm-9pm)
- Monday, October 19, 2026 (7pm-9pm)
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (7pm) – Callbacks by invitation-only
- VIDEO SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL MON., OCT. 19TH – 9PM AT auditions@mtmplayers.org. Please include a photo and resume with your submission. Be available on Tues., OCT. 20th, 7pm for possible callback auditions in person by invite only.
APPOINTMENTS AND QUESTIONS:
FOR IN-PERSON AUDITIONS, YOU MUST SIGN-UP FOR AN AUDITION SLOT AT:
http://www.tinyurl.com/mtmmandinnerauditions
Walk-ins welcome, but we will see those with appointments first. Prepare to wait.
You can contact the production team at: auditions@mtmplayers.org with any questions or to submit your video audition.
PREPARE:
Fill out the application and conflict calendar provided at the sign-up site or by using this link: http://www.mtmplayers.org/mandinnerauditionpacket.pdf. This is NOT an online form. This is a PDF that you need to download, print, and fill out and bring with you to auditions along with a headshot. Should you not have a head shot available, we may take your photo which we do not keep after the casting process is over. Hard copies will be available when checking in if you cannot print your own. (Please be as accurate as possible as we schedule rehearsals around conflicts. Should you have a lot of conflicts, please reconsider auditioning. We do not like last-minute non-emergency conflicts. The producers reserve the right to replace those with reoccurring unscheduled conflicts/absences.) Sides provided for particular parts you may be seeking and you may also be asked to do a cold reading from the script. You may prepare a short comedic monologue if you care to do so, but we may still ask you to read from the sides as well.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
ALL PERFORMERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27TH FROM 1PM UNTIL LATE (with a dinner-break). LOAD-IN WILL BE ON THIS DATE. REHEARSALS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE WINTER BREAK DURING THE WEEK OF DEC. 28TH UNTIL THE 30TH TAKING A BREAK FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY. REHEARSALS WILL RESUME SUNDAY, JAN. 3RD (TIME TBA). ALL PERFORMERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE DEC. 27TH, JAN. 3RD AND 4TH-7TH IN THE EVENINGS WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. ALSO, SET ASIDE THURS., JAN. 14TH FOR A POSSIBLE BRUSH-UP REHEARSAL -7PM. SHOULD YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT BE AVAILBLE FOR ANY OF THESE DATES, PLEASE RECONSIDER AUDITIONING.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will begin the week of October 25, 2026 with a meet and greet. We will focus mostly blocking at first and not all performers will need to be at every rehearsal depending on which scenes are being blocked. Generally, rehearsals will be scheduled either one of a Saturday afternoon or Sunday evening and two weekday evenings with a total of two or three per week. All rehearsals will be on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, NJ 08550.
SEEKING:
Roles are open to performers of all races, sexual orientations, body types, ages and abilities. We are striving to cast a diverse cast for this production. All are welcome!
All roles are Non-Equity, unpaid
CHARACTER INFORMATION
20+ actors. Flexible age ranges for all roles – doubling/tripling of roles possible.
- Sheridan Whiteside—acerbic, high-energy and high maintenance radio personality who comes to dominate the Stanley household. He says and does whatever he wants regardless of the consequences. Despite his bombastic demeanor, he does have his charms—keeping us all wondering what he will do next. 40s, 50s
- Maggie Cutler—efficient, smart assistant to Sheridan. She’s all business and has no time for Sheridan’s narcissistic nonsense. She dispatches the details of his life with military efficiency and has developed a playful working relationship with Sheridan—making him seem more human. She’s restless though—eager for a little romance and to be out from under Sheridan’s shadow. When needed, she can defend herself and those she cares about. 30s, 40s.
- Lorraine Sheldon—beautiful, over-the-top stage actress who will do anything for a part. She’s convinced she’s right for every role and every man, and she will travel the world to land a part…or the man of her dreams. 30s, 40s.
- Bert Jefferson—earnest, ambitious local reporter, who is eager to interview Sheridan. He is warm and charming and clearly bright. But he’s no match for the schemes of Sheridan and Lorraine. He’s much better suited for the loyal and hard-working Maggie. Late 20s, 30s, early 40s.
- Mrs. Stanley—traditional, socially-ambitious, upper-class housewife of late 1930s. At first, she is delighted to have Sheridan to dinner at her house, but as his rule of terror unfolds, she finds herself juggling an impatient husband, children eager to pursue their dreams, and a penguin or two. 50s – 60s
- Mr. Stanley—the foil to Sheridan. Mr. Stanley is a conservative, proper businessman and father. He is used to order in his upscale, Ohio home. He tolerates Sheridan’s chaos at first to appease his wife, but his patience wears thin. 50s – 60s
- Richard Stanley—son of the Stanleys. He’s earnest, hard-working, and well-intentioned. He respects his parents, but finds himself ready to set out on his own and pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. At first intimidated by Sheridan, he grows to admire Sheridan’s zest for life. 20s.
- June Stanley—spirited and charming daughter of the Stanley’s. She, like her brother, loves her parents, but is ready to be set free. She has a secret romance with Sandy, a man who does not meet the approval of her father. 20s.
- Harriet Stanley—the elusive and mysterious sister of Mr. Stanley, who is “not quite of this world.” She seems to appear from nowhere and has an odd and elusive connection to Sheridan. 50s – 70s
- Miss Preen—no nonsense nurse, whose face tells it all. Her deadpan delivery and matter-of-fact manner contrast sharply to Sheridan’s verbal calisthenics. She takes it for just so long, and then…. Age: flexible.
- Beverly Carlton—(this role has been pre-cast)
- Banjo/Convict—the act three dynamo who bursts onto the scene. He’s a long-time friend of Sheridan. He’s an energetic, funny, crazy actor—up for anything. He decides to leave the whirlwind of Hollywood to spend Christmas with Sheridan. 30s, 40s, 50s.
- Prof. Metz/choir member—the world’s greatest authority on insect life. Crazy hair and the mad scientist demeanor radiate from this academic character. 50s, 60s, male or female.
- Dr. Bradley—the benign, somewhat daft doctor, who gets a little confused by the details of medicine. He is desperate to have his memoirs published. 50s, 60s.
- John—the head butler of the Stanley household. He runs a tight ship, but early on develops an affinity for Sheridan’s chaotic and colorful life. Age: flexible.
- Sarah/Choir member—the chef of the house. She’s exacting and diligent, eager to please. She’s quite taken by Sheridan, especially when he praises her soufflé and then offers her the chance to work for him in New York. Age: flexible
- Sandy/Convict/Plain Clothes man—boyfriend of June, working-class union leader who is trying organize the men in Mr. Stanley’s plant. He loves June but has disdain for Mr. Stanley and his conservative politics. 20s, early 30s.
- Mrs. McCutcheon/choir member—the nosey neighbor who is out of her mind that “the” Sheridan Whiteside has arrived in town. She’s a little pushy and all too eager to mix with the rich and famous. 40s, 50s, 60s.
- Mrs. Dexter/choir member—Mrs. McCutcheon, friend and sidekick, who is also eager to meet and share her small-town hospitality with the Ohio’s most famous guest. 40s, 50s, 60s.
- Wetscott/Baker—radio producer, who has one task: deliver the Christmas broadcast of his lifetime, despite chaos erupting around him. As Baker, he is the lead guard of the three prisoners. Age flexible.
- Deputy/Delivery Man—the law and order man of this small Ohio town; he’s paid on the side for making sure Mr. Stanley’s wishes are met. Age: flexible.
- Expressman/Convict—delivery man who is oblivious to the chaos he is entering; afterall, there’s a job to be done. Age: flexible.
Please watch this space for all upcoming 2026-27 season auditions here or at http://www.kelseytheatre.org
The MTM Players and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities, and abilities.
The MTM Players and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities, and abilities.
MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor NJ 08550
Click here for tickets to any Kelsey show!