Story Theater Company Presents The Last Illusion

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION
The audition process for The Last Illusion will be conducted at the same time as auditions for the Teen Play Festival.
Teens will have the option to be considered for both productions; it is possible to participate in both shows.

• Auditions: November 19 and 21; callbacks Nov 22 (as needed)
• Rehearsals:
  Dec 7 – Feb 6, rehearsals will be 4:30-6:45 Tue/Thu and 10:15-12:45 Sat. 
  Feb 9 – 12, rehearsals every weekday afternoon.
  View a preliminary rehearsal schedule.
• Approximately 20 roles available for ages 9-18
• 6-7 crew members needed (ages 12-18)

AUDITION GUIDELINES

• You must be 9-18 years old at the time of auditions to be considered for a role, and 12-18 years old to be on the crew.
• Fill out the online Audition Form & Crew Application and attach a headshot photo.
• You will audition with a small group, and will be at your audition for about one hour. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your audition time.
• For the audition, please prepare and memorize one monologue from the options provided below.
• If interested in a crew position, please fill out the online Audition Form & Crew Application.
  Feel free to stop by anytime during the auditions if you have questions.

If you are new to auditioning or not sure what to expect, you can check out our Audition and Casting FAQ. 

The participation fee for The Last Illusion is $175 for cast members and $65 for crew members. The participation fee covers professional theatrical instruction, a show T-shirt, keepsake poster, cast/crew party, and 2 complimentary tickets to the show.

• Scholarship assistance is available for those who may need help covering the participation fee. A scholarship request form will be accessible to all cast and crew members in the Audition form and Crew application. Scholarship applications do not affect casting decisions.
• Payment plans are also available to those who request assistance. Payment plans do not affect casting decisions.

CREW ROLES
Assistant Stage Manager, Light Cues, Sound Cues, Projections Cues, Wardrobe Assistant

CAST ROLES
HARRY HOUDINI: The great magician himself. More importantly, he is a loving husband and true friend to those who know him. Avoid the impulse to play him only as a showman, and focus on the human side of the man. 
MARTIN BECK: Houdini’s manager and friend. Martin should be played both as a showman and as someone who loves and respects Houdini. The manager’s side is as important as the friend’s side of him. 
BESS HOUDINI: Houdini’s wife and partner. Her love for Houdini must be evident from their first meeting to her last monologue. 
CELIA WEISS: Houdini’s mother and the consummate Jewish mother. She worries but also has faith in her son.
MARGERY CRANDON: A spiritualist and medium. Renowned for her beauty, she is ultimately proven to be a fraud by Houdini. 
GORDON WHITEHEAD: An angry and jealous boyfriend. He is actually the man who killed Houdini.
HEREWARD CARRINGTON: A representative of The Scientific American and investigator. He is most likely seduced by Margery and supports her claim to be a legitimate psychic. 
GEORGE: A loving husband who is at times gruff with his wife. 
MARY: Gordon’s girlfriend and a fan of Houdini. 
BEATRICE: An academic who has given up on men and who assists in The Scientific American’s investigation of so- called psychics.
EVELYN: Beatrice’s friend and a fan of Houdini. 
MYRNA: George’s wife.
PAUL: Houdini’s mechanic and builder of his illusions. Paul is closest to Houdini second only to Bess. He is Houdini’s friend and cherishes him.
DR. CRANDON: Margery’s husband.He is a wealthy physician who supports his wife’s claims to be a psychic. 
ASSISTANTS 1-4: They are an invaluable part of the play in that they continuously remind us of the danger Houdini is in. They should grow increasingly alarmed with each passing second of the performance. 
REPORTERS 1-3: They are your typical 1920s reporters and provide important information throughout the play. 
SOCIETY LADY 1, SOCIETY MAN, SOCIETY LADY2: They attend Margery’s séances probably more for the free drinks and food than any real belief in the supernatural or her abilities. They are affluent and bored but not true believers.

AUDITION MATERIALS:  MONOLOGUES

Please prepare and memorize one monologue. You may choose from the provided material below or you may choose to provide your own. We encourage you to perform whichever monologue you like best and will best represent you as a performer; you do not need to focus too much on the characters listed.

MONOLOGUES