AUDITIONS!! We are excited to announce auditions for our May 2025 production of “PETS (AND THEIR HUMANS)“, part of the Mike Sockol New Works Series.

CREW VOLUNTEERS: If you’re not looking to audition but you want to be in the crew, send us an email to [email protected] and let us know what you’d like to do!

AUDITION DATES: Will be Wednesday January 29 2025 and Thursday January 30 2025! They will begin PROMPTLY at 7:00 PM (auditionees are encouraged to arrive early and be ready to begin at 7:00 PM). Please arrive NO LATER than 8:00 PM! End time is around 8:30pm.

AUDITION LOCATION: Auditions and all rehearsals and shows will be at Villagers Theatre, 515 DeMott Lane, Somerset NJ.

OPTIONAL – AUDITION VIDEO: In person auditions are preferred. But if you absolutely cannot make either of the two audition dates, you may videotape your audition, performing all sides, for the role(s) you’re seeking. Have a friend read all other roles, from the Sides below. Post your video online and send a link to it, to [email protected]. Include your contact details, and the parts you are auditioning for. You must also still fill out the Online Audition Form below!

ONLINE AUDITION FORM: Please fill out our online audition form, link below, prior to your attendance at the auditions!

ONLINE AUDITION FORM

SHOW DATES: May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 – 2025 (Fri/Sat 8pm and Sundays 2pm).

REHEARSAL DATES: Will start February 10th 2025 and will usually only be up to 3 days per week (mostly mondays through thursdays, but some Fridays), 7pm till about 9:30pm or 10. You MUST PROVIDE all your conflicts, on our Audition Form.

Note that there is NO REHEARSAL from Friday February 21st through Sunday March 2nd (memorize your lines!). However all other weeks from Feb 10th through Thursday May 8th, will have rehearsals.

TECH WEEK [all mandatory]: Saturday May 3rd 10am-1pm, Sunday May 4th 1:30pm-9pm, Monday May 5th through Thursday May 8th (7pm-11:00pm weeknights)

PLAY SUMMARY: Years after his wife’s sudden death, Brad is still grieving the loss in the only way he knows how: by talking it out with his pets. Titina and Mac. Meanwhile, Titina and Mac plot ways to help him move on, while debating issues of philosophy and the meaning of life. Just as Brad starts dating again and things seem to be returning to normal, Brad’s new girlfriend Stefanie is shocked to learn that Brad thinks he can talk to animals, while a bigger surprise involving her own puppy, Scout, threatens to tear their relationship apart. A funny and poignant look at the role pets play in our lives. [If you’ve ever developed a loving bond with a dog or cat, this play is for you!]

ROLE DESCRIPTIONS:

BRAD: A widower and veterinarian, with two daughters, a dog Tetina and cat Mac. He’s often calm and collected. He’s a “whisperer” which means he can truly speak to animals, partly telepathically. He doesn’t let people know, or they would think he is crazy. But it makes him a great veterinarian. He spends much more time talking to his dog and cat, than his two daughters. There are romantic/kissing scenes with Stefanie. Age 30 to 50.

STEFANIE: Brad’s new girlfriend, a cable TV hostess. A little high strung. A bit jealous that Brad is still hung up on his deceased wife Denise. Doesn’t learn about Brad’s abilities till later in the play, and then thinks he’s crazy and a very bad influence on his girls. She secretly locks her dog Scout up in a dark closet, when he’s bad. There are romatic/kissing scenes with Brad. Age 25 to 50.

BARB: Brad’s teenage daughter. Somewhat jealous that she cannot talk to animals, but her dad and sister Cassie can. Her Dad did not teach her, due to her mom disapproving of talking to pets, and the inability for their older (also deceased) dog Titan, from having the energy to communicate. After her mom’s death, her dad developed a closer relationship with his pets than with Barb. She buries the related hurt and pain she feels, until it all comes out in an explosive very emotional scene. Bonds with Stefanie.

CASSIE: Brad’s preteen daughter. Because her mom wasn’t around most of her life, to discourage Brad from teaching her how to talk with animals, she has learned how to do this from her dad. She doesn’t realize most people do not have that ability. Bonds with Stefanie.

TETINA: A female dog, owned by Brad. Should appear younger than Mac. Tetina discovers later in the play, during her drunk “awakening”, that she is Brad’s deceased wife Denise, reincarnated; Brad does not know and they cannot tell their masters. Adult 20-30.

MAC: A male cat, owned by Brad. Should appear older than Tetina. We learn at the end of the play, Mac has known he was Brad’s grandfather, reincarnated; Brad does not know and they cannot tell their masters. Adult 35-60+.

SCOUT: A female or male puppy (actor flexible), owned by Stefanie. A goofball. Clumsy and impulsive, as puppies are. Often repeats his last word a few times. Often interrupts conversations between Titina and Mac; initially they find Scout annoying. Young adult 13-16 appearing.

ETHNIC DIVERSITY: Roles are available to all performers, regardless of ethnicity, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

COSTUME & PERFORMANCE NOTES: Tetina, Mac & Scout will not crawl on all fours. They will walk on 2 feet. When not walking, they are lying or in the sitting position. Single color costumes and light makeup will be used, to signify they are pets. No masks. Physical actions will reinforce the impression that they are animals in “human form”.

WHAT TO PREPARE: Review our SIDES below – bring a printed copy if you can:

SIDE-1: TITINA, MAC, BRAD, STEFANIE

SIDE-2: CASSIE, BARB, SCOUT, TITINA, MAC, STEFANIE

SIDE-3: ALL – BRAD, STEFANIE, BARB, CASSIE, TITINA, MAC, SCOUT

For our pet actors, we are looking for physical body movements, facial expressions and other quirks that embody the personality of the pet that you are auditioning for.

Please email your theatre resume and headshot, if you have them, in advance to: [email protected].

Please be prepared to have your photo taken, for audition purposes only.

FOR ANY QUESTIONS Please email the Director (Darren Nye) & Stage Manager (Lauren Walton) at: [email protected]

SIGN UP TO AUDTION NOW!