Burien Actors Theatre announces auditions for the comedy In the Next Room or the vibrator play, written by Sarah Ruhl. The show calls for 7 adult actors to play characters ranging in age from 20s to 50s, including an African-American actress to play a character in her 30s. 

SYNOPSIS: In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) is a comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity. Set in the 1880s at the dawn of the age of electricity and based on the bizarre historical fact that doctors used vibrators to treat 'hysterical' women (and some men), the play centers on a doctor and his wife and how his new therapy affects their entire household. In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating "hysteria" in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. Adjacent to the doctor's laboratory, his young and energetic wife tries to 
tend to their newborn daughter—and wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. When a new "hysterical" patient and her husband bring a wet nurse and their own complicated relationship into the doctor's home, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone.

Performances are at Burien Actors Theatre in Burien from Feb. 12 through March 6, 2015 on weekends. Rehearsals begin in early January.

The stage directors are Rochelle Flynn and Maggie Larrick, who have co-directed three productions together.

$100 stipend provided.

Auditions are Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. Callbacks are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 from noon to 4 p.m.

To audition, please prepare two short contrasting contemporary monologues (serious/comedy) totaling 3 minutes maximum. Bring resume and headshot.  Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script.
Please make audition appointment:  audition@burienactorstheatre.org, 206-242-5180. Auditions will be held at Burien Actors Theatre, 14501 Fourth Ave. S.W., Burien. For directions, go to www.burienactorstheatre.org.

Character Descriptions/Requirements
DR. GIVINGS – A man in his 40s, a specialist in gynecological and hysterical disorders. Erudite, decorous, refined, practical and rational man of sciences. 

CATHERINE GIVINGS – Dr. Givings’ wife, a woman in her late 20s. Impulsive, energetic, insatiably curious, loquacious, tempestuous, charming, big open heart, quick to react. Has a youthful innocence, romantic idealism and a desire for adventure. 

SABRINA DALDRY – A patient of Dr. Givings, in her 30s. Stoic, somber, depressive, upper middle class. Reserved, decorous, elegant. Likes to obey rules. Awakens into a bright, lively woman upon treatment.
ANNIE – Dr. Givings’ midwife assistant, a woman in her 30s. Stoic, serious, reliable, no-fuss. Learned, erudite, with a passionate mind for the arts and sciences.

LEO IRVING – A patient of Dr. Givings, an Englishman in his 20s or 30s. Aristocratic painter and artist, sensitive, deeply romantic. An impassioned, soulful free thinker. 

ELIZABETH – A wet-nurse by default to Dr. and Catherine Givings’ baby. An African-American woman in her 30s. A grieving mother, sensual, self-possessed, full of commen sense. Has the enviable quality of presence and effortless exquisiteness.

 MR. DALDRY – Sabrina Daldry’s huband, a man in his 40s or 50s. Gregarious, confident, boisterous, upper class. Generally good-humored but can be bullheaded. Sort of man who usually gets his way. Likes a good joke and a big meal. Slave to the status quo.