Upcoming Auditions

Unless otherwise stated auditions are held at

Arena Dinner Theatre

719 Rockhill St - Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Please use the Stage Door located off the alley between Main Street and Berry.

All actors of any experience level or ethnicity are welcome to audition

Arena Dinner Theatre presents

Agatha Christie's

Murder on the Orient Express

Adapted by Ken Ludwig

Director Chance Parker is looking for a cast of five women and six men

Auditions will be on Sunday, August 27, and Monday, August 28 at 7 pm

Show Summary: Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

A note on accents: Regional accents are integral to the story. For auditions, be prepared to attempt the accent of the character for which you are auditioning. We will polish and define individual accents in rehearsal.

Characters include:

Hercule Poirot: Male, 45-65, All Ethnicities, Speaks with a Belgian/French accent - A famous Belgian detective; fastidious, focused, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well deserved reputation.
Monsieur Bouc: Male, 30-59, All Ethnicities - A Belgian man of good humor; playful, proud, gregarious; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy.
Mary Debenham: Female, 30-40, All Ethnicities - An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person.
Hector MacQueen: Male, 30-40, All Ethnicities, American (can speak with a slight New York accent) - Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound.
Michel the Conductor/Head Waiter: Male, 30-40, All Ethnicities - One actor will play two roles: Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, about 35, a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; unfailingly polite; Head Waiter: Ernest, chatty, sure of himself.
Princess Dragomiroff: Female, 60-79, All Ethnicities - An exiled Russian dowager; very formal, a proud relic of a bygone era, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, a keen observer, impatient.
Greta Ohlsson: Female, 25-60, All Ethnicities - Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent.
Countess Andrenyi: Female, 25-39, All Ethnicities - Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower; Hungarian accent.
Helen Hubbard: Female, 40-65, All Ethnicities - An outspoken and flamboyant American from the Midwest; jovial, obnoxious, domineering, deliciously nosy and brash; unapologetic; much smarter than she lets on; needs excellent comedic timing and a keen awareness of subtext.
Samuel Ratchett: Male, 35-59 , All Ethnicities - Middle-aged American businessman from somewhere from New York to Boston. Evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, domineering.
Colonel Arbuthnot: Male, 35-59 Scotsman (Standard British also acceptable) also handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; prone to outbursts.

Rehearsals will begin the week of September 6 and will typically be Monday-Friday 7 pm-10 pm. Some Sunday rehearsals might be called.

Performances are scheduled for October 26 & November 2 at 7:30 pm, October 27, 28 November 3, 4, 10, & 11 at 8 pm, and November 5 at 2 pm

Arena Dinner Theatre presents

One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall

By Lynne Halliday, James Hindman, Arlene Hutton and Craig Pospisil

Director Gary Lanier is looking for a cast of three women and three men ranging in age from late teens, early 20s to late 40's.

Auditions will be on Sunday, October 15, and Monday, October 16 at 7 pm

Show Summary: One Christmas Eve At Evergreen Mall follows eight intertwined stories in a Midwestern mall on the last day of shopping before the holiday. A diverse cast of characters—from a lovesick mall Santa to an overeager mall cop, from a pair of brainy misfit teenagers to a pair of battling actors in a production of A Christmas Carol, from a petulant college freshman to a pair of newlyweds—navigate first meetings, second chances, and last-minute choices. One Christmas Eve At Evergreen Mall wraps the joys and sorrows of the season into one festive package.

Rehearsals will begin the week of October 23 and will typically be Monday-Friday 7 pm-10 pm. Some Sunday rehearsals might be called.

Performances are scheduled November 30 & December 7 at 7:30 pm, December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, & 16 at 8 pm, and December 10 & 17 at 2 pm

More Details to Come!

Arena Dinner Theatre Presents

Funny Money

by Ray Cooney

Director David Belew is looking for a cast of two women and six men

Auditions are Sunday, January 14 and Monday, January 15 at 7 pm

Show Summary: Henry A. Perkins, a mild-mannered C.P.A, accidently picks up the wrong briefcase one full of money. Henry assumes it is illicit cash and he decides to keep it. Knowing that the former owner must have his briefcase, he rushes home to book one-way fares to Barcelona. He tells his confused wife to leave everything behind; if she doesn't like Barcelona, they can go to Bali. In fact, they can buy Bali! The doorbell rings as they wait for their taxi. The police detective at the door thinks Henry was soliciting in the men's room of the local pub actually, he was sitting in the loo counting the cash. The bell rings again. Another detective arrives thinking Henry is dead; a man with bullet holes in his head and Henry's briefcase were found in the Thames. Henry's inept attempts to extricate himself from this impossible situation lead to increasingly hysterical situations.

Characters include:

JEAN PERKINS - a pretty but ordinary woman in her late forties.
HENRY PERKINS - an insignificant man in his early fifties.
BILL - a middle-aged London taxi driver of spirit.
DAVENPORT - a sparse middle-aged man with a knowing glint in his eye.
BETTY JOHNSON - a buxom and cheerful woman in her late forties.
VIC JOHNSON - a brash man with feet of clay.
SLATER - a solicitous and kindly soul -- until provoked.
A PASSER-BY - a large man.

Rehearsals will begin the week of January 22 and will typically be Monday-Friday 7 pm-10 pm. Some Sunday rehearsals might be called.

Performances are scheduled for February 28 and March 7 at 7:30 pm, March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, & 16 at 8 pm, and March 10 at 2 pm

Arena Dinner Theatre Presents

A Delightful Quarantine

by Mark Dunn

Director Gloria Minnich is looking for a cast of twelve women and five men

Auditions are Sunday, March 3, and Monday, March 4 at 7 pm

Show Summary: An extra-terrestrial "invasion" of the suburban, middle-class community of Susqua Creek Acres, Pennsylvania places its human residents and visitors under sudden house-bound quarantine. Secrets get revealed, conflicts erupt and recede, long festering wounds are dressed, and friendships and relationships are terminated or reinstated.

Characters include:

PROFESSOR LUCY FULLER - the narrator
BARBARA MIDDLEBROOK - age 50
PAULA MIDDLEBROOK-CLOBB - her daughter, age 32
KITTY CIVETTE - Paula's twin sister age 32
JUDEEN DEMPSEY - age 48
CHESTER BANDERHORN - age 49
BETHANY ROBBINS - age 38
CLARK WIGGLIN - age 38
SHIRLEY WIGGLIN - age 38
ROY ROBBINS - age 38
DIANDRA ROBBINS - age 11
JENNIFER WIGGLIN - age 11
SUE STADLER - age 28
DEAN STADLER - age 26
VIOLET BASSEY - age 70
MAVIS JEMCO - age 71
TUG GOFF - age 20
THE HAZ MAT SQUAD - all hooded and anonymous

Rehearsals will begin the week of January 22 and will typically be Monday-Friday 7 pm-10 pm. Some Sunday rehearsals might be called.

Performances are scheduled for April 18 & 25 at 7:30 pm, April 19, 20, 26, 27, May 3, & 4 at 8 pm, and April 28 at 2 pm

Arena Dinner Theatre Presents

The Drowsy Chaperone

Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison

Book by Bob Martin & Don McKellar

Director Reuben Albaugh is looking for a cast of seven women and twelve men

Auditions are Sunday, April 21, and Monday, April 22 at 7 pm

Show Summary: With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight.

Characters include:

Man in the Chair - (40’s to 60’s) A quirky and eccentric person who lives very much in his own world. He breaks the 4th wall with the audience. With humor and his own wry observations, he illuminates the audience during his imaginary staging of “The Drowsy Chaperone” in his apartment, while the cast album record plays.
Janet Van de Graaff - (30s) Star of Feldzieg’s Follies who is conflicted about giving up her life on the stage to marry Robert Martin. An attractive, vivacious, and outgoing personality who loves being the center of attention. She is the newest up-and-coming big Broadway star in 1928. Strong dance skills are needed. Vocal range: Alto with big belt (G3-E5)
Robert Martin - (30-40’s) The groom-to-be who is madly and deeply in love with Janet. He is the typical rich debonair & dashing 1920s leading man who spends more than half the show trying to get Janet back. He is heartfelt and deeply sincere. Must be able to tap dance and roller skate and make Janet’s heart melt when he sings to her. Vocal range: Tenor (C3 – Ab4)
The Drowsy Chaperone - (40s-50s) Janet’s alcoholic confidante who is always thinking about her next martini. An experienced “woman of the world” who couldn’t care less what the world thinks. A diva to be reckoned with who will chew the scenery whenever possible. She is a combination of all the great vocal divas like Judy Garland & Ethel Merman. Vocal range: Alto with strong belt (F3-D5)
Aldolpho - (40 - 50’s) Latin Lothario. A womanizing cad with a huge ego and is resting on his laurels as a former matinee idol ala Rudolph Valentino. He is confident in his abilities as a master thespian schooled in the big style of ACTING! Vocal range: Bass/Baritone + great falsetto (A#2-G4)
Mrs. Tottendale - (45-60) A wealthy widow and host of the wedding. She is flighty, eccentric, funny, often forgetful, and oblivious to the confusion she causes. Georgia Engel is the modern version who played it on Broadway in her signature style of Georgette as in the Mary Tyler Moore show. Vocal range: Alto character voice (G3-Db5)
Underling - (50s-60’s) Mrs. Tottendale’s unflappable British butler and manservant. He is stoic, dry-humored, and very sarcastic. The ability to throw away a line is a must! He and Mrs. Tottendale end up together. A little tap dancing talent is a plus and the ability to tolerate many spit takes. Tenor character voice (Ab2-G4)
Mr. Feldzieg - (40s-60s) The harried producer who will do anything to stop the wedding in order to keep Janet in the Follies. He is nervous, sarcastic, impatient, overbearing, and insensitive. Vocal range: Baritone (Db3-Db4)
Kitty- (30s) The 1920s the dumb blonde chorine who is not so dumb. She is Mr. Feldzieg’s longtime girlfriend and longs to be a leading lady but maybe isn’t talented enough. A cross between Norma Cassady from “Victor Victoria” (see Leslie Anne Warren) and Lena Lamont from “Singing in the Rain.” Vocal range: Soprano comedic belt (Bb3-F5)
George - (30s-40s) Robert’s anxious best friend and best man. He is loyal, sincere, nervous, and not the smartest tool in the shed. Makes looking out for Robert’s interests his top priority so that the wedding will come off without a hitch. Must be able to tap. Vocal range: Tenor (F3-Bb4)
Gangsters 1 & 2 - (30s-50s) Two somewhat threatening and jovial gangsters who are posing as pastry chefs. Typical 1920s Broadway gangsters full of "wordplay and stylized vaudeville movements." Good comic timing and dancing skills are required. Vocal range: Tenor (Db3-Gb4)
Trix the Aviatrix - (35-50) The brave and brash female aviator. She is very sassy and a take-charge kind of gal. Trix must be able to command the stage with her voice and presence. Vocal range: Alto (Ab3-Eb5)
Ensemble - (20s-50s) A strong, dancing/singing ensemble consisting of two women and two men who play maids, butlers, reporters, monkeys….etc. Lots of fun acting challenges with multiple characters. Vocal range women and men: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass

Rehearsals will begin the week of April 29 and will typically be Monday-Friday 7 pm-10 pm. Some Sunday rehearsals might be called.

Performances are scheduled for June 13 & 20 at 7:30 pm, June 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29 at 8 pm, and June 23 at 2 pm