Hyperion Players to hold auditions for “The 39 Steps”

Submitted

The 39 Steps is Hyperion Players’ third show of its third season, and auditions arrive next month.

Show synopsis

Life seems rather dull for Richard Hannay until an unassuming night at the theatre tangles him in an espionage plot. With spies around every corner, time is running out for our hero to solve the mystery of the 39 Steps, save his skin, and get the girl.

Adapted from John Buchan’s classic novel and Hitchcock’s hit 1935 spy thriller film, with daring adventure, over 150 characters, and a dash of Monty Python farce, Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps is everything a spy noir should be.

Audition information

• Dates: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11
• Location: Preservation Hall, 1274 Logan St., Noblesville
• Preparation: Auditions will consist of side reading and theatre games. This is a fast-paced, physical show. Please come dressed accordingly and be prepared to move your body. Actors with any conflicts during tech week will not be considered. Please bring known conflicts to auditions. Rehearsals are generally Monday to Thursday beginning Jan. 20.

Performance dates & location

March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2025. All shows will be performed at The Switch Theatre in Fishers. Rehearsals will be held in Indianapolis.

Roles

Director Evangeline Bouw is seeking four players to fill the following roles. Age and pronoun indications are for character portrayal notes only – actors outside the noted age ranges or character pronouns are encouraged to audition and will be considered:

• Richard Hannay – 20s-50s, he/him, any race/ethnicity. The Hitchcock thriller leading man, a suave, and dashing. An adrift everyman, who finds his inner reserves of determination and strength to push through the adventures forced upon him. Performer must have strong physical comedy skills. English accent.
• Annabella Schmidt / Pamela / Margaret – 20s-50s, she/her, any race/ethnicity. This performer takes the three Leading Lady roles. Performer must have strong physical comedy skills and create three distinct characters:

(1) Annabella – The dangerous and in danger femme fatale, a mysterious spy who brings Hannay into the conspiracy. German accent.

(2) Pamela – The Hitchcock leading lady, she is principled, brilliant, and resourceful. English accent.

(3) Margaret – The ingenue, she is a Scottish woman stuck in a loveless marriage who helps Hannay out of a tight spot in hopes of seeing broader horizons. Scottish accent.

• Clown 1 and Clown 2 – Any age, any gender, any race/ethnicity. The Clowns create the world transforming into heroes, villains, men, women, children, and occasionally inanimate objects. Covering over a dozen roles each, performers must have versatility to create distinct characters and strong physical comedy skills. English, Cockney, Scottish, German accents/dialects. Additional European accents are a plus.

For more information, go to hyperionplayers.com/auditions.