Audition Announcement: “The Mousetrap” August 4-5
By Agatha Christie
Directed by Eleanore Tapscott
Sign Up to Audition
Providence Players is casting 8 roles (3 female, 5 male). No roles are precast, and all roles are open. All backgrounds, ages, ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition!
Providence Players of Fairfax is:
- A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
- A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax ($25 per individual or $60 per family – three or more) for the season (if not already a member).
Audition Dates
- 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 4, 2025
- 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2025
PLEASE RSVP! Complete the Mousetrap Audition Form to let us know you’re coming.
If you are unable to fill out the online form, please email info@providenceplayers.org to RSVP and fill out and print this paper form and bring it with you to the audition.
Resumes and headshots will be accepted but are not required. We may ask to take a picture of you, but this is for internal use only and will not be shared.
Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered. The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response. Callbacks (by invitation only) will be held on August 6.
Audition Location
James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Rd
Falls Church, VA 22042
Auditions will be held in the Theater.
Audition Process & Sides
Most PPF auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene. We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading with different he/she combinations. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and a bit of fun with some nursery rhymes. Audition sides and nursery rhymes can be found here.
British dialect will be used (a dialect coach will be available during the rehearsal process) with the exception of Paravacini, who may sound Italian or French.
Cast of Characters
Note: age refers to stage/character age. Actors in real life can be older or younger in reality but need to believably pass for the age of the character.
- MOLLIE RALSTON (Female presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) The pleasant young owner of Monkswell Manor; anxious about hosting the inn’s first guests; married to Giles for one year. She has “an ingenuous air,” which is to say she comes off as innocent and often unsuspecting.
- GILES RALSTON (Male presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) Owns Monkswell Manor with his wife Mollie, whom he loves; somewhat arrogant and jealous of the other guests’ attentions toward Mollie. His arrogance covers his overprotectiveness of his wife.
- CHRISTOPHER WREN (Male presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) The first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man who acts in a very peculiar manner. Wren claims to have been named after the architect of the same name by his parents. A bit flighty and somewhat neurotic. He is both quirky and vulnerable. And a little mysterious.
- MRS. BOYLE (Female presenting; Age 40s+.) Mrs. Boyle is an imposing woman in a bad temper; she complains about everything. She is disapproving of every effort that Mollie and Giles produce to make her comfortable. She is retired, ancient, grumpy, unpleasant. If there’s a kind bone in her body, she hides it well.
- MAJOR METCALF (Male presenting; Age 50s+.) Major Metcalf is a middle-aged, typical, retired, square-shouldered, British military officer. He is friendly and very polite, and serves as a good counter to Mrs. Boyle.
- MISS CASEWELL (Female presenting; Age late 20s to 30s.) An edgy, aloof, somewhat tomboyish woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood. She keeps her cards close to the vest and remains aloof… and a little mysterious.
- MR. PARAVICINI (Male presenting; Age 40s+.) A man of unknown origin and age who turns up claiming his car has overturned in a snowdrift. He is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma… with an indeterminate accent. He’s also a little mysterious.
- SGT. TROTTER (Male presenting; Age late 20s to early 40s.) Detective Sergeant Trotter is a cheerful, common-place person who arrives at the guest house on skis to investigate a local murder. Determined to get to the bottom of things, who is dogged in his pursuit of the truth.
About the Play
Performance Dates and Times
Preview: Thursday, October 9, 2025; 7:00 PM
Evening Performances: Thurs., Fri. & Sat., October 10-25, 2025; 7:30 PM
Matinees: Sundays, October 12 & 19, 2025; 2:00 PM
Synopsis
Amidst a fierce snowstorm, Monkswell Manor becomes an unlikely refuge for a group of strangers, each seeking shelter from the blizzard—and from a recent murder in town. As the storm rages on, it becomes clear that the killer is among them. Paranoia sets in, and suspicion clouds every interaction. Enter a sharp-witted police detective, who arrives on skis and begins questioning the house’s inhabitants: a pair of newlyweds managing the estate; a reclusive spinster with a mysterious past; an architect who seems better suited to a kitchen than a drafting table; a retired Army major with a sharp tongue; a peculiar man whose car has “overturned” in the snow; and a grumpy jurist who ruffles everyone’s feathers. When a second murder shocks the manor, tensions reach a boiling point. With danger looming, can the detective uncover the murderer before another victim is claimed?
From the Director
Rehearsals
Download a copy of the Mousetrap Theater Access Calendar for this show. This is NOT the specific rehearsal schedule (which will be supplied by the Stage Manager), but it will give you an idea for the commitment you are making in terms of rehearsals and performances, and how to identify conflicts.
Stage rehearsals begin September 9, 2025. In addition to the stage rehearsal schedule, cast readings of the play and some selected scene study and character work may be scheduled based on actor availability prior to the stage schedule. The schedule for these rehearsals will be finalized soon after casting. Unless indicated otherwise, all rehearsals will happen at the James Lee Community Center. Rehearsals will be held in the evenings from roughly 6:30/6:45 to 9:45 pm usually two to three weeknights and Saturday afternoons. There will likely be more rehearsal dates the closer it gets to opening.
Please come to auditions prepared to list any availability conflicts with rehearsal or the performance schedule. Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.
About the Director
Eleanore Tapscott (Director) is a classically trained actress and director who has worked with various metro-DC theatres. Previous productions include Playing Juliet/Casting Othello for Providence Players, Radio Golf for Peace Mountain Theatre, The Nacirema Society…, The Fantasticks and Fences for Little Theatre of Alexandria, The Bluest Eye for Dominion Stage, and Alabama Story (Ruby Griffith Award for All Around Production Excellence) and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark for Colonial Players, Leading Ladies for Vienna Theatre Company, Bus Stop and The Count of Monte Cristo for ACCT.
We look forward to seeing you at Auditions! RSVP at this link!
Andra Whitt stars as Elena Carson, a woman whose life takes an unexpected turn after being snowed in overnight at a Midwestern airport. Elena’s reunion with a former lover sets the stage for a night filled with laughter, reflection, and the rekindling of old emotions. Andra, a familiar face on the Providence Players stage, has captivated audiences in productions such as Silent Sky, Side Man, Other Desert Cities, You Can’t Take It With You, and Rumors. Her depth and authenticity in portraying complex characters promise to make Elena’s journey of rediscovery one you won’t want to miss.
Rob Gorman makes his debut with the Providence Players as Reed McAllister, a man whose predictable life is thrown into turmoil by this surprising encounter with Elena. As Reed grapples with his past and present, Rob will bring an irresistible mix of vulnerability and charm to the role, making this reunion one you’ll want to see unfold. We can’t wait for you to experience Rob’s rich emotional range and captivating stage presence.
John Coscia is a founding member and past board member of PPF. He has appeared on this stage many times over the past 20 years and has been nominated for, and won, many WATCH awards for his acting, directing, set designs and set construction. John directed the PPF 2014 production of Of Mice and Men.
Providence Players is excited to announce the cast for our upcoming production of 2 Across by Jerry Mayer, an eighty-minute ride filled with hilarious, witty, and romantic banter.
Providence Players is excited to announce the cast for our upcoming production of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, a tender and timeless story told through the lifelong exchange of letters between two friends, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III.
Jayne L. Victor will take on the role of Melissa Gardner. Jayne is no stranger to Providence Players, having delivered memorable performances as Violet Weston in August: Osage County and Sonia in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She has also directed many of our favorite productions, including Moon Over Buffalo and The Glass Mendacity. With her extensive experience, Jayne brings incredible depth to the complex and passionate Melissa.
Opposite her is Michael Donahue as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Michael has been a vital member of the Providence Players family since 2009, both as an actor and director. His recent directorial highlights include August: Osage County, Calendar Girls, and House of Blue Leaves. With his nuanced approach to storytelling, Michael will bring out Andrew’s heartfelt vulnerability and humor in this emotionally rich role.
