AUDITIONS

Murder Mystery Audtions

MURDER PROHIBITED AT HIWAN  

A Prohibition Era Murder Mystery at Hiwan Homestead by Stuart Collins  

This script has been specifically adapted for Evergreen PLayers and Hiwan Homestead and offers a unique theatrical experience where your actors will engage directly with audience members who become active participants in solving the crime.  

This is NOT a traditional stage play. It’s an immersive, interactive murder mystery where:  

Actors perform scripted scenes AND improvise responses to audience questions  The audience (30 guests) actively investigates the crime  

Guests are divided into groups and rotate through evidence rooms  

Actors must stay in character for interrogations lasting 60+ minutes  The experience is part theater, part escape room, part dinner party 

Performance Dates: Evenings April 17-18, 24-25 @ 7:30; matinees April 19 and 26 @ 2:00. 

Interested Actors should send resume and headshot to Kathleen Davis: [email protected] 

Actors will receive a $100 stipend.

CAST REQUIREMENTS 

Total Cast: 6 Actors 

VICTOR MORETTI (The Victim) 

Gender: Male 

Age Range: 45-60 years old 

Character Type: Former crime boss turned mountain resort owner. Charismatic, gregarious, with remnants of his tough mobster past. Think Tony Soprano meets a 1930s bootlegger. 

Performance Requirements: 

● Strong stage presence to command the room during opening 

● Ability to portray both charm and underlying danger 

● Physical: Must convincingly portray a heart attack/collapse 

● Comfortable in a wheelchair for “body” photo opportunities 

● Dies early (15 minutes in), then sits out the investigation period 

Costume: Three-piece suit, fedora, pocket watch—classic 1930s mobster aesthetic 

Time Commitment: First 20 minutes of show, then available for “death scene” photos 

DETECTIVE IVA GUNN 

Gender: Female 

Age Range: 35-55 years old 

Character Type: Sharp, witty private investigator. Former WWI nurse. No-nonsense but with dry humor. Think Jessica Fletcher meets Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple with a tough PI edge. 

Performance Requirements: 

● LARGEST ROLE—appears in all scenes and leads the investigation ● Must memorize substantial dialogue and coordinate scene flow 

● Strong improvisational skills for audience Q&A 

● Ability to maintain authority and control the room 

● Must understand ALL evidence and the complete solution ● Comfortable moving between rooms to guide the investigation ● Strong vocal projection—must be heard in large spaces 

Costume: 1930s women’s suit or trousers, trench coat, fedora, always carries a notebook 

Time Commitment: Entire 90-minute production 

RUBY LARUE 

Gender: Female 

Age Range: 25-40 years old 

Character Type: Sultry jazz singer—glamorous, confident, professional. Mae West meets Jessica Rabbit. Beautiful and knows it, but not vapid—she’s smart and business-savvy. 

Performance Requirements: 

MUST BE ABLE TO SING! This is non-negotiable—Ruby performs 2-3 jazz standards 

● Vocal ability for 1920s/30s jazz standards (suggested: “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Let’s Do It,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street”) 

● Comfortable performing with microphone/sound system 

● Strong stage presence—must captivate the room 

● Ability to portray glamour and confidence 

● Good improvisational skills for guest interrogations 

● Emotional range: confident → angry (contract deception) → horrified (final reveal) 

Costume: Stunning 1920s/30s evening gown, feather boa, long gloves, glamorous headband, period-appropriate jewelry 

Time Commitment: Entire 90-minute production (performs, then stationed in Study for investigations) 

Note: This role requires someone comfortable being “on display” as guests will be watching/photographing during performance 

BETTY MORETTI (The Killer) 

Gender: Female 

Age Range: 40-55 years old 

Character Type: Victor’s wife—brash, materialistic, sharp-tongued. Think Fran Drescher in “The Nanny” but with a murderous edge. Outwardly grieving widow, secretly calculating killer. 

Performance Requirements: 

● MOST COMPLEX ROLE—must play dual nature (grieving widow vs. cold killer) 

● Excellent improvisational skills—guests will grill her heavily ● Ability to drop subtle “tells” without being too obvious 

● Strong emotional control—grief, defensiveness, jealousy, then confession ● Comfortable with confrontational scenes 

● Must understand ALL evidence and how it implicates her 

● Big dramatic moment at the end—the confession scene 

Costume: 1930s day dress or suit, pearls, cloche hat, fur stole, handkerchief (for

“crying”) 

Time Commitment: Entire 90-minute production (stationed in Kitchen during investigations) 

Note: This actor must be comfortable being the “villain”—some audience members may be hostile toward the character 

MICKEY STUBBS 

Gender: Male 

Age Range: 20-30 years old (early 20s preferred) 

Character Type: Affable young bartender. Friendly, earnest, puppy-dog quality. The “nice guy” with a hopeless crush on Ruby. Think of a 1930s version of a lovable sitcom character. 

Performance Requirements: 

● Natural likability—audience should find him endearing 

● Ability to portray earnestness and vulnerability 

● Physical comedy potential (nervous around Ruby, eager to please) ● Good improvisational skills for interrogations 

● Comfortable with “bartender” business (mixing drinks, serving) ● Should appear genuinely hurt/confused when accused 

Costume: White shirt, suspenders, bow tie, vest, bartender apron, rolled-up sleeves 

Time Commitment: Entire 90-minute production (tends bar, then stationed in Study with Ruby) 

Note: This is the most sympathetic male role—needs someone who can play “sweet kid” convincingly 

SALVATORE MARCONI JR. 

Gender: Male 

Age Range: 20-30 years old (early-to-mid 20s preferred) 

Character Type: Young hothead mobster trying to fill his father’s shoes. Brash, impulsive, insecure underneath the bravado. Think Joe Pesci in “Goodfellas” but younger and less experienced. 

Performance Requirements: 

● DRAMATIC ENTRANCE—must burst in convincingly angry mid-performance ● High energy, aggressive physicality (without being threatening to guests) ● Ability to show vulnerability beneath tough-guy exterior 

● Emotional arc: angry → defensive → realization → humiliated ● Good improvisational skills—must defend himself during interrogations ● Comfortable with confrontational dialogue 

Costume: Pinstripe suit, fedora, white tie, possible spats—young gangster look Time Commitment: Entire 90-minute production (dramatic entrance, then stationed in Chapel) 

Note: This actor needs strong energy to make the interruption scene work—it’s a pivotal moment

The Evergreen Players is committed to sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable space. One where every patron, artist, employee, volunteer, vendor, and student, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all areas of our organization. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and seek to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

Please check back for audition information.