Deathtrap

By Ira Levin

Directed by Brandon Raghu

General Audition Information

When: Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20, 6:00–9:00 PM

Where: The River Room at the Phipps Center for the Arts (109 Locust St., Hudson, WI 54016)

Who: This audition is open to performers ages 18 and up.

Audition Details

Actors will audition individually in 5-minute slots and will be asked to prepare 2 short contrasting monologues (1 comedic, 1 dramatic).

Actors must fill out the audition form here: Deathtrap Audition Form

Callbacks will be held on Thursday, January 22, from 6:00–9:00 PM in the River Room at the Phipps. Should actors be called back, materials will be provided for them.

If you are interested in auditioning and cannot attend the scheduled audition dates, please feel free to contact us.

What to Bring

If you haven't submitted your audition form prior to the audition, please bring a resume and headshot.

About the Show

This brilliantly crafted thriller follows a once-successful playwright desperate to reclaim his fame, who discovers the perfect play — written by someone else. What unfolds is a devilishly clever game of deceit, manipulation, and murder that will keep you guessing until the very end. Filled with razor-sharp wit and shocking surprises, Deathtrap is a must-see theatrical masterpiece that will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Character Breakdown

SIDNEY BRUHL

Age Range: 45–65
Gender: Male
Description:
A once-famous Broadway playwright now desperate for another hit. Brilliant, egotistical, charming, and dangerously manipulative. Sidney thrives on wit and intellectual superiority, masking a deep insecurity and ruthless ambition. Requires strong command of language, timing, and psychological complexity.

MYRA BRUHL

Age Range: 40–65
Gender: Female
Description:
Sidney’s devoted but fragile wife. Warm, anxious, and emotionally sensitive, Myra suffers from a heart condition that makes her vulnerable to stress. She is sincere and loving, though often overshadowed by Sidney’s ego. The actor must balance genuine tenderness with comic irony.

CLIFFORD ANDERSON

Age Range: 20–35
Gender: Male
Description:
A former student of Sidney’s and the author of a brilliant, prize-winning script. Intelligent, ambitious, and outwardly earnest, Clifford’s charm and innocence may conceal darker intentions. Requires charisma, physicality, and the ability to play layered psychological shifts.

HELGA TEN DORP

Age Range: Flexible
Gender: Female
Description:
A flamboyant Dutch psychic with a bold personality and a questionable accent. Helga provides much of the play’s comic relief while also serving as an unexpected truth-teller. Larger-than-life, fearless, and delightfully absurd.

PORTER MILGRAM

Age Range: 40–65
Gender: Male
Description:
Sidney’s lawyer. Calm, pragmatic, and morally grounded, Porter serves as a foil to the chaos surrounding him. He is intelligent and measured, with a dry wit.

Intimacy Notice

This Company has a qualified intimacy director ("ID") to work with the cast. The actors will work with the ID to play within the actors' boundaries.

Sidney: Multiple kisses and embraces with Myra, intimacy with Clifford

Myra: Multiple kisses and embraces with Sidney

Clifford: Intimacy with Sidney

The actors playing Sidney and Clifford will perform significant stage combat in two scenes, under the direction of a qualified fight director.

No simulated intimate acts will be required in auditions or callbacks.

Scheduling Information

Rehearsals: Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, February 3rd. All weekday rehearsals are in the evening. All tech rehearsals and performances are required for all cast members. Actors will be provided with a detailed rehearsal schedule after the casting process is complete and all conflicts have been accounted for.

Tech Week Begins: Saturday, April 4, 1:00-8:00pm

Dress Rehearsals: Sunday, April 5, 12:00-5:00pm

Monday, April 6, 6:00-10:00pm

Tuesday, April 7, 6:00-10:00pm

Wednesday, April 8, 6:00-10:00pm

Final Invited Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, April 9, 7:00pm

Performances: Fri, April 10 @ 7:00pm
Sat, April 11 @ 7:00pm
Sun, April 12 @ 2:00pm

Fri, April 17 @ 7:00pm
Sat, April 18 @ 2:00pm
Sun, April 19 @ 2:00pm

Fri, April 24 @ 7:00pm
Sat, April 25 @ 7:00pm
Sun, April 26 @ 2:00pm