Auditions

We are committed to building diversity and inclusion onstage and throughout our organization. Actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are highly encouraged to audition. 

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HARVEY
By Mary Chase
Directed by Pamela Amodio

AUDITIONS: Thurs, March 19 & Friday, March 20 at 7pm; Saturday, March 21 at 10am (sign-up required) 
PERFORMANCE DATES: May 1-17 2026 (Thurs-Sat at 7:30pm, Sun at 2pm)
REHEARSALS: Begin March 22 and typically run 2-3 weeknights (TBD) and Sunday afternoons. All cast members may not be required at every rehearsal.
LOCATION: Almira Stephan Memorial Playhouse, 59 West Main St., Meriden

ABOUT THE SHOW:  When Elwood P. Dowd starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six-and-a-half-foot rabbit, to guests at a society party, his sister, Veta, has seen as much of his eccentric behavior as she can tolerate. She decides to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare her daughter, Myrtle Mae, and their family from future embarrassment. Problems arise, however, when Veta herself is mistakenly assumed to be on the verge of lunacy when she explains to doctors that years of living with Elwood’s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also! The doctors commit Veta instead of Elwood and his invisible companion. When he shows up at the sanitarium looking for his lost friend Harvey, it seems that the mild-mannered Elwood’s delusion has had a strange influence on more than one of the doctors. Only at the end does Veta realize that maybe Harvey isn’t so bad after all.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
• Click HERE to sign up for an audition.
• Please arrive promptly at the start time of your chosen date (7pm for 3/19 & 3/20; 10am for 3/21).
• Be prepared to read from the script.
• Please print/complete our AUDITION FORM, and bring it with you, along with a headshot & resume.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Elwood P. Dowd – (Character is male, age 35-55)is the central character of the play, a charming eccentric who’s best friend is Harvey, an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit. Elwood is well mannered, very friendly, and has “old-school gentleman charm”. Elwood is Veta’s older brother but the age difference needn’t be dramatic.

Veta Louise Simmons – (Character is female, age 35-55) Elwood’s younger sister, Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is intent on landing a suitable husband for her daughter Myrtle Mae. She is very concerned about fitting into society and all the social proprieties that that involves. She also loves her older brother Elwood very much. This is the dynamic that drives the action of the play.

Myrtle May Simmons – (Character is female, age 18-30) Veta’s Daughter (Elwood’s Niece). Both Veta and Myrtle are about the business of finding Myrtle a man to marry-a mission that is made impossible with Elwood and Harvey constantly popping in. Myrtle is extremely self-centered.

Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet – (Character is female, age 50-80) An old friend of the family. She is an elite member of the town’s social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into. 

Ruth Kelly – (Character is female, age 18-35) A sympathetic character, a pretty young woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. She is sweet and kind and looks for the best in people.

Duane Wilson – (Character is male, age 20-50) a devoted orderly responsible for handling the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily. He sets his sites on Myrtle Mae Simmons soon after meeting her.

Dr. Lyman Sanderson – (Character is male, age 20-35) Dr. Chumley’s associate doctor at the sanitarium. A young and highly qualified psychiatrist, his talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly as she is with him, though he struggles not to let on. 

Dr. William R. Chumley – (Character is male, age 50-80) The Chief Doctor at the sanitarium. He is a difficult, exacting man who will go to any length to protect the reputation of his institution.

Betty Chumley – (Character is female, age 50-80) Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife.

Judge Omar Gaffney – (Character is male, age 40-80) the family attorney. He tries to maintain “order” but can’t .  He is fiercely protective of the family and surprisingly understanding of Elwood’s belief in Harvey.

E. J. Lofgren – (Gender neutral role, any age) a cab driver whose monologue about sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. This role has a single scene near the very end and would have a limited rehearsal schedule.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to EMAIL US.