• Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA

Rehearsal Dates/Times:

• Planned but not confirmed: Mondays-Thursdays 6:30-9:30 pm, & Saturdays (Exact timeframe TBD), beginning late April 2026.

Performance Dates/Times:

• June 12 – 28, 2026. 
  • Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm curtain
  • Sundays 2pm curtain
  • Possible added 2pm performances Saturdays (6/20 & 6/27) 
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  • BE AWARE!: Tech and performance conflicts are not acceptable. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Auditions are Monday, January 26th from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Auditions are by appointment only.
• The Cottage is a comedy of manners meets door-slamming farce, gleefully turning both genres on their heads with a feminist twist. We are seeking actors who can deliver sparkling dialogue and inventive physical comedy with equal confidence. If you want to dazzle us with your elegance and sharp wit and prepare a comedic monologue in the vein of Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde– great! If you want to focus on physical comedy and devise a short piece of your own (i.e. you get your hand stuck inside a cocktail shaker while demonstrating how to serve a proper gin martini) —  great!Whatever type of piece you prepare, make sure it is 2 minutes or less, and please give us your best crack at a British RP dialect. Anything goes. Just have fun. Two minutes or less of British fun.
• Bring a hard copy of headshot and resume stapled together back to back.

Callbacks:

• Monday, February 2, 6p – 9pm (Callbacks by invitation only)

The Google Form includes a place for you to indicate whether or not you are available on this date and we often provide video callback options, when applicable.

Casting Details:

All roles are volunteer and non-AEA. Per diem offered to Adult Actors to offset expenses.

ROLE INFORMATION (ALL ROLES AVAILABLE):

BEAU (mid-20s – late 40s, male presenting)
“Perhaps the best-looking man in Britain”  Beau exudes charm, dry wit and the cool detachment of someone who believes that romance is for fairy tales.

Accent: British RP

SYLVIA (mid-20s – 40s, female presenting)
“A lovely, and rash romantic”. Sylvia longs for true love but is endlessly frustrated—and ever hopeful- for a life beyond the one she has. 

Accent: British RP

CLARKE (mid-20s – late 40s, male presenting)

“A distinguished gentleman with a lover’s spirit”. Clarke is an accommodating, winning chap who is just a touch oblivious.

 Accent: British RP

MARJORIE (mid-20s – 40s, female presenting)
‘Eight months pregnant, pragmatic, and a tad spicy”. Precise and perceptive, Marjorie is the queen of the wry aside remark.

Accent: British RP

DIERDRE (20s – 30s, female presenting)

“An awfully pretty, sometimes wise, nincompoop.” Young Dierdre surprises everyone with her moments of wisdom and insight.

Accent: British RP and Cockney/working-class

RICHARD (30s – 40s, male presenting)

“A murderous, yet gentle soul.” Richard is a jealous ex who comes in like a fighter and goes out like a lover.

Accent: British RP

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS (repeated):

• Follow Link HERE to complete the THE COTTAGE Auditions Google Form NOTE- This Google Form is REQUIRED FOR ALL AUDITIONING
• After you complete the Google form, complete the audition appointment process by following the link provided in your confirmation page (which appears once you complete the Google Form). That link will take you to a Sign Up Genius portal where you can select an appointment time. This is a critical step in the process!
• Video submissions (In-person auditions strongly preferred, video only if you are unable to attend in person or if sign ups are full): Please send a video audition following the same audition requirements listed below. All videos are due by 11:59pm on January 23rd. Videos can be submitted by submitting a viewable link (i.e. YouTube link) through the Auditions Google Form. NOTE: a headshot and resume are required for all audition sign ups. Make sure your video link is viewable, not set to private. Email questions to auditions@paplayers.org if you are having difficulty sharing a video link.

Casting Commitment:

As part of our commitment to become a more IDEAL community theatre (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Liberation), Palo Alto Players is looking for strong representation of BIPOC artists and artists of other underrepresented identities in our productions. We see diversity in casting and production staffing (colorful and identity-conscious) as the key to true equity. We are not looking to focus our storytelling on one cultural identity or another, but rather focus on telling a season of stories (old and new) with artists as diverse as our community. This means ensuring our audiences the opportunity to see people whom they identify with both on our stage and behind the scenes.