Winter Play

  • ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
    By Joseph Kesselring


    Direction by Adam Sherman and Technical Direction by Denise Karczewski

    Performance Dates:
    Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 7:00pm
    Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7:00pm
    Friday, December 5, 2025 at 4:30pm

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    AUDITION INFORMATION 

     

    All students at New Trier are welcome to audition! You’ll be signing up for a 30 minute timeslot. You must also bring a SIGNED CONFLICT CONSENT FORM to the audition in order to be cast. Please review the WINTER PLAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE to complete your conflict form.

     

    New Trier welcomes the participation of all individuals in our programs, including those with disabilities. If you have an IEP or 504 plan with reasonable accommodations that pertain to this activity, please indicate your request on the audition form. Please indicate your IEP case manager or adviser (504 plan) so we can coordinate any supports deemed necessary.


    General Auditions

    • SOPHOMORES/JUNIORS: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 3:30-7pm in Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus
      • These auditions are for Sophomores and Juniors, as well as Freshmen not auditioning for Wonka. The 6-7p timeslots need to be for R&J crew and Sophomores in R&J cast
    • FRESHMEN/SENIORS: Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 3:45-7pm in Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus
      • These are for Seniors, as well as Freshmen auditioning for Wonka. The 6-7p timeslots need to be for R&J crew and Freshmen in R&J cast

    CALLBACKS

    • Tuesday, September 30, 2025 from 3:30-7p in Cornog Auditorium, Northfield Campus


    HOW DO I AUDITION?      

    1. Complete the Parent/Guardian Consent/Conflict Form
    2. Complete the AUDITION FORM.
    3. Read How to Audition for a New Trier Production from the Performing Arts webpage and the information in this packet carefully.  
    4. Prepare a monologue from THIS DOCUMENT.
    5. See the “What about the monologue” section for additional information. Please follow the specific directions at the top of the monologue page.
    6. Please come to the audition about 15 minutes before your appointment. We will check you in, and you will present your monologue for the director. 


    WHEN ARE REHEARSALS?     

    Students who accept a role in Arsenic & Old Lace commit to our posted WINTER PLAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE. Rehearsals begin October 13, 2025. Cast members should plan to be at rehearsals from 

    3:45 - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 9 AM - 4 PM.

     

    Starting on Monday, November 17, weekday rehearsals extend to 8 PM through opening night. Students will also be assigned a date to strike the set after school during the week of December 1.

     

    WHAT IS THE PLAY ABOUT?

    The story follows the eccentric Brewster family, where sweet elderly aunts Abby and Martha have developed a rather unusual hobby: serving their lonely gentlemen callers homemade elderberry wine…with a dash of arsenic. Their well-meaning nephew Mortimer stumbles upon the truth just as he’s trying to propose to his fiancée, and chaos erupts when his criminally insane brother returns home with a sinister new look. Packed with witty dialogue, outrageous twists, and delightfully macabre humor, Arsenic and Old Lace remains one of the most beloved comedies in American theatre.

     

    WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE AUDITIONS?  

    Please wear clothes that you can move in and that make you look and feel good. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Do not wear costumes. Be prepared to move. In this show, students will wear character shoes or hard-soled dress shoes. Always avoid jeans, Uggs, flip-flops, or any shoes that make it difficult for you to move.

    WHEN DOES THE CALLBACK LIST GO UP?

    The callback list will be emailed by Friday, September 26.

    Callbacks will be held on Tuesday, September 30 in the McGee Theatre at the Winnetka Campus.

    WHEN DOES THE CAST LIST GO UP?

    We will email you when we know when the cast list is ready. 

     

    PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING

    Thursday, October 16 @ 6PM

     

    CREW APPRENTICESHIP

    All performers are required to fulfill the Crew Apprenticeship Program within one year after being cast in their first production. Students who are currently enrolled in Theatre 1 and Technical Theatre and Design or completed a full year of either course in the 2022-23 school year fulfilled their CAP in class. Please visit www.ntstagecrew.org for more information. Students who audition but are not cast in the Fall Play may still join the First Quarter Crew Apprenticeship Program. See https://www.ntstagecrew.org/about for more information and to sign up for First Quarter Crew.

     

    WHAT IF I'M NOT CAST BUT I STILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED? 

    Stage Crew is a great way to get involved with the productions. All crews are open to anyone interested, and they are a lot of fun - no prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining the crew, please contact Ms. Karczewski (karczewskid@nths.net).  

     

    WHAT ABOUT THE REHEARSAL ASSISTANT ROLE?

    The Rehearsal Assistant Application is due to Mr. Sherman by Monday, October 6, 2025.

     

    WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?  

    If you have any questions or concerns about the play, contact Mr. Sherman (012C Winnetka), shermana@nths.net


    WHAT ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE?  

    HERE are the monologues for auditions. Please note that you do not need to have your monologue memorized! Please follow the specific directions at the top of the monologue page.

     

    CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

     

    Abby Brewster (Female): A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men. Abby is the sister of Martha and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

     

    Martha Brewster (Female): Also a darling elderly lady who poisons elderly men. Martha is the sister of Abby and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer.

     

    Mortimer Brewster (Male): A drama critic and a good-hearted cynic. Engaged to Elaine. Mortimer cares for his aunts (Abby and Martha), but his world is turned upside-down as he tries to untangle their crazy, homicidal dilemma. Brother of Teddy and Jonathan.

    Elaine Harper (Female): Mortimer’s fiancée; Elaine is the daughter of the

    Rev. Dr. Harper, who lives next door to Abby and Martha. She is sassy, sharp, and wise.

     

    Teddy Brewster (Male): The very likable, kind-hearted brother to Mortimer and Jonathan. Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster. Teddy believes that he is the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.

     

    Jonathan Brewster (Male): Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, and brother of Mortimer and Teddy. A homicidal maniac who has had plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff.

     

    Dr. Einstein (Any gender): A German plastic surgeon and an alcoholic. Dr. Einstein is mousey and submissive to Jonathan and has changed Jonathan's face three times. 

     

    Officer O'Hara (Any gender): A police officer and aspiring playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play.

     

    The Reverend Dr. Harper (Male): Elaine’s father, and a neighbor/friend of Abby and Martha.

     

    Officer Brophy (Any gender): A pleasant neighborhood police officer.

     

    Officer Klein (Any gender): Officer Brophy’s partner. Also a pleasant neighborhood police officer

     

    Lieutenant Roony (Any gender): A tough and dominating police officer, the commanding officer of the precinct.

     

    Mr. Witherspoon (Male): The superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitarium.

     

    Mr. Gibbs (Male): An elderly man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.