Onstage Repertory Theatre

“The Cottage” Auditions

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday, August 29, 2026, Noon - 3:00 PM

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Cold readings from the script

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CALLBACKS: (if necessary)

Sunday, August 30, 2026, Noon - 3:00 pm

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REHEARSALS: 2 table work rehearsals in early December

January/February 2-3 times per week. (I try to work around conflicts.)

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TECH WEEK: February 13 - 18

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PERFORMANCES: February 19, 20, 25, 26 27, 28 (matinee), March 4, 5, 6, 7 (matinee)

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TO FILL OUT AN AUDITION FORM AND CHOOSE AN AUDITION SLOT, FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://forms.gle/fP8Yx1mXNhPCDvfa8

 

SYNOPSIS

The Cottage is a side-splitting farce by Sandy Rustin inspired by the works of Noel Coward. Set in the English countryside in 1923, this tale of sex, betrayal and love unfolds when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous – potentially murderous – romantic comedy.

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CHARACTERS - DESCRIPTION & AGES

 

SYLVIA VAN KIPNESS: Mid 20’s-40’s, any ethnicity, female - A “lovely and rash romantic”. Feminine, yet strong-willed, Sylvia's attempts at true love leave her frustrated and ever hopeful for a shocking turn of events.

 

BEAU: Mid 20’s-Late 40’s, any ethnicity, male - “Perhaps the best looking man in Britain” Logical to the point of pessimism. Beau is the type of fellow quite happy with the status quo, no matter what the status quo may be.

 

MARJORIE: Mid 20’s-40’s, any ethnicity, female - EXTREMELY PREGNANT (8 Months), pragmatic and a tad spicy. Unflappable in every sense of the word. Unless of course, she's in labor.

 

CLARKE: Mid 20’s-Late 40’s, any ethnicity, male - Distinguished gent with a lover’s spirit. Always aiming to please, Clarke's kind-heartedness may lead others to take him for a fool.

 

DIERDRE: 20’s-30’s, any ethnicity, female - An awfully pretty, sometimes wise, nincompoop. Gullible is Diedre's middle name. She's awfully sweet though, if you like that sort of thing. Surprisingly capable of unexpected clarity and insight.

 

RICHARD: 30’s-40’s, any ethnicity, male - A “murderous, yet gentle soul.” Born to be half of a soul-mated duo, Richard is hell-bent on finding and keeping his true love (no matter what).

 

DIRECTOR BIO

Michael McGarty recently directed “Boeing Boeing” Onstage Repertory Theater and “Flamingo Court” and “The Good Doctor” for Naked Stage in Walnut Creek. In the Boston area, he served as The Harvard Community Theater’s artistic director from its inception in 1990 to 2012 where he directed over 100 plays including four New England premieres of New York composer Jenny Giering’s works: “Show”, “Crossing Brooklyn”, “Still Life”, and “Mistress Cycle”.  He was named Best Director at the 2012 Eastern Massachusetts Theater Festival for “Crossing Brooklyn” and for the Giering productions at the New England Regional Festivals.  In 2002, his production of “night, Mother” won the EMACT Best Production Award. In 2018, McGarty won the DASH Best Director Award for his production of “Out of Order” at the Mass Arts Center.