The Community Stage presents Auditions for Noises Off
From slamming doors to flying sardines, and missing props to dropping trousers, Noises Off is regarded as “the funniest farce ever written.” This backstage, rollicking comedy follows a British troupe of actors as they rehearse for
the opening night of “Nothing’s On.” Can this chaotic company of actors look past love affairs, remember their lines, and perform some semblance of the show they rehearsed, as they take it on the road? Seems unlikely!
We’re thrilled to produce Noises Off as the first Community Stage production of the 2025-2026 season in our new proscenium theatre. We encourage actors of all backgrounds and experience levels to audition.
By Michael Frayn
Directed by Ann-Ngaire Martin
PERFORMANCE DATES
Performances: November 14 – 23
AUDITIONS DATES
Thursday, June 5 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Saturday, June 7 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Please prepare a side (short scene) from the show. The sides will be available and attached to this webpage on May 10.
We will also have copies of the sides available at auditions.
Most roles will require a British accent. Actors are encouraged to try the accent at auditions although it’s not required.
No appointment necessary. Open to ages 18+
Note: Callbacks will be Saturday, June 14 (by invitation only)
Bring a résumé detailing your theatre experience, or be prepared to list your performance experience.
Bring your schedule and be ready to list conflicts between Monday, August 25 – Sunday, November 23, 2025. We plan to rehearse 3 to 4 times a week (likely weekday evenings and weekends), and will create a rehearsal schedule based on actor conflicts – so please be thorough.
Auditions, rehearsals, and performances all take place at Arc Stages at 147 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville, NY 10570.
Who will be in the room?
Director – Ann-Ngaire Martin (she/her)
Artistic Director – Adam David Cohen (he/him)
If you are unavailable during these audition dates or have any other questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Noises Off Character Breakdown
DOTTY OTLEY – A late-middle-aged actress/comedian hanging onto her past TV stardom. She plays Mrs. Clackett, the housekeeper, in Nothing’s On. Off stage she is having an affair with Garry, who’s half her age.
LLOYD DALLAS – The director of the play-within-the-play, Nothing’s On. He’s an experienced director thrown into an emotional roller coaster of a bad script, needy actors, backstage love affairs and not enough time to fix any of it!
GARRY LEJEUNE – He plays Roger, the real estate broker and leading man in Nothing’s On. He’s having an affair with Dotty, the star of the play. He is fiercely protective of her. He tends to ramble on when he is trying to make
a point.
BROOKE ASHTON – A young inexperienced actress from London. She plays Vicki, who works for the tax authorities, and arrives with Roger in Nothing’s On to have a “sorted” afternoon in the country. She is one of those actresses who no
matter what happens on stage, she does her performance exactly the same. She’s not the sharpest tool in the shed!
POPPY NORTON-TAYLOR – The assistant stage manager. Hard working and trying desperately to keep the production of Nothing’s On from derailing both on and off stage.
FREDERICK FELLOWES – Has a serious fear of violence and blood. Plays Phillip Brent, who lives out of the country with his wife Flavia to avoid paying taxes. They are on a secret visit to their house in Nothing’s On. In his real life
he is hanging by a thread, as his wife has just left him.
BELINDA BLAIR – Cheerful and sensible, a reliable actress. Plays Flavia, Philip Brent’s wife. She is the peacemaker in the cast and is always trying to make everything okay.
TIM ALLGOOD – An overworked stage manager. It’s as though he’s everyone’s understudy, fixing anything wrong with the set or props, and at the beck and call of the director. Sweet and good natured, just exhausted.
SELSDON MOWBRAY – Elderly actor. He was probably quite good in his heyday, maybe even a Shakespearean actor years ago, but has slid into drinking and is extremely hard of hearing. He plays a burglar who is breaking into the Brents’ house in Nothing’s On.