By Jeffrey Hatcher 
Directed by Nathan Milliner 

Auditions will be held in the Upstairs at 801 theatre

August 30 at 2pm
August 31 at 5pm

801 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065 

Performance Dates are October 24-26 and October 31-November 2. Note: there will be two performances on Saturday the 1st so 7 performances total. 

What’s the show about?

A dark and dreadful night. A woman in white lost within a wood. And the only shelter is a house full of murderers. Mixing funhouse tricks, Grand Guignol and a deadly game of cat and mouse, MURDER BY POE is a theatrical reimagining of some of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous tales of terror-"The Black Cat," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "William Wilson," "The Purloined Letter," "The Mystery of Marie Roget" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." As each haunted figure tells a story of crime and mayhem, the woman must solve the puzzle of the house and the riddle of the man who ushers her into its mysteries.

Roles/Cast of Characters:

• The Woman (18–40): A young woman seeking refuge in an old dark house where she meets a detective and a collection of shady characters. 

• Roderick Usher (50+ Male): A tall, sickly old man who suffers from a painful acuteness of the senses who owns the old dark house. Will also play (Accent Actor/Old Man)

• Cat (35-60 Male): A drunk who loves his cat and hates his wife. Will also play (doctor)

• Heart (20-40): Man or Woman tormented by their companion’s evil eye which is slowly driving them mad. Will also play (Zoo Man/Waiter)

• Marie (18–40): A young perfume shop employee who resembles The Woman and goes missing. 

• Pluto (18-45): A cat. Looking for graceful actress to embody a sensual feline in a cat suit. 

• C. Auguste Dupin (30–45 Male): A master detective from France who can solve almost any case. (Has French accent)

• Cat’s Wife (30-60 Female): Annoying, dimwitted house wife May also play (Prefect/Not Dead Woman 2)

• William Wilson (25-60 male): A man tormented by his doppleganger. May also play (Inspector/Policeman 1/Tortured Man 2 

• Minister (30–45) Male (double for Dupin): Royal minister who tries to blackmail the Queen. 

• The Queen (45-70 female): The Queen of France involved in covering up her affair. May also play (Madame Roget/Mrs. Clemm)

• Policeman 2/Ape/Tortured Man 1/Waiter (18–40)

• Guard/Raven (18+)

• Guard/Raven (18+)

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin, Book by David Ives and Paul Blake

Directed by Jennifer Starr

September 21 and 22 at 7:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1000 Eminence Pike, Shelbyville, KY

Performance dates are December 4-7 and 11-14.

Those auditioning will be required to sing a solo with an accompanist - 16 to 32 bars of any song of their choosing that shows off their musical theatre voice. They should bring their own sheet music that is well marked or bring a Bluetooth speaker of their own and sing with a track. 

They will learn a short dance portion in small groups (approximately 32 bars of music) that will be taught by our choreographer.  Wear clothes you can move in.  (Non-tappers will be considered of course!)

 They will also be asked to do cold readings of sides from the show in small groups.  No monologues are required.

No headshots are required.  We can take photos. 

 If someone wants to audition via video, we will consider that as long as it is submitted by a deadline TBD.

 Callbacks TBD.

Character Descriptions (Ages are suggestions.)

December 8 & 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Roles available for actors aged 12-17

January 11 at 5:00 p.m and January 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Roles available for actors aged 7 to 14

February 15 & 16 at 7:00 p.m.

March 15 & 16 at 7:00 p.m.