MIDNIGHT AT THE NEW DAWN, Maurer Productions OnStage, Inc. & Maurer TheaterWorks at Kelsey Theatre, 06/06/2026

Show: MIDNIGHT AT THE NEW DAWN
Theater: Maurer Productions OnStage, Inc. & Maurer TheaterWorks at Kelsey Theatre
Theater Website: https://kelsey.mccc.edu/auditions.shtml
Theater Phone:

Start date of auditions: 06/06/2026

An Original Ensemble Comedy Written by Dan Maurer

A Play Written & Directed by: Dan Maurer
Produced by: Maurer Productions OnStage, Inc. & Maurer TheaterWorks
Stage Manager: Jeff Cantor
Maurer Productions OnStage, Maurer TheaterWorks, and Kelsey Theatre are committed to advancing an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all our productions and programs. We aim to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, creeds, socio-economic statuses, nationalities and abilities.

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES
Saturday, June 6, 2026 – 11am – 5pm
Sunday, June 7, 2026 – 11am – 5pm
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – 6pm – 9pm (callbacks with vocal auditions)

ABOUT THE SHOW
This special co-production reunites an acclaimed, Perry Award–winning creative team for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn — an original ensemble comedy play inspired by stage legends like Neil Simon and fueled by the delightful chaos of internet-age relationships.

It’s New Year’s Eve at the New Dawn Diner, where the lives of several couples collide. As midnight approaches, old loves are tested, new sparks fly, and everyone must decide who they’re bringing into the new year — and who they’re leaving behind. Wickedly funny, yet tender and full of heart, it’s Neil Simon with a Wi-Fi connection.

PERFORMANCES DATES:
Friday, October 16 at 8pm
Saturday, October 17 at 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, October 18 at 2pm

AUDITION INFORMATION, APPOINTMENTS & QUESTIONS:

ATTENTION ACTORS:
What makes this opportunity unique is the chance to be part of the creative process. Actors who are cast will be invited to participate in the play’s development over the summer — character discussions, table readings, and collaborative conversations that will directly inform rewrites ahead of and during rehearsals. This is not simply performing a finished script. This is the rare chance to help shape one. Your voice, your instincts, and your artistry will leave a mark on this production that will last far beyond opening night.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE AUDITION GUIDE:
https://tinyurl.com/MPOaudMID26

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION TIME
https://forms.gle/Eb4N51HXiMPor1227

QUESTIONS – EMAIL: MPOauditionsinfo@gmail.com

Monologues: Actors are asked to audition using one or more of the monologues provided in the audition guide. Download the guide from the link above.

Music: While this is a straight play, there is one all-cast comic musical number that will be Music Directed by Laurie Gougher. Finalists for roles will be invited to callbacks and taught a piece of music as part of their audition.

Age & Diversity: All performers must be at least 16 years old by the date of auditions. Casting is open to performers of any race/ethnicity, gender identity or gender-non-conforming and ability for all roles.

Location: Auditions will be held on the Mercer County Community College West Windsor Campus. Check the Kelsey Theatre sign board for a room location on the day of your audition. MCCC is located at 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS (AGE RANGES TEEN TO 70s)

(In order of appearance, some roles will be doubled)

Krissy (F) — Host of an internet web series called “Truth Be Told” designed to stir up trouble amongst couples by getting them to tell the truth about their relationships. (Principal) Age: 30s
Brad (M) — Earnest, but slightly outmatched. Caught in Krissy’s crosshairs during a man-on-the-street interview. Sasha’s boyfriend, but maybe not for long. (Featured/Ensemble) Age: 20s-30s
Sasha (F) — Brad’s girlfriend; sharp, perceptive. Beginning to question why she’s with Brad. (Featured/Ensemble) Age: 20s-30s
Julie (F) — Waitress who has inherited the diner from her late mother. She gets involved in her customers lives a little too much. Serves as the lens through which the audience sees the couples and their stories. (Principal) Age: 30s-40s
Claire (F) — Budding internet influencer who has filed for divorce from her husband and is writing a public divorce decree for her followers. She’s performative, image-driven, but confused about who she is. (Principal) Age: 20s-30s
Louis (M) — Claire’s confused husband who struggles to understand his wife while trying to save their marriage. (Principal) Age: 20s-30s
Lucy (F) — Romantic, searching, a member of a writers group who is trying to get her boyfriend (another member of the group) to acknowledge his feelings for her. (Principal) Age: 30s
Owen (M) — Lucy’s boyfriend (if you want to call him that) is another member of the writers group. Cautious, avoidant, emotionally unavailable. Hides behind the other writers and their stories. (Principal) Age: 30s
Walt (M) — Another member of the writers’ group. Blunt, cynical, the Simon Cowell of the group on the surface, but wounded inside. (Supporting) Age: 50s-70s
Miles (M) — Analytical, smug, a member of the writers’ group who never feels like anything is good enough. (Supporting) Age: 30-50s
Ted (M) — Earnest, eccentric, a widower who seems to be the only member of the writers group besides Lucy who understands empathy and relationships. (Supporting) Age: 50s-60s
Nicole (F) — Award-winning actor who has come home for the holidays. Approached by her ex-husband and forced to relive the time they were in the middle of their divorce and forced to act out a love scene together. (Principal) Age: 40s
Jake (M) — Nicole’s ex-husband, a philanderer, D-List celebrity in mid-career meltdown, recovering alcoholic. (Principal) Age: 40s
Hildie (F) — Intimacy coordinator for Nicole and Jake’s love scene. German accent. Broadly comic. (Supporting) Age: 50s-70s
Toby (M) — Emma’s boyfriend. A high school theater kid. Pleasant, attached to Emma, but confused about his own sexuality. (Principal) Age: Teens
Emma (F) — Toby’s girlfriend. Another high school theater kid. Emotionally naïve. Over the moon infatuated with Toby. Sick with puppy love. (Principal) Age: Teens
Ensemble (F/M) — Various diner staff and patrons – servers, hostess, kitchen worker, diner patrons, etc. Ever present. Creating the world of the diner. Some ensemble actors will double for some of the other characters listed above. Ages: Teens – 70s