Show: I BET YOUR LIFE
Theater: Barley Sheaf Players
Theater Website: https://www.barleysheaf.org/auditioninfo
Theater Phone: (610) 363-7075
Start date of auditions: 07/21/2026
Location:
Barley Sheaf Players
810 N Whitford Rd
Lionville, PA 19353
(610) 363-7075
Audition Dates/Times:
Tuesday, July 21 @ 7pm
Thursday, July 23 @ 7pm
Performance Dates/Times:
Evenings:
October 30, November 6, 7, 13, 2026 — 7:30pm
Matinees:
November 1, 8*, 14, 2026 — 2pm
Synopsis:
When soap opera writer Matthew Stoddard can’t convince his agent/best friend Greg that his new screenplay premise is believable—a terminal man hires a hit man to kill him, then learns his diagnosis was wrong—he decides to prove it. Matt stages a country dinner party with a “hit man” targeting a “dying” Greg. The catch: there’s a real hit man in the room, and nobody knows who it is. With the clock ticking, their secretary Stacy caught in the middle, and every twist landing with a genuine jolt, I Bet Your Life asks: who’s the con, and who’s the mark?
Audition Details:
Auditions will consist of cold reading of the script (sides will be provided). Ages listed below are targets, but relative age of the characters matters more than specific age.
Part clever mystery and part fast-paced farce, this hilarious comedy follows a struggling author whose high-stakes wager turns a New England living room into a revolving door of suspicious characters and frantic misunderstandings. We are seeking a vibrant ensemble of character actors to bring this chaotic puzzle to life, from fast-talking leads to a colorful parade of eccentric scene-stealers.
Roles of all sizes are available, including several fantastic, punchy roles that are perfect for busy actors with limited schedules or talent looking for a fun speaking role without the pressure of heavy memorization. Come join a tight-knit comedic cast where every character gets a moment to shine!
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
STACY KINGSLEY [Lead] F · Late 20s–30s
Greg’s quick-witted, capable secretary. Vivacious and sharp, she serves as the grounding, resourceful anchor amid the evening’s escalating chaos. She is close to both men, effortlessly balancing Greg’s neuroses with Matt’s charm.
GREGORY LARSON [Lead] M · 30s–40s
A sharp talent agent with a pronounced timid streak that constantly battles his sense of humor. He loathes the country, arrives under protest, and becomes the increasingly desperate, paranoid target of the evening’s deadly wager.
MATTHEW STODDARD [Lead] M · 30s–40s
A successful, devil-may-care soap opera writer and Greg’s best friend. Charming, witty, and deeply confident, he is the mastermind behind the weekend’s high-stakes wager to prove his script’s plausibility.
LAURA PUDNEY [Supporting] F · Any
The blunt, no-nonsense local cook hired for the weekend. Delivering deadpan commentary alongside cold supper, her regional speech and unbothered attitude provide a hilarious contrast to the high-strung city characters.
GERTA [Supporting] F · Any
An intensely earnest, eccentric author who bursts through the windows clutching a massive, handwritten manuscript. Dressed in bohemian attire, she speaks with fierce theatricality and refuses to leave until her “genius” is recognized.
BURTON FINLEY [Supporting] M · 30s–40s
A cheerful, unassuming plumber in white overalls who wanders through the front door carrying a toolbox. He is entirely unphased by the strange gathering and happily joins the party.
HENRIETTA SQUIRES [Supporting] F · Any
A warmly folksy, neighborly woman who claims to live down the road. She projects a quaint, picture-perfect “homespun country neighbor” vibe—perhaps a bit too perfectly.
IRA WATSON [Supporting] M · 50+
An affable, undemanding man who also claims to be a new neighbor invited to stop by. His sudden arrival alongside Henrietta raises immediate comedic suspicions.
LILA LANGFORTH [Supporting] F · 30s–40s
A glamorous, vain television personality who claims her car ran out of gas. Highly conscious of her public profile, she expects to be recognized and is openly disdainful of anything beneath her station.
