Show: ARCADIA
Theater: Westfield Community Players
Theater Website: https://www.wcptheatre.org/arcadia
Theater Phone: (908) 232-1221
Start date of auditions: 09/19/2026
AUDITIONS for ARCADIA, by TOM STOPPARD
WESTFIELD COMMUNITY PLAYERS
Auditions
9/19 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm
9/21 from 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Callbacks, if necessary, 9/26 at 10:00 am
Performances Jan 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 23, and 24, 2027
8 Actors ages 15 – 70
4 Actresses ages 15 – 50
ARCADIA, often called Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece, moves smoothly back and forth between 1809 and the present at the elegant Derbyshire estate owned by the Coverly family. The 1809 scenes reveal a household in transition. As the Arcadian landscape is being transformed into picturesque Gothic gardens, thirteen-year-old Lady Thomasina and her tutor delve into intellectual and romantic issues. Present-day scenes depict the Coverly descendants and two competing scholars researching a possible scandal at the estate in 1809 involving Lord Byron. This brilliant play explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between classical and romantic temperaments, and the disruptive influence of sex on our life orbits – the attraction Newton left out.
“Pure entertainment for the heart, mind, soul…The best Broadway play for many, many a season. It is a work shot through with fun, passion and, yes, genius.” – The New York Post
“Stoppard’s richest, most ravishing comedy to date, a play of wit, intellect, language, brio and… emotion. It’s like a dream of levitation: you’re instantaneously aloft, soaring, banking, doing loop the loops… The playwright is a daredevil pilot who’s steady at the controls.” – The New York Times
Stoppard, who died in 2025, won a record five Tony Awards for Best Play and was nominated for three others.
THE CAST OF CHARACTERS
All ages are approximate, though relationships need to be believable. Augustus/Gus and Chloe can be played by either teens or older actors, but Thomasina must be played by an adult (18+).
Every role in this show is juicy, but some roles get more stage time than others. Thomasina, Septimus, Hannah, Bernard, and Valentine should plan on beginning to memorize lines when they are cast. Lady Croom, Chloe and Gus/Augustus are supporting roles (indicated by + in front of their names.) Jellaby, Chater, Noakes, and Capt. Brice are featured roles (indicated by * in front of their names.)
The rehearsal schedule will minimize the time commitment from actors playing the smaller roles, both in terms of how often they need to attend rehearsals and their arrival/departure times at same. Rehearsals for these roles may not begin until December. Rehearsals are typically from 7:00 – 9:30 pm on weekdays; Sunday start times vary. In the last 2 weeks before Tech Week, we may go a little longer, as it is a lengthy play. We will never rehearse on Fridays or Saturdays.
Given the number of holidays during this stretch, availability may make a difference in casting. If you cannot be available for all 3 run-throughs the week before Tech Week, please do not audition.
All characters can, at some point in the play, be “scene-stealers”. In other words, bring some passion into your audition, even if you don’t think it’s appropriate for that scene. I need to see that you can go to that place.
British RP accents are preferred, but don’t let not having one influence whether or not you audition. We may skip the accent if not everyone can do one well enough. However, please remember that the English usually speak more quickly than Americans do, and the success of English humor depends on this timing. Use whichever accent you are more comfortable with at auditions.
The actors playing Thomasina and Septimus will need to waltz well (if you aren’t a dancer now, you must be comfortable with learning how to dance sufficiently.) Hannah and Gus also need to waltz, but they don’t need to be quite as skilled. Awkward works there.
Thomasina and Septimus share a few romantic kisses in the second act – these are her first real kisses. Both actors must be comfortable with this, as they cannot be cut or altered.
We may have one actor play both Jellaby and Noakes; TBD. One actor WILL play both Augustus and Gus, as Stoppard requires.
If you are unable to attend the auditions, please email scenestudystx@gmail.com to arrange for a Zoom audition.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Nineteenth Century:
Thomasina Coverley – The smartest person in the room at nearly 14 years old (and later, 17), she has a voracious intellect and yet also an innocence to her. She is the oldest daughter of the house; thoughtful, aware, warm, lovely (without knowing it), and is “outside of time” (she makes sense in any time period).
Note: the actor who plays this role should be at least 18, as she has a few romantic kisses with Septimus at the end of the play. She should be someone who can play “young”. Mostly, we are looking for someone who can convey the intelligence, curiosity and range of playfulness in Thomasina.
+Lady Croom – Thomasina’s mother. Lady Croom is sharp, but not well-rounded educationally. She is strong-willed, stylish, attractive, and is the center of the room when she’s in it. 35 – 50.
Septimus Hodge – Thomasina’s tutor. He is a young man with a good head on his shoulders, well-educated, a competent and caring teacher to Thomasina, and a bit liberal with his affections, bedding both Lady Croom and Ezra Chater’s wife. He is witty, attractive & willing to press his advantage in various situations. 25 – 35.
*Jellaby – Butler for the Coverly home, Sidley Park. He is officious, succinct and aware. No age requirement, although he needs to have been the butler here for some years. Let’s say he’s between 40 and 70.
*Ezra Chater – A self-styled poet and lover; not great at either. He’s passionate, but unfortunately also a fool and so is easily manipulated by others. His wife has been carrying on behind his back for many years. 30s.
*Richard Noakes – The landscape designer. He likens himself to being a prophet of the “new aesthetic” that leans towards the gothic. He is a bit of a sycophant, but he’s an able craftsman & a likable gentleman. Age range: 30-60.
*Captain Brice, RN – Brother of Lady Croom. He is a solid military man, who happens to be one of Chater’s wife’s many lovers. It is under his auspices that the Chaters have been invited to Sidley Park. He is noble, loyal and ambitious, and bluster is his go-to attitude. Age range: 30-50. Maybe a wee bit older.
+Augustus Coverly – Thomasina’s brother. He is growing into the role of “man of the house” to take after his father. He is full of himself and, as is often the case with teenagers, has very little patience with adults. He will also play “Gus” in the Modern Times’ cast (see below). He needs to pass for something in the mid-teens or early 20s. Heck, don’t worry about your age – if you’re under 30 and an actor who can convince us you’re younger (in the same way that the actor playing Thomasina does), come to auditions! This is a special kind of role, sweet, funny, and tragic, all at the same time.
Modern Times:
Hannah Jarvis – An academic, studying the garden history of Sidley Park. She is sharp and serious, and a good researcher. She doesn’t have a large sense of humor, but she is not humorless. She has a strong moral compass and good instincts. She has already written a best-selling book, so she needs to be old enough for that to make sense. Age range: 30-45.
+Chloe Coverly – Young lady of the house. Can be mid-teens to early 20s. She has a crush on Bernard. She is thoughtful, but not in an academic way. She is personable and open to new people and experiences.
Bernard Nightingale – An academic, probably in his 30s, but we can be flexible for the right actor. Still, unlikely to be older than 45. He is in the “still proving himself” stage of his career, and is therefore a bit too gung-ho. He has his hypotheses and will find the nuggets of information that will help prove him right. He’s clever and personable, but not the best with people, occasionally saying the wrong thing.
Valentine Coverly – Young man of the house. A scientist himself, he is working on a problem that becomes relevant to the story. He can explain complex ideas well. He has a small crush on Hannah but assumes that nothing will come of it. Age range: 20s-30s.
+Gus Coverly – Youngest of the modern Coverly children. He is very emotional and curious, and he does not talk. Consequently, he needs to be played by an actor who can convey everything through his body language. He is typically cast in the late teens to early 20s and is played by the same actor that plays Augustus in the 19th century. He (as Gus) is especially critical to the story in general and the final scene in particular. Anyone auditioning for Gus needs to prepare a silent scene: Enter the room where Hannah is and give her an apple. This moment indicates his admiration for her. Embellish the scene to convey the character’s strong emotions.
Any questions should be directed to Jeanne Johnston, the director, at scenestudystx@gmail.com.
