Our theater is a safe space for all. We welcome everyone to audition.

St Petersburg City Theatre is holding open call auditions for
The Mystery of Edwin Drood on July 14 & 15 at 6:30 PM.  
If needed, call backs will be held on July 16 at 6:30.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a hilarious, interactive whodunit mystery musical that allows the audience to enter the action and become the ultimate detectives. The show is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel of the same name. In the small town of Cloisterham, England, the young and charming Edwin Drood has been mysteriously murdered. But by whom? His leering romantic rival, John Jasper? The infamous purveyor of opium, Princess Puffer? The mysterious Landless twins? Someone else even more dastardly and villainous? This award-winning musical solves the predicament by asking the audience to choose which character is the killer. Staged in metatheatrical manner by the Music Hall Royale, a traveling Victorian theatre troupe full of just as many colorful characters as the roles they play, this charming and inventive musical is sure to intrigue and entertain any musical or mystery lover.

All actors play two parts. Each plays an actor of the Music Hall Royale and also the character he or she plays in Music Hall’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. In the following breakdowns, the acting company member is listed first, followed by the Drood role. British accents must be employed by all, though variations (Cockney, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, etc.) are permissible, based upon the director’s discretion.

What to Expect for Auditions:

• Familiarity with the show is encouraged. This is a show within a show so nearly everyone plays at least two characters. 
• Please expect to spend the evening with us.
• Please prepare 32 bars of a song that showcases your acting ability as well as your vocals. Bring sheet music in the proper key or a backing track (no vocals).  No a cappella auditions will be allowed.
• Musically this show is very challenging.  Be prepared to be asked to sing from the show and hold harmonies.
• Be prepared to do some cold readings from the script.

Click here to sign up for auditions

Character descriptions for The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Chairman/Mayor Thomas Sapsea: (any gender, any age) The leader of the music hall troupe. The Chairperson carries the majority of the dialogue and must be quick with a joke and able to improvise. S/he is in charge of keeping the pace of the show moving. This part can be played by either a man or a woman, and can be any age over 40ish. Baritone/Low Alto (D#3 – F#4 – can pop octaves if needed). 

Clive Paget/John Jasper: (male presenting, 35-50ish) The Royale’s male lead, a devilishly attractive cad, and he knows it. In Drood, he is the antagonist. Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, and uncle of Edwin Drood. In love with Rosa Bud. Madness lurks beneath his smooth exterior. Bari-tenor (A2 – A4).

Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood: (female presenting, 25-45ish) Prima donna and London’s leading male impersonator, charming but, as you might expect, with determination and a lot of ego. Must command the stage. As Edwin Drood, she is an attractive, rich, and popular young man who has everything. Mezzo (B3 – E5). 

Deirdre Peregrine/Rosa Bud:(female presenting, 16-30ish) The not-so-innocent ingenue of the Music Hall Royale, Deirdre portrays the love interest of Drood, the young, beautiful and apparently fragile Rosa Bud. Legit soprano (A3 – B5), with a high B natural that can’t be avoided. 

Angela Prysock/Princess Puffer: (female presenting, 50+) Angela has been a favorite of London audiences forever, a staple of the stage. As the mysterious Princess Puffer, Madam, opium dealer and general purveyor of vice of all kinds, she is glamorous in her ruin. Serious low alto (F3 – D5) – must have a big chest voice and lots of rapport with the audience. 

Janet Conover/Helena Landless: (female presenting, 25-50ish) Janet is a long-standing member of the acting troupe, asked to play the mysterious Helena Landless who hails from a mysterious foreign colony not unlike India. Mezzo (G3 – D5 [optional E5]) 

Victor Grinstead/Neville Landless: (male presenting, 25-50ish) Victor is enjoying his premier performance with the Music Hall Royale. His character, Neville, is Helena’s twin brother. Very passionate and often angry. Bari-tenor (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer. 

Cedric Moncrieffe/Reverend Crisparkle: (male presenting, 50+) This troupe member is a bit of an open book who plays an archetypal vicar, who is also a bit of a lurker, and was in love with Rosa’s mother. Must be significantly older than Rosa. Baritone (C3 – G4), strong ensemble singer. 

Phillip Bax/Bazzard: (male presenting, any) Devotee of the theatre, the everlasting understudy, who finally gets his moment. May have quite a major part if the evening turns out that way. Bari-tenor (A2 – Eb4 [opt G4 or Bb4]). 

Nick Cricker, Sr./Durdles: (male presenting, 30+) “Clown Prince of the Royale” who makes the most of every line and plays the drunkard sexton in Drood. Over 30. Baritone or Tenor (B2 – F4) – ensemble singer.

Nick Cricker, Jr./Deputy/Satyr: (male presenting), any age younger than Cricker, Sr. As the Deputy, lowest in the pecking order, and very funny. Any voice range – ensemble singer. 

James / Joyce Throttle, Stage Manager (any gender / any age): A non-singing role who helps to keep the Chairperson on track throughout the play.

Wendy, Beatrice and Flo: (female presenting, vocal feature) Drawn from the company, these characters are contemporaries of Rosa Bud. (C4-D5)

Roles filled by ensemble:
Townspeople
Succubae
Shade of Drood / Harry Sayle
Shade of Jasper / Mr. Montague Pruitt
Puffer Clients / Alan Eliot and Christopher Lyon
Maids / Violet Balfour & Gwendolen Pynn
Horace / Nicholas Michael
Medford Moss
Sarah Cook