Carrollwood Players Theatre announces open auditions and offstage production opportunities for:
Misery
by William Goldman
Based on the novel by Stephen King
A Mainstage Thriller
Directed by Richard Ryan
Performances October 17th - November 2, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m
There will be a special matinee performance for a private group on Saturday, October 25th at 2 p.m.
When successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, he wakes up captive in her secluded home.
While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain.
Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere.
The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.
Presented with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
Misery is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)
AUDITION DATES:
Sunday, August 10th, 2025 at 7 p.m.
AND
Monday, August 11th, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Auditions will be at Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa, FL, 33618
Mandatory Tech Week: October 12th - 16th, 2025
Performers and some production volunteers/crew MUST be available for all tech week rehearsals and all performances. There are no exceptions!
You MUST complete the online sign-up form in advance to attend this audition or be considered for a role or production volunteer opportunities.
Complete the sign-up form at:
https://forms.gle/YYsLwZtWmDreFrTi8
PLEASE LIST ALL POTENTIAL DATE SCHEDULE CONFLICTS ON THE ONLINE FORM.
IMPORTANT: If you have SIGNIFICANT conflicts between auditions and tech week, please carefully consider whether or not you are in a position to participate in this production. We are looking for performers who are AVAILABLE and COMMITTED to this production.
Please take care to complete the conflict section of the form accurately and completely. Casting and staffing decisions and rehearsal schedules are based in part on information you provide about potential conflict dates.
Rehearsals:
The exact rehearsal schedule is to be determined, but rehearsals are usually 2-3 days per week, mostly weekday nights, but there may be rehearsals on Saturdays in the daytime and/or Sundays in the evening. Weekday evening rehearsals generally begin at 7 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. (possibly later during tech week) Sunday evening rehearsals generally begin at 6 p.m. and can last as late as 10 p.m. There will be a total of approximately 20-25 rehearsals for this production.
The rehearsal schedule intensifies as opening night draws closer. Tech week rehearsals often run later into the evening. Call time for all performers and crew on performance dates is 1 hour prior to showtime.
No experience is necessary. All roles are open. All ethnicities and identities are encouraged to audition for any and all roles. This is a non-paid opportunity.
Headshots and resumes are encouraged but not required.
You may send in advance to
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Production Volunteer Opportunities: Let us know what you are interested in helping with!
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Roles Available:
The parts of Paul and Annie will require physical action and movement that includes lifting or assisting in lifting another human, moving one’s own body weight with upper body only, moving furniture and large set pieces, and exerting physical action and effort during dialogue.There are instances of stage combat and complete body falls that both actors need to be physically able to execute regularly and safely.
Annie Wilkes: Female Presenting 40s-60s
Annie is a motherly type, a former nurse with a big, comforting presence, always fussing over Paul, but underneath it all, she's obsessed. Not just a fan, mind you, but obsessed. She swings from warm and child-like to terrifying captor on a dime, and you never quite know which Annie you're going to get. Sometimes manic, other times catatonic. She's also surprisingly cunning and has a twisted sense of justice. The actor must be able to carry the stage with unsettling charm, command emotional intensity, and find the human truth inside a terrifying character. This is a bold, complex role with significant emotional depth and psychological nuance.
Paul Sheldon: Male Presenting 40s-50s
Paul is a best-selling author, used to the good life, probably a bit of a creature of habit. He's smart, witty, and a little bit arrogant, but he's also utterly vulnerable. His whole world gets turned upside down after a car crash, and he's completely at Annie's mercy. He's got to use his brain, his charm, and whatever tiny bit of strength he can muster to try and outwit her. Much of the show centers on his mental and physical battle to survive. The actor must be comfortable performing extended scenes in a hospital bed and showing physical distress.
Buster (Sheriff): Male Presenting late 30s-70s
Buster's your classic small-town sheriff – a good ol' boy, maybe a little slow to catch on, but definitely persistent. He's got a quiet, steady presence. He's not easily rattled, and once he gets a bee in his bonnet about something, he's going to follow it to the end. He's got a hunch that something's not quite right in Annie's neck of the woods, and he's the one who might just piece together the puzzle, even if it takes him a little while. He's the outside world, slowly but surely closing in. A supporting but crucial role. The actor needs strong instincts for natural dialogue and subtle presence.
What to Prepare:
Auditions will consist of readings from the script. The scenes can be studied in advance and do not need to be memorized.
Link to audition scenes:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17L0abbrT3-LD45OvrJYXViEHZv2ba4zHzAhJnOiIelc/edit?usp=sharing
VIDEO AUDITIONS - PLEASE NOTE: We prefer to see all auditions in person. Requests for video submissions will only be considered if we are unable to source sufficient talent from those auditioning in person. If you wish to audition by video only, there is no need to complete this form. Please email us at
aW5mbyB8IGNhcnJvbGx3b29kcGxheWVycyAhIG9yZw== and we'll put you on our backup list.
Alternate audition dates: We regret we are not able to schedule an alternate audition date for you.
What to expect on your audition date:
We expect a large turnout for auditions, and space is LIMITED. We regret we cannot admit any guests, companions, or observers.
Auditions begin at 7 p.m. and doors will open at 6:45 p.m. IMPORTANT information is covered at the beginning of each session, therefore it is imperative that you are prepared to begin on time. No one will be admitted after 7:05 p.m.
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You MAY apply to audition AND apply for offstage opportunities (in the event you are not cast), though some offstage positions may be filled prior to the audition dates. If you apply to audition AND to volunteer offstage, we will assume your first preference is to perform.
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Questions may be directed to
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