Murder On The Orient Express
By Agatha Christie
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Director: Matthew Pellegrin
Stage Manager: Alissa Griffin
AUDITIONS: Monday June 30th & Tuesday July 1st, 2025 (by appointment)
CALLBACKS: Wednesday July 2nd, 2025 (by request only)
REHEARSALS: July 2025 - September 2025
PERFORMANCES: September 26 - October 5, 2025
TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION, PLEASE FILL OUT THE AUDITION FORM. THE LINK IS BELOW.
https://forms.gle/xHQF9WdPui9qzXV86
**Once you have filled out the audition form, you will receive an email to schedule your audition time. You will also receive any additional information you may need to know for your audition.**
SYNOPSIS:
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.
CASTING NOTES:
-Must be 20 or older to audition
-Casting 10-12 performers
-ALL ages and ethnicities are encouraged to audition for ALL roles
Detective Hercule Poirot (M)
Stage Age: 40-65
Accent: Belgian
Iconic character. Agatha Christie’s most famous detective. Poirot is fastidious, thorough, a touch ridiculous, and incredibly observant and intelligent. He is both arrogant and humble to fault. He is an observer of people, astute at analyzing why people behave as they do, and firmly believes that most crimes can be solved primarily by observation, psychology, and thinking them through. He values intelligence and the rule of law above all else.
Monsieur Bouc (M)
Stage Age: 40-64
Accent: Belgian
The owner of Wagon Lit, Orient Express. Bouc is a middle-aged man with a youthful vigor and attitude. Gregarious, honest and forthright, he puts his friends and customers above profit, although he is concerned about his company’s image. He is not a match for Poirot in intelligence, however.
Mary Debenham (F)
Stage Age: mid 20s-30s
Accent: English (standard)
A governess. Anxious, but also cool and determined, Mary has a certain sadness about her, as well as many secrets. She is carrying on a secret affair with Colonel Arburthnot. May need to kiss onstage.
Colonel Arbuthnot (M; may double as Samuel Ratchett)
Stage Age: 30s
Accent: Scottish
A military man of the old fashioned type, possibly old-money, and used to being obeyed without question. He is strong, charismatic, but also problematic in some of his personal views. Has a temper. May need to kiss onstage.
Hector McQueen (M)
Stage Age: 23-35
Accent: American
Personal assistant and secretary to Samuel Ratchett, McQueen is a nervous character with a stutter that appears when he is especially anxious. Seems rather new to his profession. Talks a bit too much.
Michel (M; may double as Head Waiter)
Stage Age: 40s
Accent: French (Michel) & Turkish (Head Waiter)
Competent and organized, Michel is the conductor for the first-class carriages of the Orient Express. Handles himself well in a crisis, and is very good at his job. Note: This actor may double as the Head Waiter of the Tokatilian Hotel, and will also need to be able to do a Turkish accent.
Princess Dragomiroff (F)
Stage Age: 60s-70s
Accent: Russian
Displaced Russian nobility. The Princess is a battleship: determined, arrogant, and accustomed to getting her way. She travels a great deal, and holds very decided opinions.
Greta Ohlsson (F)
Stage Age: 30s
Accent: Swedish
A Catholic missionary and baby nurse, currently serving as a companion to Princess Dragomiroff. She would like to help small children in Africa. Deeply devout. This character may be funny, but should not be played as a caricature for laughs.
Countess Andrenyi (F)
Stage Age: 25-35
Accent: Hungarian
In addition to being married to a count (and thus, nobility), she also is a doctor. Beautiful, educated, charming, and intelligent enough to match wits with Poirot. Must also be able to do an American accent.
Helen Hubbard (F)
Stage Age: 45-60
Accent: American
Not exactly what she seems, Hubbard comes across as a gregarious, loud, obnoxious American busybody who has been married multiple times. Must be able to sing and do a little dancing. Should also be able to pull off a cooler, more calculated version of this character with a very standard or even cultured American accent.
Samuel Rachett (M; may double as Colonel Arbuthnot)
Stage Age: 35-50
Accent: American (mobster – possibly Brooklyn or Chicago-style)
A dangerous and unlikable man, full of entitlement, with a hair trigger temper. Must have a forceful personality, and come across as someone not to be trusted or crossed. As the murder victim, this actor may be required to remain on stage and still for an extended period of time.
We hope to see you there! If you have any questions regarding auditions, please contact Artistic Director Mason Clark at
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