Auditions for
It’s Only a Play

Center Players will be holding auditions for its upcoming production of It’s Only a Play, by Terrence McNally

Directed by Darren Carfano & Ben Alexander.

AUDITIONS

Jersey Shore Arts Center Herbst Theater, 66 Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ, 07753

Wednesday, November 11, 2026; 7-9 pm

Thursday, November 12, 2026; 6-8 pm

Callbacks: Thursday, November 12; 8-9 pm

PERFORMANCES

Jersey Shore Arts Center Herbst Theater, 66 Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ, 07753

The show will run for 4 performances, March 12-14, 2027:

• Friday, March 12 - 7:30 pm
• Saturday, March 13 - 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
• Sunday, March 14 - 2:00 pm

SHOW DESCRIPTION

It’s opening night of The Golden Egg, a new Broadway play, and wealthy producer Julia Budder is hosting a lavish party at her Manhattan townhouse. As the cast and creative team await the reviews, egos clash, insecurities surface, and friendships are tested in this sharp, affectionate satire of show business.

CAST REQUIREMENTS

PETER AUSTIN (male-presenting; 35-55) Tonight is the Broadway debut of Peter’s play, and his sense of himself rides on what the reviews say. He is talented and idealistic, but insecure. His friendship with James puts loyalty, ambition, and professional jealousy in the same room.

JAMES WICKER (male-presenting; 35-55) James is a successful television actor who turned down the lead in Peter’s play. He uses razor-sharp wit and outrageous observations to deal with his emotions, and he is charming enough to get away with most of it. His longtime friendship with Peter is equal parts affection and rivalry.

JULIA BUDDER (female-presenting; 45-65) Julia is making her Broadway producing debut with enormous wealth and very little idea how the theater works. She is glamorous, eccentric, and scatterbrained, and her kindheartedness survives every blunder.

VIRGINIA NOYES (female-presenting; 45-65) Years of Hollywood scandal and substance abuse stand between Virginia and a Broadway comeback. She arrives at the party with an ankle monitor, a supply of pharmaceuticals, and plenty of outrageous stories. She makes no apology for any of it.

FRANK FINGER (male-presenting; 25-45). Frank has had one success after another, leaving him desperate to experience failure. A precocious theatrical genius, he is prone to pretension, emotional storms, and occasional kleptomania. British accent required.

IRA DREW (male-presenting; 45-75) - Ira’s scathing reviews have made him feared and have left him an outsider in the community he judges. He is bitter and pompous on the surface, but beneath the surface, he is deeply insecure and secretly longs for artistic acceptance.

GUS P. HEAD (male-presenting; 20s) - Gus has just arrived in New York, fresh off the farm, and is working the coat check at Julia’s party. He is friendly and earnest, starstruck by everyone in the room, and dreams of Broadway stardom. Some singing ability is preferred.

AUDITION DETAILS

You can sign up for an audition slot by filling out this form. All roles are available. Auditions will consist of cold readings of sides from the script. Age ranges are guidelines, not strict requirements. Casting is open to all ethnicities, races, and gender identities. Newcomers to Center Players are especially welcome.

REHEARSAL AND PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Rehearsals will take place at the Jersey Shore Arts Center or at other locations in the Neptune area.  In late November/early December, we will have a table read and possibly one other rehearsal.  We will pause for the holidays and pick up in January 2027.

Please be sure to list all rehearsal conflicts in your audition form.  Contingent on availability, we will try to limit the first month to 2-3 weeknights, with increased evenings and weekends in February & March.  You must be available for the entire two weeks prior to opening night, especially during tech week, which starts March 7.

Backstage crew and other volunteers are also needed for the event. Questions about auditions or the production may be submitted within the audition form itself.

ABOUT CENTER PLAYERS

Center Players, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community theater organization dedicated to enriching and entertaining the diverse community it serves through the performing arts. Founded in 1996 in Freehold, the organization provides local actors, directors, and creative talent with opportunities to pursue their craft in a supportive, inclusive environment. Center Players is committed to accessibility, welcoming individuals with disabilities as audience members, performers, and members of the production crew. Beyond traditional productions, the group fosters community connection through free monthly play readings, group tours, and collaborative partnerships with local businesses and charitable organizations. The company is currently seeking a new permanent playhouse location as it continues its long-standing tradition of producing theater in Freehold and the greater Monmouth County area.