Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
Directed by: Shauna Kiefiuk
Auditions: June 23, 24, 25 (callbacks)
Audition Information
Performances: September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28; October 2, 3, 4, 2025
A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles’ shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati. As everyone’s personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed. She “passes over” and joins Elvira, allowing the two “blithe spirits” to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity. (Concord Theatricals).
Directors
Shauna Kiefiuk has been involved with ACT since 2002. Previously, she has directed Charley’s Aunt, The Dinner Party, The Unexpected Guest, Rabbit Hole, The Butler Did It, The Odd Couple and Independence. Shauna has been onstage in several shows as well as musicals. She was the assistant director for Fat Pig, Hay Fever, The Game’s Afoot and A Little Piece of Heaven. Shauna is also the Properties Manager.
Director’s email: shauna.kiefiuk@albanycivic.org
Auditions
Open auditions for Blithe Spirit will be held at Albany Civic Theater on Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24 from 7:30 – 10 PM. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Auditioners should plan to attend BOTH nights; if you can’t make it to both nights, please contact director Shauna Kiefiuk at shauna.kiefiuk@albanycivic.org
Please come a few minutes early to fill out an audition form, or print one out and bring it already filled out (linked below). Minors auditioning for this show will need to fill out the minor audition form (individuals 16 and up can audition). If you have one, feel free to bring an acting resume with you to attach to your audition form. Bring a full list of your conflicts June 26 – October 5 to share with the directing staff, weekends included.
Please be sure to review the audition form and audition letter linked below with attention to detail for relevant information, including important dates:
Audition form (for adults): https://tinyurl.com/Blithe-
Audition form (for minors): https://tinyurl.com/Blithe-
Audition letter: https://tinyurl.com/Blithe-
What to expect:
MONDAY & TUESDAY: Doors open at 6:45 PM. Auditions start at 7:30 PM. Stretching warm ups, reading sides. Your name will be called and as well as the name of the character you will be reading for. You will pick up a side (or excerpt from the script) to read. Once you are done, you will return the side and then sit back down until you are called again. Those reading for Madame Arcati might also be asked to do some light movement activity.
WEDNESDAY: Callbacks by invitation only. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Auditions start at 7:30 PM.
About the show:
A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles’ shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati. As everyone’s personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed. She “passes over” and joins Elvira, allowing the two “blithe spirits” to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity.
Cast of characters:
Ruth Condomine – female presenting, 30-40: Wife, sensible, sophisticated, witty, predictable, well-mannered, prudish.
Charles Condomine – male presenting, 35-45: Novelist, writer, husband, cynical, sarcastic, irresponsible, confused.
Elvira Condomine – female presenting, 35-45: Wife, deceased, ghost, spirit, cynical, sarcastic, naughty, argumentative, passionate, wild, carefree.
Edith – female presenting, 20-35: Maid, psychic, nervous, worried, naïve, young.
Dr. George Bradman – male presenting, 40-55: Doctor, skeptical, worried, friend, loyal, kind.
Mrs. Violet Bradman – female presenting, 35-50: Wife, sweet, excitable, simple, naïve.
Madame Arcati – female presenting, 45-65: Spiritualist, medium, eccentric, enthusiastic, effusive, patient, boisterous.
“Blithe Spirit” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Cast of Characters
Ruth Condomine: FP 30-40; Wife, sensible, sophisticated, witty,
predictable, well-mannered, prudish
Charles Condomine: MP 35-45; Novelist, writer, husband, cynical,
sarcastic, irresponsible, confused
Elvira Condomine: FP 35-45: Wife, deceased, ghost, spirit, cynical,
sarcastic, naughty, argumentative, passionate, wild, carefree
Edith: FP 20-35; Maid, psychic, nervous, worried, naïve, young
Dr. George Bradman: MP 40-55; Doctor, skeptical, worried, friend, loyal, kind
Mrs. Violet Bradman: FP 35-50; Wife, sweet, excitable, simple, naïve
Madame Arcati: FP 45-65; Spiritualist, medium, eccentric,
enthusiastic, effusive, patient, boisterous