• Auditions are virtual. Record an audio file or send a video if you do not know how to record audio only. Send the file to [email protected] or upload at http://spotlight.mywire.org/
• Auditions are due by Oct. 11
• The performance will be recorded in front of a live audience for a live Broadcast on Spotlight Radio. Saturday, Oct 24. 6pm-10pm. (Mic checks start at 6pm. Broadcast starts a 7pm.)
• The program will air again (unedited) on Spotlight Radio at different times Oct. 26-31
• There is one virtual rehearsal on Wednesday Oct. 21 for director’s notes. 7:30pm-10pm

Here are the roles and audition monologues.  Please read for any and all parts you are interested in.

• NARRATOR (May be split among more than one person – IT’S A LOT!)

Audition – “ The dominant spirit, however, that haunts this enchanted region, and seems to be commander-in-chief of all the powers of the air, is the apparition of a figure on horseback, without a head. It is said by some to be the ghost of a Hessian (heh Shn) trooper, whose head had been carried away by a cannon-ball, in some nameless battle during the Revolutionary War, and who is ever and anon seen by the country folk hurrying along in the gloom of night, as if on the wings of the wind. His haunts are not confined to the valley, but extend at times to the adjacent roads, and especially to the vicinity of a church at no great distance. Indeed, certain of the most authentic historians of those parts, who have been careful in collecting and collating the floating facts concerning this spectre, allege that the body of the trooper having been buried in the churchyard, the ghost rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head, and that the rushing speed with which he sometimes passes along the Hollow, like a midnight blast, is owing to his being belated, and in a hurry to get back to the churchyard before daybreak.”

• BALTUS VAN TASSEL – Old Baltus Van Tassel was a perfect picture of a thriving, contented, liberal-hearted farmer. He seldom, it is true, sent either his eyes or his thoughts beyond the boundaries of his own farm; but within those everything was snug, happy and well-conditioned. He was satisfied with his wealth, but not proud of it; and piqued himself upon the hearty abundance, rather than the style in which he lived.

Audition – “You should find all you need in the schoolhouse, but should you happen to need anything please let me know. You will be paid the first of each month and you will be boarded with a different family each week as to not impose too long on any household. I advise traveling light and leaving the majority of your belongings at the schoolhouse. You will board at my house this first week. Follow me.“

• MRS VAN TASSEL – The wife of Baltus and keeper of Sleepy Hollows social circle. A withered little dame of small stature, with a bigger heart than her small frame could possible hold.

Audition – “Welcome to our home Schoolmaster. I hope you don’t mind the reception, but many were eager to meet you… Baltus loves Katrina with all his heart, but never do I remember him rocking her cradle.“

• ICHABOD CRANE – The appearance of Crane was not inapplicable to his person. He was tall, but exceedingly lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves, feet that might have served for shovels, and his whole frame most loosely hung together. His head was small, and flat at top, with huge ears, large green glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose, so that it looked like a weather-cock perched upon his spindle neck to tell which way the wind blew. To see him striding along the profile of a hill on a windy day, with his clothes bagging and fluttering about him, one might have mistaken him for some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield.

Audition – “I have taken many delights with every family who has hosted me and the Van Hudson’s are no exception, but I have not sat at a single table more palatable than that of Van Tassel… As I hear tell it, The Headless Horseman is the ghost of a Hessian trooper who lost his head in battle to a cannonball. Each night he comes from his grave by the church and rides, searching for his missing head. ” 

• KATRINA VAN TASSEL – the daughter and only child of Baltus Van Tassel. She was a blooming lass of fresh eighteen; plump as a partridge; ripe and melting and rosy-cheeked as one of her father’s peaches, and universally famed, not merely for her beauty, but her vast expectations. She was withal a little of a coquette, as might be perceived even in her dress, which was a mixture of ancient and modern fashions, as most suited to set off her charms. She wore the ornaments of pure yellow gold, which her great-great-grandmother had brought over from Saardam; the tempting stomacher of the olden time, and withal a provokingly short petticoat, to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round. 

Audition – “I brought you the music for this Sunday and Mother sent you some sweet treats. We know the Van Hudsons do not enjoy sweets as much as you. How has your stay been?…. Now you never mind Brom Bones. I am not afraid of him.”

• BROM BONES – Brom Van Brunt, the hero of the country round, which rang with his feats of strength and hardihood. He was broad-shouldered and double-jointed, with short curly black hair, having a mingled air of fun and arrogance. From his Herculean frame and great powers of limb he had received the nickname of BROM BONES, by which he was universally known. He was famed for great knowledge and skill in horsemanship, being as dexterous on horseback as a Tartar. He was always ready for either a fight or a frolic; but had more mischief than ill-will in his composition; and with all his overbearing roughness, there was a strong dash of waggish good humor at bottom..

Audition – “Who might you be, stranger?…  Well, then that changes things, let me show you the way to the Schoolhouse… Enough Yost! I believe we should get back to mending that fence. Good day Mr. Van Tassel, and welcome to Sleepy Hollow Mr. Crane. ”

• YOST VAN HOUTEN – A scrappy looking lad although he might not appear so if not constantly glued to the side of the huge, Brom Bones whom he regards as his model

• EXTRAS
  • HILDA
  • GRETA
  • MRS VAN HUDSON
  • INDIAN CHIEF (GHOST)
  • WITCH
  • ETC

Audition – “Such is the general purport of this legendary superstition, which has furnished materials for many a wild story in that region of shadows; and the spectre is known at all the country firesides, by the name of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.”

• Auditions are virtual. Record an audio file or send a video if you do not know how to record audio only. Send the file to [email protected] or upload at http://spotlight.mywire.org/
• The performance will be recorded in front of a live audience for a live Broadcast on Spotlight Radio. Friday, Oct 23. 6pm-10pm. (Mic checks start at 6pm. Broadcast starts a 7pm.)
• Auditions due by Oct 4
• The program will air again (unedited) on Spotlight Radio at different times Oct. 26-31
• There is one virtual rehearsal on Monday Oct. 19 for director’s notes. 7:30pm-10pm
• Based on the original 2016 version, not the 2018 revision with additional characters.

Here are the roles and audition monologues.  I do not wish to be unfair, but I have spoken with past actors who are interested in repeating roles.  This is favorable due to the short schedule, but nothing is set in stone. Please read for any and all parts you are interested in.

• EVERETT MASON – A simple elderly man with no heirs who has carried the family secret too long and wants to share it before he dies.

Audition – “Some educated folks claim people’s fascination with Vampires go all the way back to the ancient Greeks.  Maybe so, demons have always walked among us, but I’m not here to share ancient myths.  I’m gonna tell you as it is, as it was, as it has been passed down through the Christian family for 5 generations.  Back to my Great, Great Grandmother Sarah, who experienced it all.   “

• SHERRIFF PLEASANT BROADDUS – A keeper of the peace, Pleasant lives up to his name by going easy on offenders when possible. He looks for the bright side in situations and people. Even he has his limits though, and he will quickly spring into action when required.

Audition – “I noticed Sarah was laying on the Ghost stories pretty thick lately.  I don’t believe in such nonsense, so I went down to the graveyard and sat there all night just to see why Sarah was getting everyone so spooked.  …..(What did you hear?)  Screaming, thumping and scratching. It was faint at first, but I tracked it to the recent grave of one of the Taylor’s.  As I laid on the ground and pressed my ear to the soil I could hear it all.  I laid on 5 other graves that night all with the same result. “

• REVEREND WESLEY – A British minister and former saddleback preacher, Wesley ministered to the American wild west before returning to England where he stumbled into a great conspiracy.

Audition – “Yes, yes, it is quite overwhelming.  I’ll start with my story.  I returned to England after a long time traveling the west.  I needed to earn wages, so I took a job with the church, mostly counseling those in need, but occasionally running the odd errand.  One day the Priest informed me that I was to visit a property once owned by the Church, but not for many years.  It was being donated back to the Church and I was to assess its current condition. When I arrived at Carfax Abby I discovered two gentlemen looking at a hole in the ground.  It was as if someone decided to take the floor of the room with them when they left.  The gentlemen were startled by my presence at first, but upon learning I was there for the Church they introduced themselves as Dr. Seward and Professor Van Helsing. We exchanged pleasantries and they left with haste.  As fate would have it the next day I was sent to spiritually council an asylum patient.  I was much delighted to be greeted by Dr. Seward at the asylum.  He wanted me to try to comfort a patient named Renfield whom he said had recently experienced a tragic loss.  Only when I arrived at the cell, Renfield was missing and the Doctor began to panic.  Before being escorted out I was left in Renfield’s cell long enough to witness the bars to the outer window were bent.  Upon further inspection there were not obvious signs of tool marks. I’ve been out west and I have seen my share of jail breaks.  This break was not typical at all.  The Doctor dismissed me and I returned to the church with lots of questions.” 

• ROBERT CHRISTIAN – A model citizen and respected neighbor, Robert has tried to better himself and his family through education and hard work despite his mountain roots.  Robert is a spiritual man, but has little tolerance for the Church. 

Audition – “Berea College did not want to invest in forest property at this time, but Professor Mason believes in the project so strongly he is purchasing land with his own funds, He has his eye on the East Pinnacle and Indian Fort Mountain.  I think they would be great neighbors, besides you like academics.    Not all academic types are bad, however, I would agree that some majors are better than others.”

• R.M. RENFIELD – Two men in one body.  The friendly and caring neighbor R.M. soon turns to the sadistic lunatic Renfield after hearing his master’s call.

Audition – (Country American Accent) “Oh, Rev, you must be tired or something.  You remember us talking at Kerby Knob about how us Christians should all unite and you told stories about England. Thank you Sarah, you sure are a lucky man Robert, but I need to be going.”

Audition – (Sadistic, British Low class) “ The Blood! The Blood! The Blood is the life! I remember! I remember! I remember why we are going to kill you all! (Has a sudden look of panic) No, no, master.  I wasn’t going to say anything.  I told them nothing.  I’m loyal to you, master. Dracula?  I never even heard the name before. Oh, no.  God will not damn a lunatic’s soul.  He knows that the powers of evil are too great for those of us with weak minds.”

• COUNT DRACULA – The same Count recorded in numerous stories.  This version keeps close to the original and tries to conduct his evil in a remarkably gentlemen like fashion.

Audition – “I bid you welcome, to my home.  Enter freely of your own will.  The night air is chill and you must need to rest.  …..   Listen to them…children of the night.  What music they make!  You have done well Renfield.  ….  You plot against me. You are not the first. Your persistence is admirable and you have set back my plans, but you will fail in the end, just like all the others. I’ll retreat, for now, to sleep. Enjoy your short pathetic lives. When I wake in 100 years I’ll be sure to check-in on your offspring.  (Laugh)”

• SILAS MASON – A Berea College professor who has a goal to preserve the mountain forests before they are all disturbed.  His work and travels leave little time for his family, but he does deeply love them despite his often inability to show it.

Audition – “ His manner is quite different, I’ll give you that, but he has a valid point.  Why just the other day I heard a lady bellowing out at her child, “Get away from that creek or you’ll drowned!” and I thought to myself, how will the child ever learn to swim if it is not permitted to ever be near water. … Reverend, the sun is about to set. ….Tom, we cannot tell anyone what has happened here.  Those that will not think us mad will think us murderers.” 

• THOMAS (TOM) MASON – The teenage son of Silas, Tom is the boy every girl in area has her eye on, but he has already picked his bride to be. Tom is charismatic and a natural leader.

Audition – “Then how did it spread in other the homes at night?  We lost the entire Taylor family one night. How? …..You can’t drag a body all the way to Lexington! … That’s a fair statement.  I’ll give you that much. Alright, we’ll help,  but you’re not cutting the poor girls head off!  Mary, you get Katie to let us borrow her dad’s wagon a couple of days.  Jud we will need Bucky to help pull.  I’ll get Old Grey.

• JUDAS (JUD) – Perceived as not very bright, this country teenage boy has a wealth of mountain knowledge that he uses mostly to get into trouble. He was dealt a hard blow at a young age when his parents died.  Neighbors took him in, but he receives very little support.

Audition – “I’z up Big Hill and ran into R.M. on my way back. That’s all. … I been on my own since I’z 15 and I’ve been trappin my own food for a long time now. … I been on my own since I’z 15 and I’ve been trappin my own food for a long time now. We are gonna dig that girl back up.  (MARY gasps) I heard of man up at Lexington at the Transylvania college that studies this sort of thing. …..I’m not gonna. I’m gonna to cut her head off above the shoulders.

• OLIVIA – Little is known about who Olivia is or where she came from.  She is turned to Vampirism, but finds her humanity again through the love of a child.

Audition – I saved her existence. You can still save her life if you act quickly.  From becoming like them… like me. Kill the Master.  She has not fed on blood yet. Kill the Master and stop the curse. It’s too late for me. I took your daughter from you.  I am sorry, but I am returning her.  (pulls Silas’s sword from Sadie) I can only hope God will forgive me. (Draws sword back to stab herself)

• SARAH CHRISTIAN – Brilliant, a naturally talented, well read, and self-taught scientist and medicine woman.   Robert’s wife.

Audition – “President Frost down at the Berea College has published many papers on Appalachia and there is a growing national interest in our culture and traditions.  He seems well intentioned, but I am not very happy hearing us described as “religious, truthful, hospitable, and much addicted to killing one another.”, but did have the good sense to hire Professor Silas Mason….

Professor Mason believes Count Dracula’s knowledge of this area is much older than its recent popularity.  He remembers having a conversation with Dracula about the Pilot Knob property, not long after his arrival. He found it odd when Dracula quoted Daniel Boone, “we stood on the top of Pilot Knob and saw with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucky. This land is replete with wild, rugged mountains; rushing torrents, which meet with cliffs to make majestic waterfalls; romantic woods; glens; palisades; and the calmly rolling meadowlands.” …

Regardless of how Count Dracula learned of us, the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania are similar to those of Appalachia, so much so, this entire area was called the Transylvania colony until 1792.  There is even a college in Lexington that still bears Transylvania as its name.  This is the best guess we have as to what led him to our home and into our lives and this is when our chapter in this centuries long story begins.  It was October of 1898.”

• MAUDE MASON – Maude has raised her children practically alone, while her husband Silas travels and works.  She has become bitter and stays frustrated at the children for seemingly loving their father more than her despite his absence.

Audition – What has gotten into you, child?  Stop than. I said stop that! Young lady I’ve have just about enough of this.  (Raises her hand as to slap the child. Silas enters. She lowers her hand to grab the child’s neck and notices to wounds.)  What happened to you? Silas look at this! Your crazy imagination is what is fueling her behavior. You professors are all the same. Spoiled brats who never had to leave school and function in the real world. 

• PHOEBE MASON – A young girl age 7-9. The daughter of Silas and Maude, even though her motives are justifiable, this seemingly sweet and innocent girl becomes a brutal killer.

Audition – “I love you too Olivia.  Most grownups are no fun. … But why mommy? Night is when I feel alive….. Come closer and I’ll show you. (The mother bends to the child when suddenly the child lunges forward and bites her mother on the neck.  Silas pulls the girl away as she fights to get loose.) …. Sorry that he finds you unworthy of the gift.  I tried my best. 

• MARY CHRISTIAN – Sarah and Robert’s only child, Mary is the beautiful apple of Tom’s eye, and is as smart as her mother.

Audition – “You may look like a man and talk like a man now, but you are nothing but the vile monster that crawled out of that crypt.  We would never join you or choose to be like you. You are evil, you lack the capacity for kindness… Because..because…I love him. You said you would not harm us and hurting him will do me grave harm.”

• KATHERINE (KATIE) BROADDUS – Katie is the Sherriff’s teenage daughter and Mary’s best friend. Katie is friendly enough, but as tough as her father when it comes time to take action.

Audition – “He is afraid of the sickness going around and wanted to take the body up to the Transylvania college to have it examined. Papa, I’m freezing.  Give me the knife back and Ill cut the slack, so he can’t reach it. Opps, I suppose I did cut you. You’ll want to wash his filthy blood off of this knife, Mr. Christian. (Holds the knife in front of RM’s face.) 

• EVA – This Vampiress is evil to the core.  She has, but one goal, to feed on others.

Audition – That was rude. Why? Do you fear us? Thomas, come to me. (He starts to move)

• SADIE – Just like her “sister” Sadie shares in blood lust and will stoop to any level to feed her desires.

Audition – I generous gift Master. …The law man heard our sisters calling out and left them trapped.  Why don’t you like us? 

• BISHOP – Romanian Bishop representing the Catholic Church in Vlad’s court.

Audition – Elizabeth is dead. A message was delivered, it carried news of your death and the oncoming hordes to overtake the castle.  She could not be consoled. She refused to be taken a prisoner and paraded as a trophy by the Sultan.  She leaped from the castle walls into the river. God will show you no mercy now! Elizabeth has taken her own life.  Her soul cannot be saved.  She is forever damned. 

The Spotlight Playhouse is a community theater at its very heart.  We regularly host open auditions with a mission to help make the arts accessible to everyone while maintaining our mission to help support and house the programs of the Spotlight Acting School.

All auditions for the Spotlight Players and The Bluegrass Players are open to the community.

Chad Hembree, Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse serves as the administrator for both groups and will gladly answer any questions you might have about joining the groups.

The Spotlight Acting School is a  tuition-based performing arts school with a mission to turn no students away by providing financial aid and trade opportunities for students and families.

Learn more about The  Spotlight Players & The Bluegrass Players 

Learn more about Spotlight Acting School

Scroll down for upcoming audition opportunities.