UPCOMING AUDITIONS

Virginia Stage Company follows Actor's Equity policy regarding casting for both Equity and non-Equity contracts with regards to diversity: Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.

Please join our Audition Email list below the FAQ and don't miss any audition announcements!

Virginia Stage Company strives for an inclusive creative work environment and actively embraces a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We highly encourage people of color, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups to audition.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Norfolk Local Auditions

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

By Mark Shanahan

Directed by Bruce Warren

Sunday, September 27, 2026  12:30PM - 6:30PM (EST) By Appointment Only
(Equity and Non-Equity appointments accepted)

Callbacks : Monday, September 28, 2026 1:00PM - 9:00PM (EST)
at Virginia Stage Company (108 E. Tazewell Street)

The Virginia Stage Company is holding in-person NORFOLK LOCAL Auditions for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd with Resident Casting Director, Emel Ertugrul

Request an audition appointment completing this form: Murder of Roger Ackroyd NORFOLK LOCAL Audition Request Form
OR
by emailing auditions@vastage.org with the subject “ Murder of Roger Ackroyd NORFOLK LOCAL Audition ” please include:
1) role(s) for which you are auditioning
2) headshot/resume if you have it (not required to make appointment)
You will receive a return email confirming your assigned time slot.

Video Audition Submissions will also be accepted. Use this form Murder of Roger Ackroyd VIDEO Audition or Email video viewing link (NO FILES) to auditions@vastage.org
Subject: “ Murder of Roger Ackroyd VIDEO Audition ” Please include what Role(s) you are auditioning for.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Adapted for the stage by Mark Shanahan
From the novel by Agatha Christie

Directed by Bruce Warren

January 20 - February 7, 2027
1st Rehearsal:  January 1, 2027
Opening: January 20, 2027
Closing: February 7, 2027

When a wealthy man is found dead in his country estate, every guest, neighbor, and family member becomes a suspect. Enter the brilliant, and slightly eccentric, detective Hercule Poirot, who begins unraveling a web of secrets, lies, and motives hiding just beneath the surface. It’s a classic whodunit filled with twists, surprises, and the kind of theatrical suspense that keeps audiences leaning forward in their seats. Agathie Christie, and murder, remain timeless.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Rehearsals:  Friday, January 1 - Thursday, January 14
Tech: Friday, January 15 - Sunday, January 17
Previews: Wednesday, January 20 - Friday, January 22
Performances:  Saturday, January 23 - Sunday, February 7
Full Performance Schedule (subject to change)

For the audition:

WHAT TO PREPARE:Please refer to character descriptions for corresponding sides. 

General note: All actors should be familiar with the original novel and/or the play, and have a good sense of Agatha Christie's world & these types of characters. 

Seeking:

Dr. James Sheppard (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 40s – 50s,) Our narrator. The local doctor for King’s Abbot. Affable, smart and a good storyteller. A self-described “old fogey.” He makes himself available to others and knows everyone in town. (Sheppard Packet)

Caroline Sheppard (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s – 60s) The nosey older sister of James. She prizes gossip above all else and uses it to her advantage whether it is correct or not. She has a fun sense of humor and a gleam in her eye. (Caroline Packet)

Hercule Poirot (Male Presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s – 60s) The Belgian detective, in retirement. A brilliant mind who sees every detail, and has a strong sense of moral justice. (Poirot Packet)

Gertude Ackroyd (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s – 60s) Roger Ackroyd’s eccentric sister-in-law and mother to Flora. Flamboyant and overbearing, she resents her dependence on Roger Ackroyd. Often at odds with her daughter and the house staff and house guests. She seems to have a bit of a crush on Dr. Sheppard. (Gertrude Packet)

Inspector Raglan (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity,40s – 50s) An Inspector from Cranchester. Not the best of the lot, though seemingly well intentioned. But why can’t he see the obvious? (Raglan Packet)

Additional Cast:
Flora Ackroyd (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 20s – 30s) Roger Ackroyd’s niece. Young, beautiful and willful. Though she has lived a life of privilege, she and her mother have fallen on hard times. She appears to have a warm and generous nature, though can turn suddenly cold when confronted. (Flora Packet)

Major Hector Blunt (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s – 60s) A big game hunter and friend of Roger Ackroyd’s who has come to stay at Fernly. A man who has lived all over the world, he believes he understands human nature better than anyone at Fernly. (Major Blunt Packet)

Helen Russell (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 40s – 50s). Roger Ackroyd’s personal secretary. A stern and tight-lipped woman. She controls Ackroyd’s personal and business affairs with a steady hand, while keeping secrets of her own. She might seem to some as cold and curt in her interactions, but she has an emotional side boiling beneath the surface. (Miss Russell Packet)

Ursula Bourne (Female-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 20s – 30s) A young maid at Fernly. She possesses a strong backbone. Though often outspoken, she keeps much to herself and knows more about the comings and goings at Fernly than she is willing to admit. (Ursula Packet)

Parker (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity) The butler at Fernly Hall. He is proper and seemingly meek at first glance. The job is everything to him, or so it seems. He often appears underfoot when you least expect him. (Parker Packet)

Ralph Paton (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, late 20s – 30s) Young and handsome, Ralph is Ackroyd’s foster son. Wild, with a restless past, Ralph is a bit of a loner and hates his status as the ne’er-do-well foster child of a wealthy man. (Ralph Packet)

Roger Ackroyd (Male-presenting, Any Race or Ethnicity, 50s – 60s) The wealthy businessman and lord of Fernly Hall. Ackroyd is an emotional man and the center of much attention in the town of King’s Abbot. (Roger Packet)

Virginia Stage Company strives for an inclusive creative work environment and actively embraces a diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We highly encourage people of color, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups to audition.

Request an audition appointment completing this form: Murder of Roger Ackroyd NORFOLK LOCAL Audition Request Form
OR
by emailing auditions@vastage.org with the subject “ Murder of Roger Ackroyd NORFOLK LOCAL Audition ” please include:
1) role(s) for which you are auditioning
2) headshot/resume if you have it (not required to make appointment)
You will receive a return email confirming your assigned time slot.

Video Audition Submissions will also be accepted. Use this form Murder of Roger Ackroyd VIDEO Audition or Email video viewing link (NO FILES) to auditions@vastage.org
Subject: “ Murder of Roger Ackroyd VIDEO Audition ” Please include what Role(s) you are auditioning for.