Audition Materials

For the A Party to Murder auditions, you will read two monologues.

You may either choose one of the monologues/dialogue below and bring one of your own monologues, or you may read two monologues/dialogue provided below.

Kay Chandler Monologue

In this monologue, try to show how Kay’s attitude toward Francine shifts from start to 

end. Picturing Francine’s reaction to how Kay talks to Penny when she enters 

might help you achieve this.

Kay Chandler: Yes, Miss Francine. I’ll see to it, Miss Francine. But- well, if I may be so bold, do you think it wise to be holding a birthday celebration at a time like this? Do you really think everyone is in the mood to celebrate, what with everything that has happened? I realize you have been planning this for months, but even Ann- Oh! Miss Penny! I didn’t see you come in. I just want to wish you a very happy birthday, Miss Penny. Norah and I have been hard at work preparing everything for your party, and we can’t wait for it to start! I’ll be getting back to my duties now… Miss Fran.

Dr. Martin Fenwick Monologue

This monologue is open to your interpretation of it. 

Dr. Martin Fenwick: A pleasure to meet you, Miss Phelps. I’ve heard from Kay that you are an English teacher? Fascinating! You know, my mother writes the occasional essay for the Connecticut Post. She just did a piece on Hemingway’s bland use of prose, and- What’s that? You say Hemingway is one of your favorites? Oh dear… We’ll have to sit you down with old Mrs. Fenwick and have everyone listen in on your friendly little debate. Ah! And in walks Mr. Schaeffer! Constance- may I call you by your first name, Miss Phelps? Splendid! Connie, that man over there is Jeffery Schaeffer. Careful with him, though; he’ll call you his friend before you’ve time to even make his acquaintance!

Francine Bentley and Inspector Holbrook Dialogue

If you choose to perform this dialogue for your audition, you will choose to read for either 

Francine Bentley or Inspector Holbrook. For example, if you choose to read for Inspector Holbrook, you will start by saying “What is your name?” Then you will wait an appropriate amount of time to say your next line, as if an invisible person were reading for Francine and said “You already know my name, Holbrook.” The same is true if you are reading for Francine: pretend an invisible person is reading for Inspector Holbrook.

The reason for the dialogue you are not reading being silent is that it should be evident what is being said by the other character based on your facial expressions and body language. We want to see your interpretation of both of these characters, even though you are only reading for one.

Holbrook: What is your name?

Francine: You already know my name, Holbrook.

Holbrook: I just need you to state your name. For legal reasons.

Francine: Francine Bentley. Legal reasons? You don’t mean to say-

Holbrook: Fran, I have to gather and record information from everyone, even people I don’t suspect. Think of it as piecing together a puzzle. Now-

Francine: Have you already interrogated Kay?

Holbrook: I- Yes, I have. You seem to be very protective of her.

Francine: She is under my care, Inspector.

Holbrook: Right. You were the one who phoned the police after the incident, right?

Francine: Yes, I was. It was the first thing I did when the lights came back. I was afraid the storm would mess with the phone too, but thankfully I got through. And then you showed up, Holbrook. 

Holbrook: Rather good timing on my part, wasn’t it?

(Francine does not respond)

Holbrook: When the lights went out, do you recall who was in the room?

Francine: Well, there was myself, Ann, Jeffery, Dr. Martin, Miss Dupree-

Holbrook: Kay?

Francine: Yes. Kay was in the room.

Holbrook: And she was one of the first to discover the body?

Francine: Yes. Yes she was, Inspector.