Please read this information carefully—there are a lot of details and answers to many questions included below. If you have any additional questions, please email [email protected]. SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY Act I​
: Jack Worthing comes to visit his friend Algernon Moncrieff, who is preparing to receive his aunt, Lady Bracknell, and her daughter, Gwendolen, for tea. Jack has come to town especially to propose to Gwendolen, under the name he has always used in town, Ernest. Algernon, however, has found a cigarette case left there by “Ernest” which has inscribed inside it “To my Uncle Jack, from little Cecily.” In exchange for Algernon promising to distract Lady Bracknell so that Jack may get some time alone to propose to Gwendolen, Jack explains that he goes by Ernest in the city and Jack in the county, so that, when in the country, he may pretend to have a ne’er­do­well brother named Ernest, whom he is forever flying to the rescue of. Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen arrive, and Algy gives Jack the opening he was looking for. Gwendolen agrees to marry, stating that she always knew she would marry someone called Ernest, and in fact could not love someone who was not called Ernest. Jack and Gwendolen announce their engagement, but Lady Bracknell, after hearing that Jack was abandoned in a handbag in Victoria station and has no knowledge of his parentage, does not approve. Gwendolen returns briefly and vows to meet Jack in the country; Algernon takes note of the country address and begins to scheme. Act II:​
Meanwhile, in the country, Jack’s ward, Cecily, is taking lessons with Miss Prism. Dr. Chasuble, the minister, has stopped by. Just when Cecily has convinced the two of them to take a walk together, Merriman comes in to announce that Ernest Worthing has arrived. This is, of course, Algernon, posing as Jack’s “brother” Ernest. Cecily and Algy start flirting nearly immediately, until Jack returns, dressed as in deep mourning. He has decided to “kill off” his brother Ernest, but is rather shocked to find “Ernest” there at the house, healthy and charming and wooing his young ward. Jack sends Algy away, but not before he and Cecily also have a conversation about how much Cecily has always wanted to marry someone named Ernest... Gwendolen has followed Jack down to his country house, and meets Cecily upon arrival. This results in some confusion, as they both profess to be engaged to Ernest Worthing. This confusion is dispelled when the two gentlemen show up, but is redoubled when they reveal that neither of them is in fact named Ernest. The two ladies break off their respective engagements, and Algernon consoles himself with muffins. Act III​
: Cecily and Gwendolen decide to speak to Algernon and Jack about why they did what they did, and the gentlemen both agree to be re­christened “Ernest” at the earliest possible date. Lady Bracknell shows up in pursuit of Gwendolen, and attempts to end the engagement, while quite approving of Cecily and agreeing to the engagement of her nephew Algernon with her. Jack says that he, Cecily’s guardian, will refuse his consent unless Lady Bracknell approves of his own marriage; she will have none of it. Reverend Chasuble re­enters, ready to perform the christenings. He mentions Miss Prism, whose name Lady Bracknell professes to recognize. Miss Prism enters, clearly terrified of Lady Bracknell, who interrogates her about the whereabouts of a certain baby. It is then revealed that Prism years ago inadvertently placed an infant into a handbag rather than a perambulator, and left the bag in a train station quite by accident. Jack goes upstairs and produces the handbag, thus proving that he is, in fact, Algernon’s long­lost older brother. Further research reveals that he was named after his father, who was named…Ernest. The couples ­ including Chasuble and Prism ­ are thus united at last, and thus does Jack finally learn the vital importance of being Ernest. CHARACTERS John Worthing, J.P​
. (30s­40s)­ A gentleman of curious origins who calls himself Ernest when it is convenient; in love with Gwendolen Algernon Moncrieff​
(30s­40s)­ A rather frivolous upper­class fellow who calls himself Ernest when it is convenient; really likes eating Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D​
.(40s­50s) ­ An upright celibate nonetheless given to poetry; enamored of Miss Prism Merriman, Butler (40s­50s)​
­ Servant in Cecily’s home Lane, Manservant​
(40s­50s)­ a dry and highly correct fellow Lady Augusta Bracknell (40s­50s)​
­ Algernon’s aunt, a lady of stentorian aspect and fearsome propriety Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax​
(20s­30s)­ daughter of Lady Bracknell, a young lady of high, if fanciful, ideals; in love with Jack (Ernest) Cecily Cardew​
(20s­30s)­ a somewhat vain but innocent young lady; in love with her imagination of Ernest Miss Prism, Governess (40s­50s)​
­ a most proper and restrained woman; has a terrible secret Other servants – ​
as many as four; non­speaking, but will act as part of the crew, vital to choreographed scene changes. PREPARATION ​
A one­ to two­minute comedic monologue (classical or contemporary) is requested, but not required. The sides to be used in auditions are available on our website and you are encouraged to review them. You may be interested in preparing sides for one or two characters, but the director may ask you to read for a different character as well; please don’t be surprised if this happens (or doesn’t happen). The production will be performed in various British accents (reflecting the characters' differences in class and place of origin). For the purposes of the auditions and call­backs, however, actors are asked not to be sidetracked by that. If you are comfortable with your British accent, please use it. If you feel it gets in your way, however, please feel no pressure to do so. If you are using an accent and are asked to discontinue it, please don't let that throw you off. Accents will in no way determine the director's casting decisions. There will be plenty of dialect coaching for everyone throughout the rehearsal process. AUDITIONS​
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. If you have not filled out an audition form in advance, extra copies will be available. Headshots and resumes are not required, though gratefully received if you have them. Auditions will last approximately an hour. We understand that auditions are nerve­wracking—we want you to relax, have fun, and have every opportunity to show us what you can do. If you get inspiration to read for another character and have not been asked to do so, don’t feel shy to speak up. We will do our best to see as much of your work as possible. CALL­BACKS ​
Some actors ​
may ​
be called back to read again on Thursday, August 27. If called back, you will receive an email to that effect no later than 9am on the morning following your audition. If you are not called back, this does not necessarily mean that you are not being considered for the cast. NOTIFICATION ​
Casting decisions will be issued by noon on Saturday, August 29. Please make sure that your contact information is legible. If you have not heard from us by that time, please email [email protected] READ­THRU ​
The first reading of the play will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, September 9 at Unity Somerville. REHEARSALS ​
Rehearsals will take place at Unity Somerville or other nearby locations (always announced well in advance) on Tuesdays­Thursdays, 7­10pm, starting on Thursday, September 10. Not all actors will be required to attend all rehearsals; a more detailed schedule will be released within one week of the read­through. CONFLICTS ​
Please be sure to indicate all potential conflicts on the calendar on the back of the Audition Sheet. Every attempt will be made to accommodate conflicts, but once the schedule is set, it is very hard to adjust it. If you do not have your calendar available at auditions, you may email ​
[email protected] with additional conflict information. WORK DAYS​
Actors are expected to attend two work days during the rehearsal period to participate in the construction of set, costumes, props, etc. These will be held on Saturday afternoons at Unity Somerville. If you are not available for work days, the Technical Director will be happy to discuss other ways and times that you can help. PERFORMANCES ​
Opening night will be Friday, November 6, at 8pm. Additional performances will take place on November 7, 12­14, 19, and 20, all at 8pm; and the closing show will be on Sunday, November 21, at 2pm. All performances will take place at Unity Church, 6 William Street, Somerville. CREW​
If you would like to join the technical crew and/or support staff of ​
Earnest, ​
please make note of that on your audition form. We are happy to train you, but if you have any special skills please let us know. Our producer or a technical lead will contact you regarding participation. FEEDBACK​
We try to make our auditions as smooth and pleasant as possible. If you have comments or questions regarding the process, please speak to one of our staff, or email ​
[email protected] Thank you very much for auditioning for Theatre@First. Vickie Wu
Producer, ​
The Importance of Being Earnest
Ron Lacey Director; Kamela Dolinova Assistant Director, The Importance of Being Earnest