Director: Avery Morstan
Producer: Cassandra Redding
Stage Manager/Sound Designer: Aaron Skolnik

Performances:

June 12-28, 2026 with a total of nine (9) performances. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Rehearsals will take place at various city-owned locations within the City of Gaithersburg. Performances will take place at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. No conflicts with show dates will be accepted.

Auditions will be held on Monday, March 23rd and Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 from 7:00-9:30pm at the Benjamin Gaither Center. Call backs, if invited, will be Thursday, March 26th.

Audition Location*

Benjamin Gaither Center
80A Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
*Please note that this location from historical MP audition sites.

Casting performers ages 15+. All roles are open and unpaid. Montgomery Playhouse does not precast any role in any production.
Please direct any questions to cassandra @ montgomeryplayhouse.org.

Audition Procedures:

The director would like any actor to read for any role they are interested in, gender non-restrictive. If there is a character that an actor relates to, as long as they are performing the character the way they are presenting in the script, you are welcome to read for that character.
The audition will consist of cold readings from the script. You may be asked to read for roles other than the ones you are interested in so that we can see your range as each character is hiding something.
You may complete the audition form & conflict calendar during auditions, or fill out and print the audition form or email the completed form to Cassandra @ montgomeryplayhouse.org.

For those unable to attend auditions. Virtual submissions will be accepted; see additional information and guidelines below.

Virtual Audition: Must be submitted to Cassandra @ montgomeryplayhouse.org no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23rd. Please submit the following:
1) A clear video clearly stating your full name, pronouns, the roles you are interested in and a one minute contemporary monologue of your choosing. Video should be submitted as YouTube link or Google Drive link. Please check file permissions before submitting.
2) Complete and submit the form with a complete list of rehearsal conflicts.

Callbacks: Callbacks,if necessary, will take place on Thursday March 26th by invitation only. Those invited will be notified. If you have a conflict with the callback audition date, please be sure to clearly indicate that on your Audition Form.

Show Information:

Synopsis:
It is June of 1896 and Arthur Conan Doyle, not yet a “Sir”, is a haunted man. He is called to the home of renowned former actor, Desmond Westhaven, to investigate a mysterious ghost story, but the only ghost Doyle can see is of his own creation – Mr. Sherlock Holmes. When the ghost story turns deadly, Doyle rushes to prove that the cause is supernatural, much to the dismay of the fictional (and dead) detective. They must work together, like it or not, to solve the age old question – who done it?

The Cast of Characters:

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE male presenting (he/him), world renowned author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and former doctor. In possession of a whimsical belief in the paranormal and disdain for the character he is best known for writing.

SHERLOCK HOLMES male presenting, (he/him), a fictional detective. A logical man who believes that data and science are the key in solving the case… if only Arthur would stop talking about ghosts.

DESMOND WESTHAVEN male presenting, (he/him), owner of a haunted manor. Described as entering a room with the timidness of a storm at sea, he is formerly an actor who retains all of the stage presence and volume of a leading man.

ABIGAIL WESTHAVEN female presenting, (she/her), Desmond’s wife and historian of the manor. Lady of the manor and patient, patient wife to Desmond, the script calls for someone who, should the floor split open and the Devil himself pop out, would smile and invite him to tea.

ROSE WESTHAVEN female presenting, (she/her),imaginative daughter of the Westhavens. Her favorite book is Wuthering Heights. She is highly intelligent with burning enthusiasm (for the groundskeeper).

ROBERT SCRIMSHAW/JAMES MORIARTY male presenting, (he/him), SCRIMSHAW is the Westhaven’s butler and MORIARTY is a fictional killer. As Scrimshaw, he is the patient butler and companion to Mr. Westhaven. As Moriarty, he is a threatening presence to Doyle and Holmes.

TOMAS MARKOVEITCH male presenting, (he/him), Rose’s love interest and the groundskeeper/groomsman. He is hardworking and strong, but skittish around the butler, Mr. Scrimshaw. Requires a “Balkan accent”.

Other Information:

Rehearsals: Rehearsals will begin March 30th. Weekday rehearsals run Monday-Thursday evenings. Rehearsal times are potentially subject to change and we request that you thoroughly indicate all weekday, weekend, and holiday conflicts on your Conflict Calendar.​​
Tech: Load-in and Tech rehearsals will take place the weekend of June 7th. Brush-up rehearsal on Thursday, June 16th will be held between performance weekends at the discretion of the directing and stage management teams.
Our Commitment to Equitable & Accessible Theatre Practices: Montgomery Playhouse is committed to creating an artistic environment where diverse voices are promoted, supported, and celebrated. The production team is committed to casting individuals of all ages, backgrounds, identities, body types, and abilities.
If you have any questions, please email cassandra @ montgomeryplayhouse.org