Historic Cherry Hill is thrilled to announce that we will be holding auditions for “Murder at Cherry Hill,” a
dramatic tour exploring the true story of a murder that took place at the site in 1827 through storytelling
and live actors. On May 7, 1827, Jesse Strang, a hired hand at Cherry Hill under the alias Joseph Orton,
climbed onto the shed roof of the house and shot boarder John Whipple through his bedroom window.
Strang had been having an affair with John Whipple’s wife, Elsie, a member of the elite Lansing and Van
Rensselaer families. The murder resulted in two sensational trials and Albany’s last public hanging.
We are searching for an actor to portray JESSE STRANG, a hired hand at Cherry Hill. Strang is in his late
20s-early 30s, a man of “good stock” who became a drifter after faking his own death to escape gambling debts.
Between August 11, 2025 – August 29, 2025, we will be accepting recordings for auditions. Please email
Holly Kilgore at holly@historiccherryhill.org for more information.
Rehearsals will be held in September with performances on October 9-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29, and 30.
Performances will be split between two actors who will serve as understudies for one another. An
honorarium of $250 will be offered.
Auditions will be held at Historic Cherry Hill (523 1⁄2 South Pearl Street, Albany) on Tuesday, September 2
at 5:30 PM. Drop-ins are accepted, but will need to call ahead. You will be asked to read a selection from
the script. Please email holly@historiccherryhill.org if you need to set up a different time.