VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE
Written by Christopher Durang
Directed by Brian Wagner
DATES AND TIMES OF AUDITIONS: Sunday, December 6, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, December 7, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.
AT: The Ghent Playhouse
6 Town Hall Place
Ghent, NY 12075
The Ghent Playhouse announces open auditions for Christopher Durang’s multi-award- winning play, VANYA and SONIA and MASHA and SPIKE, to be directed by Brian Wagner. Siblings Vanya and Sonia live a quiet life caring for their parents in the family farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Their peaceful routine is suddenly disrupted when their movie star sister, Masha, and her young lover, Spike, arrive for the weekend to announce that Masha plans to sell their childhood home. A weekend of rivalry, regret, and
raucousness follows. Laced with wit and absurdity, Durang blends Anton Chekov’s ennui with the modern-day toils and troubles of celebrity, social networking, and age into a laugh-out-loud comedy that will both tickle the funny bone and stimulate the mind.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
June 4-13, 2027
Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Preview Performance, Wednesday, June 3, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
ROLES:
VANYA – (Male; 50-60) – Soft-spoken, a closeted gay man. Smart and diplomatic, but disappointed with his lot in life. Keeps most of his feelings to himself, but still has a lot of passion left in him.
SONIA – (Female – 50-60) – Adopted into the family when she was about 8. She is bitter about what life has thrown at her and jealous of her glamorous sister, Masha. She often seems bitter or depressed, but does reveal a playful side at times, and sees a whole new world of possibilities as the play moves along.
MASHA – (Female – 50-60) – Sibling of Vanya and Sonia. She is a successful actress and movie star who is living the glamorous life. She does, however, have insecurities. She is feeling older and more vulnerable, and has had 5 unsuccessful marriages.
SPIKE – (Male – 25-30) – Masha’s “boy toy,” the two have been “dating” for 3 months. He is genuinely attracted to Masha, but does have a wandering eye. He is sexy and self-absorbed, full of life and extremely comfortable with his body.
CASSANDRA – (Any age) – Vanya and Sonia’s housekeeper. She can see into the future… or at least some of it. She cares very much for Vanya and Sonia and does not trust Masha.
NINA – (Female – early 20’s) –A lovely and sincere would-be actress – young and full of hope – visiting relatives nearby. She is also more spirited and spunky than one thinks at first. She is an admirer of Vanya and his work, and soon develops a fondness for the entire family.
AUDITIONERS WILL BE ASKED TO READ SPECIFIC SIDES FROM THE SCRIPT
NOTE: Ages and descriptions are flexible. Actors of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, genders, races, and sexual orientation are welcomed and encouraged to audition.
REHEARSAL – PERFORMANCE INFORMATION:
THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE WILL BE BASED UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THOSE WHO ARE CAST. THEREFORE, AUDITIONERS ARE REQUESTED TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE IN LISTING ANY AND ALL CONFLICTS ON THEIR AUDITION APPLICATION. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TECH WEEK AND PERFORMANCE DATES
SET FORTH.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO OBTAIN AUDITION SIDES, PLEASE CONTACT THE DIRECTOR, BRIAN WAGNER BY EMAIL AT brianwagner65@gmail.com OR BY PHONE AT (617) 276-2756.