Murder on the Orient Express
Breckenridge Backstage theatre announces AUDITIONS for ACTORS for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, adapted by Ken Ludwig and based on the book by Agatha Christie, and directed by Producing Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone
All roles are open with the exception of Helen Hubbard which has been precast.
BBT is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages actors of all types to audition for any role regardless of perceived genders or types that are listed in cast breakdown.
BBT follows the Community Standards for Theatre for Colorado.
Deadline: January 1st 2026
Breckenridge, CO
Audition Type: Video Submission
Contract:
Non Union
Pay: $250-$300/Week (10 week contract)
All out of town artists will be provided with shared housing, all major utilities, access to a bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and high speed internet for required days. Out of town artists will be provided with a round trip plane ticket or a travel stipend for gas and tolls.
Seeking:
Non union actors for the roles in Murder on the Orient Express.
Actors of all identities are strongly encouraged to submit.
Submission Instructions:
Please submit your headshot, resume, and 2 contemporary contrasting monologues.
Please do one contemporary comedic monologue and one contemporary dramatic monologue. One of these monologues should include a dialect, it can be any dialect. We just want to see your comfort level with speaking in other dialects, as most characters in this script speak with a different dialect.
Submit your videos as unlisted youtube links.
ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY JAN. 1ST
Submit to: miranda@backstagetheatre.org
Personnel
Artistic Director: Jacqueline Stone
Director: Jacqueline Stone
Stage Manager: Olivia Sullam
Production Assistant: Miranda McCauley
Dates
1st Rehearsal: June 1st, 2026
Opening Night: June 26th, 2026
Closing Night: August 8th, 2026
Breakdown
Ken Ludwig's stage adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express is a fast-paced, humorous, and suspenseful mystery. The play keeps the iconic plot and famous ending while streamlining the characters and focusing on the glamour and trickery of the original story.
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.
Hercule Peroirot: Male, 40s-60s. Famous Belgian detective; a “Big” personality; authoritative, witty, charismatic and slightly pompous; driven to find the answers, good or bad, with a strong moral sense; very aware of his ability and his well- deserved reputation. (French Accent)
Monsieur Blanc: Male, 40s-60s. A Belgian gentleman of good humor; playful, proud, generous; a predilection for grandeur; a whirlwind of energy; must be an excellent comedian. (French Accent)
Colonel Arbuthnot/Samuel Ratchett: Male, 30s-40s. One actor will play two roles.
Colonel Arbuthnot: Scotsman, also middle aged, handsome, very matter of fact, occasionally tender; must have great comic timing. (Scottish Accent)
Samuel Ratchett: middle-aged American businessman, evil at heart and frightening, brusque, unforgiving, stern demeanor; pushy, and domineering.
Countess Andrenyi: Female, 30s-50s. Brilliantly beautiful, like something out of a fairytale; impeccably put together, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets; her delicacy belies a steely edge; she is no wilting flower. (Hungarian Accent)
Mary Debenham: Female, 20s-30s. An English beauty; a governess, capable yet romantic; a sadness around her eyes and a hardness about her person. (English Accent)
Princess Dragomiroff: Female, 40s-70s. A Russian dowager; very formal, a sweeping, impressive presence; imperial, impatient. Everyone knows when she enters the room. More battle axe than princess. (Russian Accent)
Hector Macqueen: Male, 20s-50s. Tightly wound, edgy and nervous; he seems to always be on the verge of falling apart or coming unwound. Assistant to Samuel Ratchett.
Micheal the Conductor/Head Waiter: Male, 20s-50s. One actor will play two roles.
Michel: a good-looking Frenchman, with a quiet, almost grave sense of humor; Unfailingly polite. (French Accent)
Marcel: a Turkish waiter, snooty, smooth; must have great comic timing. (Accent is a plus but not a deal breaker. (Turkish Accent)
Greta Ohlsson: Female, 20s-60s. Inherently odd, and very devout Swedish woman; a frightened, sheeplike quality; must be an excellent comedienne with an impeccable Swedish accent. (Swedish Accent)