Auditions

Harvey

A Pulitzer Prize winning comedy by Mary Chase

— is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend Harvey — a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, determine to commit Elwood to a sanitarium. A mistake is made, however, and Veta is commited rather than Elwood! What ensues is a comedy of errors resulting in mistaken identities, misdiagnoses, and a search for the elusive rabbit that reminds us to embrace the quirks that make us special.

Director: Kady Debelak - kdebelak@gmail.com

  • Audition Dates

    • Monday, June 30, 2025, from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

    • Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

    • Calbacks TBA

  • Audition Location

    • Overshadowed Theatrical Productions — 900 Foster Ave, Medinah, IL 60157

  • About Auditions

  • AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

  • To reserve your audition time slot, please email kdebelak@gmail.com

    • Please let us know your date and time preferences for an audition slot.

    • Please be prepared to stay at auditions for approximately 30 min.

  • Audition Requirements

    • Please prepare a one minute character driven comedic monologue. Something showcasing the 1930s, 1940s, or 1950s would be a bonus, but not required.

    • Please be prepared for cold readings along with improvisational fun with our friend “Harvey.”

    • Have fun!

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic actors ranging from age 20 - 60 to join our imaginative and warm production of Harvey!

We look forward to seeing you at auditions!

  • Rehearsal and Production Information

    • Please check your calendar and let us know your conflict dates when you cannot attend a rehearsal so we can schedule rehearsals for specific scenes to minimize conflicts.

    • We want to point out that communication of subsequent conflicts needs to be with as much notice as possible.

    • Participating in a show at Overshadowed is a serious commitment, and rehearsal attendance is essential. However, we understand that you are volunteering your time, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

    • This is a Non-Equity production.

    • Rehearsal dates:

      • Read through is on July 5, 2025

      • July 5 - September 18, 2025

    • Production dates:

      • September 19 - October 11, 2025

      • Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm

      • Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Character Breakdown

    • Age: 50-80

    • Mrs. Chauvenet is an old friend of the family. She is an elite member of the town’s social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into. Usually played an older actress. A smaller role (Act 1 only) - may double as Betty Chumley.

    • Age: 35-55

    • Dr. Chumley is an esteemed psychiatrist and the head of Chumley’s Rest with years of experience. He is a difficult, exacting man who will go to any length to protect the reputation of his sanitarium. Usually played an older actor.

    • Age: 50-80

    • Dr. Chumley’s kind and talkative wife. Usually played an older actress. A smaller role (Act 2 only) - may double as Ms Chauvenet.

    • Age: 20-55

    • Dr. Sanderson is a young and highly qualified psychiatrist, handpicked by Dr. Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly as she is with him, though he struggles not to let on. Usually played a younger actor.

    • Age: 18-35

    • Nurse Kelly is a sympathetic character, a pretty young woman who has a love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson. She is sweet and kind and looks for the best in people. Usually played a younger actress.

    • Age: 20-50

    • Wilson is the muscle of Chumley’s Rest, a devoted orderly responsible for handling the patients who will not cooperate voluntarily. He sets his sites on Myrtle Mae Simmons soon after meeting her.

    • Age: 40-80

    • The judge is an old family friend of the Dowds and the family’s lawyer. He is fiercely protective of the family and surprisingly understanding of Elwood’s belief in Harvey. Usually played an older actor.

    • Age: Open

    • Male or Female

    • E.J. Lofgren is a cab driver whose monologue about sanitarium passengers is crucial to the climax of the play. This role has a single scene near the very end and would have a limited rehearsal schedule