BEN HUR BY PATRICK BARLOW - Marco Island Center for the Arts/ Arts Center Theatre Non Equity Auditions

“Ben Hur”

by Patrick Barlow

Auditions: November 7, 2026

10:30am-12:30pm

Show Runs: April 1 – April 18, 2027

Auditions: Marco Island Center for the Arts

Directed by: Joan Gerberding

Ben Hur, A Comedy, written by Patrick Barlow is a hilarious, fast-paced theatrical parody of the epic historical tale Ben Hur. The play famously features just four actors taking on dozens of roles. A hilarious delight, this play uses lightning-quick costume changes, silly accents, and clever slapstick to condense the monumental story. The humor stems from the “play-within-a-play” dynamic Ben Hur.

Ambitious stage designs are reduced to comically low-budget props. The four brilliant actors frantically switch genders, accents, and costumes on a dime and they frequently break the fourth wall to complain about the director or backstage rivalries.

Characters:

Daniel Veil

Description: A strutting, highly competitive, and confident performer who runs the show. Egotistical, dramatic, and cliff-jawed leader of the troupe.

Character Trait: A scenery-chewing ham who delivers his lines with a hilarious, over-the-top heroic stare into the middle distance.

Primary Role: Judah Ben-Hur (casts himself as the heroic title lead).

Other Roles: Melchior and Nubian Dancer.

Omar Lord

Description: A suave, sometimes pouting actor who gives off a hyper-masculine vibe. A rival performer within the group.

Character Trait: Plays the macho nemesis with a pouting, daytime-television flair.

Primary Roles: Messala (the villainous Roman soldier) and Jesus Christ.

Other Roles: Caspar, Archangel Gabriel, Galley Captain, Roman Captain, Galley Slave, Nubian Dancer and Velentinyo.

Crystal Singer

Description: A dynamic, overworked actress tasked with playing almost every female character in the script. She is the troupe’s versatile and hard-working leading lady.

Character Trait: Spends the entire play sprinting offstage to instantly change costumes and wigs to play every female character.

Primary Roles: Esther (the love interest), Tirzah (Ben Hur’s sister), and The Virgin Mary.

Other Roles: Ancient Slave, Nubian Dancer, Catalinya, Naboth, Mrs. Pilate.

Edgar T. Chesterfield

Description: A classically trained, older actor who is well past his prime but demands authority. The troupe’s character actor who handles narration and the most absurd quick changes.

Character Trait: Handles absurd costume changes—shifting rapidly from a brutal commander to a deadpan Jewish matriarch—with mock grandeur.

Primary Roles: Sara (Ben Hur’s mother), Quintus Arrius (the Roman Admiral), Pontius Pilate, Balthasar (one of the Three Wise Men who initially followed the star to Bethlehem), and General Lew (the author of the original Ben Hur tale).

Daniel Veil- Pages: 11 – 14 (Daniel) and 30 – 33 (Judah)

Edgar T. Chesterfield- Pages: 23 – 26 (Sara) and 57 – 61 (Quintus Arrius)

Omar Lord – Pages: 30 – 33 (Messala) and 126 – 130 (Jesus)

Crystal Singer – Pages: 23 – 26 (Esther) and 84 – 88 (Catalinya)

Sides available online at
https://www.marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre-audition/