Acme Theater of Weston announces open auditions for:

Unnecessary Farce, written by Paul Slade Smith, directed by Kevin Nessman. 

 

Performance Dates:

April 3-18, 2026 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm). This includes a 3pm Easter Sunday performance on April 5th.

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You must be available for all performance dates and tech week (March 29- April 2) to be considered for casting.

 

Audition Dates:

Sunday, January 25 at 7pm

Tuesday, January 27 at 7pm.

 

Location:
Auditions and performances will be at Acme Theater (377 North Ave, Weston, MA).

 

We are located in the rear building of the Weston United Methodist Church. Parking is available in the back. Enter through the Acme Theater door at the top of the ramp.

Please bring a resume and a current headshot, and be prepared to fill out a conflict calendar for the next 3 months.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Auditionees will be held in two time slots each night 7 PM to 8:15  PM and 8:15 PM to 9:30 PM. Contact Kevin Nessman at nessmank@gmail.com to reserve a spot and to receive an audition packet including the audition form and audition sides. 

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The Story:
In a run-down motel, a high-stakes sting operation is about to go hilariously off the rails. In Room A, an embezzling Mayor meets his accountant. In Room B, two rookie cops wait to catch it all on tape. But when the rooms get swapped, the money disappears, and a Scottish hitman enters the fray, the result is a breathless whirlwind of mistaken identities and plummeting pants. It’s not just a crime—it’s an Unnecessary Farce.

 

What to Expect: Performance & Style

 

Actors auditioning for Unnecessary Farce should prepare for a high-octane, demanding, and incredibly rewarding comedic experience. This isn't just a play; it’s an athletic event.

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Here is what you can expect from the rehearsal and performance process:

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● Breakneck Pacing: This show starts fast and then gets even faster. Actors must have impeccable timing and the ability to maintain high energy without dropping the "truth" of their character’s desperation.

● Precision Physical Comedy: With eight doors on set, the choreography is as complex as a ballet. Expect a heavy emphasis on physical acting, including door slams, narrow misses, frantic hiding, and the classic "plummeting pants" tropes of the genre.

● Dialect Challenges (Todd): Todd begins with a recognizable Scottish accent that descends into a completely absurd, indecipherable brogue as he gets angrier.

● High Stakes in Low Places: The comedy works best when played with total sincerity. Whether you are a cop losing your clothes or a hitman losing your temper, the characters must believe their lives are truly on the line, even in the most ridiculous situations. 

The Parts:

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The Police Officers

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● Eric Sheridan: (30s) A bookish and even-keeled police officer. He is the "straight man" of the duo but finds himself completely out of his element when he has to lie to his boss, stand up to a hitman, and navigate a budding romance—all while frequently losing his pants.

● Billie Dwyer: (20s–30s) Eric's partner and a rookie officer. Though she is incredibly eager to succeed, she is excitable and lacks almost every skill necessary for police work. Her main struggle is staying focused while everything around her descends into madness.

 

The Suspects and Civilians

 

● Karen Brown: (30s) An accountant who takes great pride in her professional, buttoned-up demeanor. However, the stress of the sting operation triggers a sudden "sexual hunger" that makes her unable to keep her hands off Eric—or keep her clothes on.

● Mayor Meekly: (50s–70s) An innocent and affable fellow. He is the "sweet soul" of the play and is often a step or two behind everyone else in the room. He is gentle and oblivious to the chaos swirling around him.

● Mary Meekly: (50s–70s) The Mayor’s wife. Small in stature and unfailingly sweet, she appears to be the perfect, mild-mannered match for her husband, though she may have a surprise or two up her sleeve.

 

The Antagonists (of sorts)

 

● Agent Frank: (30s–50s) The head of security at Town Hall. He tries to project the confident, gruff exterior of a Secret Service agent or a film noir detective, but he is actually a coward who is frequently frightened by his own shadow.

● Todd: (40s–60s) A professional hitman with a pronounced Scottish accent. He is cool and perceptive at first, but as he gets angrier, his accent becomes increasingly thick until he is entirely undecipherable to the other characters.

 

Acme Theater holds open auditions. For information on our casting policy, please see "View Our Casting Policy" below.​