AUDITIONS for
BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
A Play By NEIL SIMON
The Saybrook Stage Company is seeking self-tapes for the first round of auditions for their June production of Neil Simon’s BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS.
Self-tapes are due no later than Wednesday, February 25th to be considered. Along with their self-tape, auditioning actors should send a current picture and recent live theater experience to terricorigliano@gmail.com. The open roles and character descriptions are as follows:
BLANCHE MORTON – Female (Late 40’s – early 50’s) Kate’s sister, and Nora and Laurie’s mother. Blanche is a widow who was forced to depend upon Kate and Jack’s charity her and her daughters. Blanche is unable to get a job due to her poor eyesight and asthma, but she takes in sewing jobs at home to help pay for Nora’s dance lessons. Requires strong, natural acting and the ability to convey vulnerability, quiet strength, and emotional depth. Blanche is often overwhelmed, but she nevertheless possesses deep maternal love and an inner resilience that emerges under pressure. Must be able to convey the role truthfully (not melodramatically), have a natural, vocal softness and presence. Blanche is vulnerable but not weak. Requires dignity, not helplessness.
STANLEY JEROME — Male, 18+ to play 19 Jack and Kate’s older son, and Eugene’s older brother. Stanley went to work right after high school to help support his family. Stanley also is his brother’s confidante for issues and questions surrounding sexuality. Stanley believes he has let his family down when he loses his salary, but by the end of the play, Stanley comes to realize that he can’t run away from his problems. Responsible, hardworking, and quietly burdened by the pressure to help support his struggling family. Practical and serious on the surface, but with underlying warmth and vulnerability. Must convey maturity beyond his years while still retaining youthful sensitivity. Requires subtle, grounded acting and strong listening skills.
NORA MORTON — Female, 18+ to believably play 17-year-old. A beautiful, 17-year-old high school student, Blanche’s daughter, and Laurie’s sister. Nora has spent many years studying dance and wants to be a performer on stage. She feels angry when her mother Blanche follows Jack’s advice not to let her audition for a Broadway musical. Nora resents her mother’s inability to make the decision on her own or let her be part of the process, and she longs for more independence. Independent, outspoken, and determined to challenge traditional expectations, yet deeply devoted to her family. Requires both youthful intensity and emotional maturity.
LAURIE MORTON — Female, 14+ to believably play 14-year-old Blanche’s daughter, and Nora’s sister. Laurie has been diagnosed with a weak heart, so her mother believes she is fragile and keeps her in the house. Laurie uses her weak heart to get out of chores. She has few responsibilities to the household and no friends. Laurie spends her time reading and studying. She has few memories of her father. Pretty, intelligent, and mature beyond her years. This role demands strong dramatic skills and requires subtle, naturalistic acting not broad comedy. The role requires emotional depth.
If selected from your self-tape submission, IN-PERSON CALL BACKS will be held on Monday evening, March 2, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main Street in Old Saybrook, CT. BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS will run from June 11th through June 14th at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.