Audition for Dark Tales!

May 7

Helltown Players and The Academy of Performing Arts are excited to announce auditions for Dark Tales Told on a Cold Autumn Eve, a collection of original stories - mysterious and haunting - of the supernatural world of Cape Cod.

The play, written by Jim Dalglish, received a triumphant world premiere at Cotuit Center for the Arts in 2018. Jennifer Kangas and Jim Dalglish will co-direct this new production, which is set to run as part of the Black Box Series at The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans, Massachusetts, Friday and Saturday nights from October 3 - 7, 2025.

After its initial run of four performances at The Academy, Helltown Players hopes to take the show to additional venues on Cape Cod. Stay tuned for updates on tour dates and times.

Reviews of Dark Tales…

“‘Dark Tales’ is intelligent, ambitious and entertaining. Playwright Dalglish has meticulously researched the spooky stories, legends, myths and history of Cape Cod. He deftly mixes these elements with some universally macabre themes to craft a fascinating story which at once begs you to suspend your disbelief while embracing it. References to Cape Cod history and places abound, which is a lot of fun…this is a great way to celebrate the spooky season!”
- Carol Panasci, Cape Cod Times

Auditions…

Auditions will be conducted via Zoom from June 3 - 8, 2025. See How to Audition below to learn how to register to audition and choose your time slot.

About the play…

Dark Tales Told on a Cold Autumn Eve

Playwright: Jim Dalglish
Directors: Jennifer Kangas & Jim Dalglish
Production Entities: The Academy of Performing Arts & Helltown Players

Play Description:
Every autumn during a full moon, Sam lights a fire in the hearth of his old, abandoned tavern deep in the woods of Great Island. It’s a signal for the lost and forgotten souls of Cape Cod to emerge from the shadows to share their tales. A collection of original stories - mysterious and haunting - of the supernatural world of Cape Cod. A perfect Halloween outing for adults with a taste for the macabre.

Characters:

Sam - Owner of the Samuel Smith Tavern. A man you would naturally tell your deepest secrets.
The Fisherman - An old salt who has seen everything and knows everyone.
Maria - A good-humored woman and natural storyteller.
Tony - An artist who works as a cater waiter to support his artistic endeavors.
May - A young woman who feels trapped. She’d give anything to break out of her rut and see the world.
Elliot - A fledgling architect and devoted father. This is his first family vacation to the Cape.
Dale - A free spirit who “roughs” it on the Cape every summer to earn enough money to survive the winter.
Madame X - The wife of a hedge fund manager. She owns homes in Nantucket and Greenwich. She’s trying to get her foundation off the ground.
Lorelei - The phantom of Horseleech Pond.

Setting

Place - Sam Smith’s Tavern, Great Island, Wellfleet, Cape Cod
Time - Autumn (Full Hunter Moon)

Venues and Dates

The Academy of Performing Arts
(Main Performance Venue - Black Box Series)
120 Main Street, Orleans, MA, 02653
October 3, 4, 10, and 11 (Fridays & Saturdays) at 7:00pm

Additional Venue
(Not yet confirmed • Dates and times to be provided after venue confirmation)

Rehearsals

Starting in August, 2025 and up to the first performance.

The APA and Helltown Players asks that actors be available during this time to rehearse. Schedules will be formed to meet the needs of the actors, director, and dramaturge.

Non-Equity

Due to budgetary considerations, The APA and Helltown Players will not be casting Equity actors for this production.

Compensation

There will be no actor stipend for the performances scheduled at The Academy of Performing Arts. However, APA encourages audience members to donate to an actor fund for each performance of the play at their theater. 100% of the money generated by donations to this actor fund will go to the actors.

Helltown Players is currently looking for an additional performance venue and hopes to schedule shows during the end of October - the Halloween season. If an additional venue can arranged, Helltown will give a stipend to each actor, the amount of which will depend on the number of additional performances.

How to Audition…

Visit this Google folder to find the plays scripts, play descriptions, character breakdowns, and audition slides (the scripts we will be using to audition each role):
Dark Tales Script and Sides >>
Complete this Google form to indicate your interest in auditioning for the show:
Dark Tales Audition Form >>
The form will allow you to upload your actor bio, indicate the roles you are interested in playing, and choose dates and times you can audition. The form will explain how it all will work.
Auditions will be conducted via Zoom from June 3 - 8, 2025