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Auditions for EMMA A Novel by a Lady, 100 N. Main, O'Fallon, MO (2026)

06/23/2023

Be ready in advance! Print and fill in the audition data sheet before you arrive tomorrow and you're ready to roll.

06/23/2023

Just a reminder that auditions are tomorrow at 1 pm in the theatre at 100 N Main in O'Fallon Mo. We are located on the second floor. No monologue needed. See you then!

06/16/2023

Side #6 Emma, Frank, Knightly, Mr. & Mrs. Elton, Miss Bates, Old Tom, Mrs. Bates, and Harriet

Setting: A picnic

FRANK. Ladies and gentlemen. I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say that she desires to know what you are all thinking about.

KNIGHTLY. Is Miss Woodhouse sure she would like to know what we are all thinking about?

MRS. ELTON. This is not the sort of matter I should feel I had a right to inquire about.

MR. ELTON. Very true, my pet, but some ladies will say anything.

FRANK. Ladies and gentlemen, I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say that she waives her right to know exactly what you may be thinking about and only demands that each of you say either one thing that is very clever or two things that are moderately clever or three very dull things indeed – and she vows to laugh heartily at them all.

MISS BATES. Oh, let me see! Three things very dull indeed. That ought to just about do for me. (Giggling.) I shall be very sure to say three dull things as soon as I open my mouth.

EMMA. Oh, but ma’am, you will be limited to only three, I’m afraid.

Awkward silence.

MISS BATES. (Clearly very hurt but trying not to show it.) Well, I will try to hold my tongue then. (To KNIGHTLY who is very angry with EMMA’s cruel remark.) It’s all right. I must sometimes be very foolish or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend.

HARRIET. (In her own world.) I like your game, Mr. Churchill. I have a riddle.

EMMA. (Eager to move on from her blunt remark.) Good HARRIET, let us hear it!

HARRIET. What two letters from the alphabet express perfect perfection?

FRANK. What two letters express perfection? Oh, how clever you are. I am stumped, Miss Smith.

HARRIET. (Proud of herself.) “M” and “A”. Do you understand? EMMA!

KNIGHTLY. That’s very humorous, Miss Smith.

HARRIET. Oh wonderful. I had no idea.

MRS. ELTON. I must ask to be excused at once. I am very vivacious in my own way but I insist that I am the judge of when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Pass us by, thank you, Mr. Churchill. Shall we be off, Mr. E?

MR. ELTON. We certainly shall, Mrs. E. Expecting us to be clever, indeed!

MR. & MRS. ELTON exit in a fine huff.

MISS BATES. That reminds me. We should go after JANE. Come along, ma’am. (Jostling MRS. BATES and OLD TOM.

OLD TOM. (Coming awake smacking his lips as if from a dream.) Bacon!

MRS. BATES. (Coming awake with several loud snorts on the heels of “Bacon!) You wish to leave already, daughter?

MISS BATES. With all my heart. I am quite ready.

They exit, MISS BATES near tears.

FRANK. Oh there! (Pointing.) The carriages are coming up the hill. Let us hurry before we are stuck walking back.

FRANK exits.

HARRIET. Look! (Pointing.) A butterfly!

HARRIET scampers off.

KNIGHTLY. Oh EMMA. How could you be so unfeeling to poor MISS BATES? I had not thought it possible of you.

EMMA. The real question is, how could I help saying what I did? Don’t fret, Mr. KNIGHTLY. I dare say, she did not understand me.

KNIGHTLY. I assure you, she did

EMMA. I know there is not a better creature in all the world but you must allow that what is good and what is ridiculous are most unfortunately blended together in her.

KNIGHTLY. But EMMA, she is poor. She has sunk from the comforts she was born to and if she lives to old age, will probably sink still more. (Angry.) To be laughed at by you, whom she has known since you were an infant, whom she has seen grow up from a time when her notice was an honor to you – oh it was badly done, EMMA.

06/16/2023

Side #5 Emma, Jane Fairfax, and Mrs. Elton

EMMA. (Spreading out a tablecloth for a picnic.) Have you seen Mr. Churchill yet?

MRS. ELTON. Charming Mr. Churchill? Why, no we have not. I’m sure we should have noticed if we had.

JANE. (Under her breath.) Indeed, we should have noticed him by now.

EMMA. He is very late if he wishes to join our party today. He’s already missed the berry picking.

MRS. ELTON. Perhaps his horse has gone lame?

JANE. (Under her breath.) It better have.

MRS. ELTON. Pardon me?

JANE. (Faking a smile.) I was just agreeing with you. Lame indeed.

EMMA. Oh, I do hope he will make it.

MRS. ELTON. I hear he is an essential guest at all parties.

EMMA. He brightens a room considerably, in my opinion.

JANE. Yes, but it is ever so hard to brighten a room when one is not present.

MRS. ELTON takes JANE by the arm and moves her a few steps away from EMMA.

MRS. ELTON. My dear JANE, I must tell you my happy news.

JANE. Well, if you must.

MRS. ELTON. I have found you a most desirable situation. It is with a cousin of our dear friend Mrs. Bragge, and let me assure you, a more superior woman you never will meet. I am wild to have the offer closed immediately.

JANE. I am grateful for your concern, MRS. ELTON, but, as I have told you before, I am not at all eager to find a situation just yet…

MRS. ELTON. I will not hear your negatives, my sweet. I insist on being authorized to write an acceptance for you by tomorrow’s post. It is no trouble. I can fit it into my day and I don’t mind in the least.

EMMA. (Looking around disappointed.) And still he does not come.

JANE. How late he is.

MRS. ELTON. (Calling off stage.) Yoo-hoo! MR. ELTON! We have found the perfect picnic spot...

06/16/2023

Side #4 Emma & Frank Churchill

FRANK. … and so, as I say, it was quite a grand feat, indeed, procuring an Esprit (Pronounced Es-pree.) Plume for my feather collection. I am aware of no one else in possession of such a rare beauty.

EMMA. How fascinating. Now then, Mr. Churchill, much as I enjoy hearing about your feathers, I am very curious to know about this matter of vital importance that you have so slyly hinted at?

FRANK. Of course you are. If I may be so bold, there is something of greatest significance which seems to be missing on this lovely estate of yours.

EMMA. Oh dear. Is it lacking in terms of comfort, Mr. Churchill?

FRANK. Indeed it is! You seem to have left out my favorite thing in all the world - A ball, Miss Woodhouse. I have not heard of any such affair since the moment I arrived. Does no one dance in Highbury?

EMMA. Not very often, no.

FRANK. Heavens! How can one live like that?

EMMA. We simply haven’t the space for it here, I shouldn’t think.

FRANK. Nonsense! If we move the furniture against the wall, like so, we could fit five couples at least.

EMMA. Is that enough for a ball?

FRANK. It’s better than no ball at all.

EMMA. (Rising to her feet and becoming swept up in the idea.) And a quintet, maybe. Over there?

FRANK. Lovely! Yes!

EMMA. (Motioning.) With a touch of creativity, we might even fit a simple buffet along here. But five couples! Who shall we invite?

FRANK. Well, let’s see, Mr. KNIGHTLY, of course. Hm. I know MISS BATES is an old friend and I don’t suppose it would be acceptable to leave out the feeble niece.

EMMA. Miss Fairfax. Yes, she’ll need to be invited, you’re right. Who knows? Perhaps it will be just the thing to put some color in her cheeks.

FRANK. Doubtful. Oh, Miss Smith must be invited. Every ball must have beautiful young ladies.

EMMA. Ah, quite right. You find her beautiful, Mr. Churchill?

FRANK. Exceptional. Such a pretty little smile

EMMA. Yes. That’s our dear HARRIET. I’m so glad you wish to include her.

FRANK. Top of the guest list!

EMMA. Lovely. The house staff will easily be able to accommodate a ball this size but MISS BATES will insist on lending us OLD TOM. She always does for any large gathering. He’s worked for her family since the dawn of man. There may be some spills, I’m afraid.

FRANK. As long as I can dance, I can live with a dribble or two. Oh, yes. Looking around me now, I can find no fault with this room or any part of our plan. Will your father agree?

EMMA. You leave him to me. I am starting to see the fun in this ball of yours, Mr. Churchill

FRANK. You can accomplish anything you wish, Miss Woodhouse, the people of Highbury think so dearly of you. In fact, you ought to have a ball every fortnight throughout the winter.

EMMA. Let us first see how this one shapes up.

FRANK. To ensure its success, may I request the first dance with you? After all, this is our little scheme. It seems only right that we should start things off with full and proper fanfare.

EMMA. I would like that, Mr. Churchil

FRANK. It is set then. A ball at Hartfield! And you and I shall dance.

EMMA. And HARRIET Smith.

FRANK. And HARRIET Smith.

06/16/2023

Side #3 Emma, Harriet, and Buttercup

HARRIET. Tell me, Miss Woodhouse, what do you think of Mr. Martin? I thought him very plain at first but not now. What is your impression of his fine figure?

BUTTERCUP. (Reading loudly and slowly from the label on a tincture bottle.) Hairy Smallflower. (Seeing them both look at her, she holds up the bottle.) It’s an herb. Hairy Smallflower. (Speaking softly to EMMA.) It’s the digestive tonic you requested.

EMMA. You are dismissed BUTTERCUP.

BUTTERCUP. (Reading slowly from the bottle.) For the derangement of the intestines.

EMMA. That will be all, BUTTERCUP.

BUTTERCUP. I’ll just leave it by your plate.

BUTTERCUP exits.

HARRIET. What do you say, Miss Woodhouse?

EMMA. Mr. Martin is remarkably plain, HARRIET. But that is nothing compared to his lack of gentility.

HARRIET. To be sure, he is not so genteel as a real gentleman. He is not like your friend Mr. KNIGHTLY.

EMMA. This farm you have been visiting, Mr. Martin rents it from Mr. KNIGHTLY, does he not?

HARRIET. Oh yes. It’s so very nice, Miss Woodhouse. Mr. Martin and his mother have two parlors, five Bone China dinner plates with little blue flowers, and eight cows. One is a very pretty little Welch cow. As I am so fond of it, his mother said that it should be called HARRIET the Cow. Mr. Martin is so thoughtful. He walked three miles one day to bring me some walnuts! (She sighs at the thought.) Did you never see him? He’s passed you very often.

EMMA. You are too refined to have your head turned by walnuts, HARRIET.

HARRIET. Cracked walnuts, Miss Woodhouse! It is no short work to crack all those shells.

EMMA. I am sure I would not know but, HARRIET, please understand; a young farmer is the very last sort of person to catch my interest. A degree or two lower might make me curious as I could then hope to be of some usefulness to his family. But a farmer can need none of my help. He is as much above my notice as he is below it. How old do you imagine him to be?

HARRIET. He was four and twenty on the eighth of March.

EMMA That is far too young to settle. Now, perhaps six years from now, if he should meet a woman of his own rank…

HARRIET. Six years! Dear Miss Woodhouse, he would be thirty years old!

EMMA. That is as early as most men can afford to marry if they are not born to money.

HARRIET. But they are comfortable enough.EMMA. I am quite certain he shall thrive, HARRIET, but he is not fit for you to notice. The misfortune of your being orphaned ought to make you particularly cautious. There can be no doubt that you are a gentleman’s daughter. You must support your claim to that station by using everything in your power. I want to see you connected and secure. But fear not, my young friend. I know of one who already thinks you to be beautiful. Trust me, if you are impressed by a ROBERT Martin cracking walnuts for you, just you wait and see who I have in mind. Nuts, indeed!

06/16/2023

Side #2 Emma & Mr. Knightly

EMMA. Home at last! I trust your visit was a success?

KNIGHTLY. Not altogether, no. Your sister reminds me too much of you.

EMMA. (Slightly ruffled.) Oh. I’m sorry.

KNIGHTLY. Yes, it was most bothersome.

EMMA. I see.

KNIGHTLY. I came home all the more determined to stand up to you and reveal my true intentions.

EMMA. Please. We need not speak of it.

KNIGHTLY. You won’t allow me to speak of it?

EMMA. I’m sorry. What a selfish thing for me to say. Of course you may confide in your dear EMMA. We are the oldest of friends, are we not?

KNIGHTLY. Are we?

EMMA. I would hazard a guess that you are, in fact, my first and most eternal friend.

KNIGHTLY. It’s just… I am not sure how to proceed.

EMMA. Plainly and honestly, if you please.

KNIGHTLY. All right. These last few weeks, I have come to realize that I… am in love.

EMMA. I know.

KNIGHTLY. You know?

EMMA. Well, truth be told, my matchmaking powers are not what I once believed. In fact, I have made an absolute cake of myself more than once now and I am not proud of it. By showering all of my attention upon Mr. Churchill, I have remained blind to your feelings.

KNIGHTLY. You have?

EMMA. Until recently, yes. And blind as to the feelings of others too. Brace yourself, Mr. KNIGHTLY: Mr. Churchill loves Jane Fairfax.

KNIGHTLY. So I have heard.

EMMA. Oh, well… Of course, she is welcome to him, that bacon-brained bamboozler. He is far too exquisite for the rest of us. HARRIET understood that long before I did. In any case, no one’s heart was broken, thankfully.

KNIGHTLY. I am so glad to hear it.

EMMA. But before you make your own confession, I have news regarding Miss HARRIET Smith.

KNIGHTLY. What about Miss Smith?

EMMA. I’m sorry to be the one to inform you but she has consented to marry ROBERT Martin.

KNIGHTLY. Ah. I know you do not like this match and yet I do believe they love one another very much.

EMMA. But, what of your love then?

KNIGHTLY. If you would keep quiet for two seconds, I shall do my best to speak of it.

EMMA. Yes, of course. What a complete bumble broth I make of everything. And here I was, trying to use my “skills” to help my friends find happiness.

KNIGHTLY. EMMA...

EMMA. As God is my witness, I never wished to see anyone hurt.

KNIGHTLY. EMMA…

EMMA. Least of all you.

KNIGHTLY. Thunder and turf! Will you settle your tongue so that I may speak my mind before I lose my nerve?

EMMA. Well! (Indignant.) Forgive me for trying to save you from pain.

KNIGHTLY. I cannot make speeches, Emma. If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.

EMMA. Since when can you not make speeches? Excuse me, what did you say?

06/16/2023

Audition Side #1 Emma & Mr. Woodhouse

MR. WOODHOUSE. What a night. What a night. I have missed too much sleep but I do enjoy a nice spirited piano piece.

EMMA. Quite a puzzle; the identity of the sender of that pianoforte. I thought I’d never hear the end of it.

MR. WOODHOUSE. The old piano was perfectly sufficient, if you want my opinion on the matter. Now it’s been put out to pasture for no better reason then it’s chipped and yellowed and a little bit squashy. Isn’t that always the way?

EMMA. You just hate change, Father. Everyone is swept up in the romance of such an extravagant gift. Mr. Churchill is convinced it is a gift of love.

MR. WOODHOUSE. Oh, I know. I know. And to think it’s likely the handiwork of our own Mr. KNIGHTLY.

EMMA. What do you mean?MR. WOODHOUSE. What do you mean what do I mean? Mrs. Weston has made a match of them. Close as two coats of paint, she says.EMMA. Mr. KNIGHTLY and JANE Fairfax?

MR. WOODHOUSE. You must discourage him, EMMA. We’d not like to lose him too.EMMA. I must confess, I never thought of such a possibility. Anyway, it is not true. Why should he suddenly like JANE Fairfax?

MR. WOODHOUSE. Oh, hundreds of reasons, I should think. She’s pretty, she sings, she paints, she plays, she’s always been very clever…

EMMA. Clever? How would we know if she is clever, Papa? She barely speaks more than two words in any given evening.

MR. WOODHOUSE. One assumes. Perhaps KNIGHTLY wishes to save Miss Fairfax from her fate as a caretaker for other people’s children? That sounds like him.

EMMA. Oh! That does sound like him.MR. WOODHOUSE. He’s the best of us all, my dear. Sensible. Kind. No bad teeth to speak of. Not a heartburn or a rash in all the time I’ve known him. I greatly admire his glowing health. Always have! Tell me, EMMA, what do you think of his sinuses?

EMMA. Oh Papa, I’m sure I do not know.

MR. WOODHOUSE. I can only surmise that a presumably clever creature such as JANE Fairfax would cherish a man with such fine sinuses.

EMMA. It isn’t like you to gossip,Papa.

MR. WOODHOUSE. That’s true.

EMMA. Let us drop the matter, please.

MR. WOODHOUSE. Yes, please. Forgive me for gossiping about his sinuses. I’m sure they are none of my business.

EMMA. (Under her breath.) He cannot possibly love her.

MR. WOODHOUSE. What’s that you say, dear?

EMMA. (Louder.) It’s a stupid piano.

MR. WOODHOUSE. The old one was perfectly passable, if you want my opinion on the matter.

EMMA. Who gives a care about a stupid piano!

MR. WOODHOUSE. Not I. Let us drop it

EMMA. Nor I! It is dropped.

06/15/2023

Welcome to the Info Page. Look around and if you have any questions, contact us by Messenger or in the Comments. We'd love to see you at auditions on June 24 at 1 pm at City Hall in O'Fallon!

05/25/2023

The Characters

Jane Austen: Snarky, confident, enthusiastic author and creator of our story. Famous for her use of irony. EMMA was her fourth book and it was edited by her brother Henry. Her name did not appear as the author on her books until after her death. Instead, in place of her name, they simply said - A Novel By a Lady.

Henry Woodhouse: A kind but whiney hypochondriac. Despises change. Wealthy widowed father of Emma.

Emma Woodhouse: Independent, wealthy, intelligent, self-assured, compassionate to the poor, deep-down good at heart but obsessed with proprieties and ignorant as to what it means to truly be a good person. Emma has been raised to care deeply about etiquette, social duty, and appearances and often misses understanding the deeper picture. It is imperative that she is likable even when she behaves in a disappointing manner. Her growth into adulthood and becoming a better human being is at the heart of the story.

Buttercup Littleworth: Emma’s Downstairs Maid. Prone to saying suggestive or insulting things without ever realizing it. Tends to look tired.

Mr. Knightly: George Knightly is Emma’s brother-in-law, his brother being married to her sister. She has known him all her life. He is older than Emma and often gives her advice. He can be critical of her behavior. He is a righteous, wise, humble, upstanding gentleman of high social status and significant wealth. He is secretly in love with Emma.

Miss Crisp: Emma’s Brown-noser Head Maid. Cranky and grumbling when the Woodhouse family is not about. Syrupy sweet and attentive when they are.

Harriet Smith: Orphaned and raised at Miss Goddard’s School for Girls, Harriet now works for room and board at the school. Her sweetness and beauty have caught the attention of Emma who badly wants to believe that Harriet comes from people of a high station. Harriet is not very bright but she is endlessly kind and believes everything Emma says.

Robert Martin: Humble hard-working and honorable farmer who is in love with Harriet Smith.

Mr. Elton: Good-looking, ambitious young church rector who is overly solicitous when he wants to be, and cold-hearted when he doesn’t care about being perceived as nice. He wants to marry rich.

Miss Bates: Genteel but poor as she has never married and her money is running down, Miss Bates is a neighbor and old family friend of the Woodhouse’s. She is a compulsive talker and giggler who thinks highly and generously of everyone.

Mrs. Bates: Perpetually sleepy and hard of hearing, she is the elderly mother of Miss. Bates. The two women live together in a faded, worn, once glorious home with one very ancient servant.

Old Tom: Ancient, unsteady, apt to spill servant who has served the Bates since the beginning of time

Jane Fairfax: Over-achieving niece of Mrs. and Miss Bates, Jane Fairfax somewhat listlessly and rather easily triumphs over all she attempts in life, making her the unspoken nemesis of Emma. Much is made about how frail she is and, at this point in time in the story, she speaks little and appears to be gloomy even when she smiles. Destined to become a governess if she does not marry well due to her lack of fortune. Jane Fairfax is the secret love of FRANK Churchill.

Frank Churchill: Pompous, foppish, handsome, FRANK Churchill is waiting on his elderly aunt to die so that he may inherit her fortune. He can not reveal that he loves Jane Fairfax because his aunt will disapprove. In the meantime, he has a little too much fun toying with the hearts of several ladies about town.

Mrs. Elton: The vain, wealthy, annoying, woman Mr. Elton subsequently marries. She looks down on almost everyone around her and thinks very highly of herself. She dresses in a way to draw attention.

05/25/2023

Q & A for O'FallonTheatreWorks Production of EMMA
When are auditions? June 24, 2023 at 1 pm
Where are auditions? O'Fallon City Hall at the Municipal Center 100 N Main, O'Fallon MO
What roles are available? There are six male roles and 9 female roles for actors who can play age 18 and up
Where can I learn more about the roles? A complete character description can be found on this audition page
When will rehearsals begin? The read through will be at the end of July & the first rehearsal will be on August 2
When will this play rehearse? Sundays 1 - 6, Tuesdays and Wednesday 7 - 10
*Please note, this schedule is subject to change based on the availability of the cast and crew
Do I need to prepare a monologue? No monologue needed. We will do cold readings from the script at auditions.
Do I need to reserve a time slot for auditions? No time slot needed. Everyone will arrive at 1 pm and begin reading for roles.
Do I need to tell you if I am coming to auditions? Walk-ins will be accepted but we prefer you indicate if you are coming on the Audition Event found on this page
What are the production dates: Oct 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 pm & Oct 22 and 29 at 2 pm
When is Tech Week? Oct 14 - 18
What if I have a conflict with Tech Week or a performance? We ask that only people who are available for all tech dates and show dates audition
What if I have more questions? Please feel free to ask questions in the comments or to message us with any questions you may have

05/25/2023

In Jane Austen’s beloved final novel, she gives us EMMA Woodhouse, a gloriously bratty and self-assured matchmaker, albeit a disastrously terrible one. Emma believes she understands the deepest, heartfelt desires of her closet friends and sets out to bring the beauty of love into their lives with all the tender care of a bull in a china shop. Mischief and mayhem abound. Hearts are broken but, in spite of Emma’s very best efforts, hearts are also sometimes, maybe, possibly healed. So consumed with her duty is young Emma Woodhouse, she completely fails to recognize her own love match; a man she’s known for all her days!

In 1814, Jane Austen sat down to pen a story about a twenty one year old girl who no one was apt to like very much. Thus was born the literary classic EMMA and readers have been enjoying (and yes, even very much liking!) this dubious heroine ever since. Whether you met Emma Woodhouse through the pages of the timeless book, encountered her in her modern form as Cher Horowitz in CLUELESS, or discovered her for the first time in the 2020 film production of EMMA staring Anya Taylor-Joy, you won’t want to miss seeing this classic tale of exceptional manners and dodgy love matches gone wrong

This October, for the first time ever, O’FallonTheatreWorks brings EMMA A Novel by a Lady to the main stage and you are cordially invited to play a part in the world premier. Auditions are June 24 at 1 pm with callbacks on June 25 at 1 pm. Show dates are October 20, 21 & 27, 28 at 7:30 pm and October 22 & 29 at 2 pm at the Municipal Center at City Hall located at 100 N Main, O’Fallon 63366.

Auditions for EMMA A Novel by a Lady

06/23/2023

06/23/2023

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

06/15/2023

05/25/2023

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05/25/2023

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