Bridge Players Theatre Company celebrates the diverse community that we live in and serve as a member of Burlington County. We are dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in confronting anything in our operations that may inhibit this. We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion, where all interested individuals can thrive, succeed, and are able to participate in and contribute to Bridge Players.  For us, this means everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued, and respected.  We accept the challenge to build an organization where full and fair participation is the norm.

About the play:
This dramedy centers around three sisters forced to spend the night in their mother’s home before her impending funeral. The play does a deep dive into how the siblings confront bereavement, as well as their realization that they each had very different lived experiences as children coming of age in the same household. They revisit the past in poignant and often hilarious ways. As the three women meet after years of separation, their hidden lies and self-betrayals are illuminated. Two of the sister’s partners bring their own reality to the play and illuminate the ways in which the sisters’ childhood traumas have played out in their adult lives.

This is a non-paying, non-Union show. Please refrain from auditioning if you are unavailable October 12 – November 8, 2025. Auditions and performances will take place at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E. Broad St, Burlington, NJ 08016. Actors are encouraged to sign up in advance. Walk-ins will be seen.

What to prepare:
Actors are expected to have read the play before auditioning. The script can be found from numerous sources online (such as here), or please reach out to Susan if needed.

Audition format:
Actors will be asked to read sides from the script, which will be provided at the audition. Please be prepared to be at the theatre for the full 60 minutes. Decisions to release actors sooner will be made at the time of the audition.

Rehearsals:
Begin after casting; held 2–4 times per week (including weekends)

Character breakdown:
Mary – 39-40 – The middle sister, a doctor specializing in neurological disorders, is the most grounded of the three but also carries a deep sadness. Deeply attached to her long-time married lover Mike, she grapples with her own past, including the son she gave up for adoption.

Vi – 32 – The Mother, recently died after an extended battle with dementia. In her scenes she appears as her younger self.

Teresa – mid-40s – The eldest sister, she has carried the weight of responsibility for her mother's care. She is portrayed as organized and perhaps a bit controlling; she is also deeply affected by her mother's death.

Catherine – late 30s – The youngest sister is very needy of attention from everyone around her. She carries the burden of feeling overlooked and unimportant. This is demonstrated by overt attempts to get attention, and being hyper-sexual with others in inappropriate ways.

Mike – 40 – Mary’s married lover and long-time partner is very present to attend to her needs. He is torn between a marriage he feels compelled to continue and trying to navigate Mary’s pressure for commitment.

Frank – 45 – Teresa’s put-upon husband, who carries a shared responsibility to build a vitamin supplement business he doesn’t believe in. He’s been true and working hard to make his wife’s dreams come true.

About the director:
Susan Jami Paschkes is a director, an actor, and a teaching artist focusing on delivering theatre arts workshops for young people in under-served communities. She prefers directing juicy dramas and dark comedies, always with a focus on deep character development.