PLEASE NOTE RECENT UPDATE:
Audition Dates: Sunday, February 1 ONLY beginning at 6:30 pm. Readings will be from the script.
Location: Butler Little Theatre, One Howard Street, Downtown Butler, Pennsylvania
Director: Jud Steward
Producer: Jessica Sanzotti
Synopsis: Written by Theresa Rebeck, one of the country’s most acclaimed and widely produced playwrights, Downstairs is a gripping family drama that explores buried secrets, power, and the weight of shared history. Teddy, adrift and uncertain, has taken refuge in the unfinished basement of his older sister Irene’s home—an arrangement that deeply frustrates her husband, Gerry. As tensions rise and unresolved wounds resurface, Irene and Teddy attempt to confront their past, only to uncover a looming threat that puts their fragile family bonds at risk.
Roles available: Two men and one woman
Age range: Early 40s and up
Production Dates: March 20-28 (Except Monday, March 23)
Character descriptions:
Irene – Teddy’s older sister. Thoughtful, guarded, and emotionally complex. Irene is compassionate but burdened by responsibility and unresolved guilt. She is caught between loyalty to her brother and commitment to her marriage, navigating fear, protection, and moral uncertainty.
Teddy – Irene’s younger brother. Adrift and vulnerable, Teddy is searching for stability and meaning. Sensitive and introspective, he carries the weight of the past and struggles with responsibility, dependence, and self-worth.
Gerry – Irene’s husband. Confident, controlled, and authoritative. Gerry values order and security and is deeply frustrated by Teddy’s presence in his home. Beneath his composure lies moral rigidity and emotional distance, creating tension and unease within the household.
Content Advisory: Strong adult language
Contact Jud Stewart, director, 724.679.7396, or Jessica Sanzotti, producer, jsanzotti@gmail.com, with questions or further info.