Bull in a China Shop

by Bryna Turner
Director: Lisa Tierney
June 13-29, 2025
Hovey Players, 9 Spring Street, Waltham, MA 02451

Audition Info:

  • Friday, March 21, 6:30-9:30 PM

  • Saturday, March 22, 10 AM - 1 PM

  • Callbacks: Sunday, March 23, 10 AM - 12 PM

Auditions will be held at Somerville Music Spaces, 1060 Broadway C101B, Somerville, MA 02144. Callback location TBD.

The Treehouse Collective strongly prefers in-person auditions and callbacks. We will accept video submissions in lieu of in-person auditions for those who cannot attend due to a conflict.  Callbacks, however, must be attended in-person. If an actor who we wish to call back cannot attend on March 23, we will make all reasonable efforts to schedule an alternative.  Thank you for understanding.

Actors will be seen in five minute appointments.  Please sign up for a time slot using the link below.  Actors will be sent further instructions with sides to prepare prior to the audition.  The sides do NOT need to be memorized, but actors are encouraged to be very familiar with the material. A copy of the script will be sent with the sides.  Actors who wish to submit a video audition should email bullinachinashoptreehouse@gmail.com for additional instructions as well as sides.

Please email The Treehouse Collective to request a copy of the script or with any additional questions: bullinachinashoptreehouse@gmail.com 

Sign Up Here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0449ADA922A4F94-55301641-auditions


Synopsis

Inspired by the real letters between Mary Woolley and Jeannette Marks spanning from 1899 to 1937, this fast-paced comedy asks: What is revolution? What does it mean to be at odds with the world? How do we fulfill our potential? And how the hell do we grow old together?

Character Descriptions

The Treehouse Collective is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive community: on our stage, through our creative and technical teams, and in our audiences. 

We have noted the pronouns used in the script to refer to characters in the play.  While many of these roles are written on the gender binary (he/she), we invite and encourage gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

WOOLLEY – (Mary) the swagger of a gunslinger buttoned into an ankle length dress; a confident and caring partner to Marks. (she/her)

MARKS – (Jeannette) a moody and fitful writer and partner, an enigmatic teacher; Woolley’s former student and current partner, ten years Woolley’s junior. (she/her)

DEAN WELSH – a tight‐lipped New England type. Woolley’s subordinate, but Marks’ superior. (she/her)

PEARL – the president of a secret society of fan‐girls of the relationship between Marks and Woolley, Marks’ obsessively devoted student. (she/her)

FELICITY – Marks’ roommate in a house off-campus named Sweet Pea. A professor in the Philosophy Department. (she/her)

Rehearsals and Performances

All rehearsals and performances will take place at Hovey Players, 9 Spring Street, Waltham, MA 02451.

Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Tuesday-Thursday, May 27-29 - 6:30-10 PM

  • Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 - 10 AM-6 PM

  • Monday-Thursday, June 2-5 - 6:30-10 PM

  • Saturday-Thursday, June 7-12 - Tech Week

Performances:

  • OPENING NIGHT: Friday June 13 - 8PM

  • Saturday June 14 - 8PM

  • Sunday June 15 - 2PM

  • Friday, June 20 - 8PM

  • Saturday, June 21 - 8PM

  • Sunday, June 22 - 2PM

  • Monday, June 23 (Industry Night) - 8PM

  • Friday, June 27 - 8PM

  • Saturday, June 28 - 8PM

  • Sunday, June 29 - 2PM

Due to the short nature of the rehearsal period, very few conflicts can be permitted. Conflicts will not be permitted for performances.

Compensation: 

The Treehouse Collective believes that all members of a production team should receive pay for their labor - from the director to the actors to the tech team. Our pay equity model aims to acknowledge the different requirements of each role on the production team both onstage and off while sharing collectively in the success of the production.  Actor compensation for Bull in a China Shop includes a share in ticket sales, estimated for this production at $100.  Additional details about our pay equity model will be shared upon offer.  Please reach out with any questions about compensation.

The Treehouse Collective cannot provide housing or transportation for this production.

Bull in a China Shop Audition Announcement