Hotbed Hotel Audition Notice

Auditions - Hotbed Hotel - November 10 - 12, 2025

By Michael Parker


Presented through special arrangement with: Concord Theatricals
Directed by: Kimberly Demmary
Produced by: Elena Mills

Assistant Director: Patrick Rogers


Audition Dates & Times:

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday November 10th through 12th, 2025, at 7PM.

Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361


Performances:

Jan 10, 2025 – Feb 1, 2025. Thursday (January 16th), Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM; Saturdays matinee (January 18th and 25th) and Sundays at 2PM.


Audition Requirements:

Audition Requirements:

• No conflicts allowed after January 2nd, 2025. No performance conflicts will be accepted.
• The audition will consist of cold readings from the sides provided.
• This is an “open call” audition. Non-Equity, NO PAY.
• Post-audition feedback will not be given.

For more information: Contact Elena Mills at mills.elena@frontier.com

SIDES (please see the attachments).

Show Synopsis:
It’s 1988 and Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their “One Star Hotel” in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it, a Mr. Sam Lewis from New York. In order to bolster Mr. Lewis’s interest, Terri and Brian devise a plan to make the hotel appear busier and more prosperous than it actually is. Their staff (a maintenance man and a maid) will masquerade as paying guests, thereby giving Mr. Lewis the impression that the hotel is overflowing with loyal customers and vacationers. WHAT CAN GO WRONG? Unexpected guests arrive, rooms, clothing and luggage get mixed up, and people are not who they seem to be.
Casting Notes:
This slapstick farce is a riot of physical humor and a great opportunity for playing big, fun characters. It’s a true ensemble show, and all cast members will be featured. All of these characters are larger than life and can be played up for a fun, high-energy and very physical show (think 1980’s sitcoms). There are tons of opportunities to showcase your comedic timing, and exaggerated reactions. We are open to non-traditional and inclusive casting.
Hotbed Hotel contains simulated nudity, sexual objectification, and simulated drinking and drunkenness. The following characters may be required to engage in stage kissing:
v    Brian & Terri Cody
v    Sam Lewis & Ashley
v    Hayley & Major
v    Major & Ashley
Auditioning for all of these characters is confirmation from you that you are aware of and comfortable with these requirements.

The role of Major Ponsenby and Abul El Hajj will be played by the same actor.


For more information:

Contact Elena Mills at mills.elena@frontier.com

Show Synopsis

Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their “One Star Hotel” in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it, a Mr. Sam Lewis from New York. In order to bolster Mr. Lewis’ interest, Terri and Brian devise a plan to make the hotel appear busier and more prosperous than it actually is. Their staff will masquerade as paying guests, thereby, giving Mr. Lewis the impression that the hotel is overflowing with loyal customers and vacationers. But their plan has one hitch, as their entire staff consists of a maintenance man named Hopkins and a sexy housemaid named Maureen.

Character Descriptions

Hopkins (Age 50+) The hotel handyman:
(male presenting) The hotel handyman who guarantees job security by never fixing anything permanently. Masquerades as the Reverend Hopkins. Has liquor bottles stashed all around the hotel and makes it a priority to take a swig whenever he can get away with it. Strong character role for a natural comic, includes lots of physical comedy, participates in sexual jokes and simulates drinking alcohol/plays drunk
Brian Cody (Age 35-40s) The hotel owner and manager:
(male presenting) The hotel owner and manager. Perpetually anxious, terribly incompetent. Wouldn’t know what to do without his wife, and he knows and appreciates it. Sweet, kind, naïve, sometimes lazy and usually incompetent. Participates in much of the physical comedy. Character climbs ladders and will simulate hang by one hand from a light fixture in the “ceiling”.
Terri Cody (Age 30-40s):
(female presenting) The brains and backbone of the hotel (even though her husband is the manager in name). Gentle, loving, loyal wife of BRIAN who pushes him (lovingly) through life. Masquerades as the Palm Beach Socialite Mrs. Winthrop-Smythe during the ill-fated plan. Well-rounded and grounded character with a sharp tongue for well-placed jabs. Confident, competent, smart, tender, and patient.
Major Ponsenby British Military & twin brother Abdul El Hajj an Arab Sheik (Male presenting. Age 50+):
Major Ponsenby A product of an almost by-gone age, that of the upper-class British military officer; a total eccentric, but with a sparkling dry wit and sense of humor.  Crisp, proper British accent.
Abdul El Hajj: Serious, dour, and taciturn with Arabic accent.
Accents are helpful, but not required at audition. Actor participates in very quick changes and physical shenanigans, should expect to move quickly when switching between characters. Experiences a stage fall.
Maureen (Age 18-30) The hotel maid:
(female presenting) The hotel maid, naïve, bright eyed, peppy, energetic, and eager to please, easily overwhelmed by her task in the deception. Wears revealing outfits.  Full of energy, and full of opportunities to elevate this character with well-placed looks and strong comedic timing.
Sam Lewis (Age 40-60) A New York businessman:
(male presenting) A New York businessman, the purported buyer of the hotel. Full of flash, bravado, and moral judgement; until the arrival of his wife renders him fawning and intimidated.
Ashley (Age 30-45) Sam Lewis’ girlfriend:
(female presenting) Through no fault of her own, her clothes keep disappearing throughout the play. She’s glamorous in a sexy but classy way, with a kind, affectionate nature.  She’s enjoying her stay at the hotel, hardly aware of the bedlam going on around her.  Wears a towel on stage for much of the play.
Hayley Harrington (Age 30-45):
(female presenting) Also known as “The Barracuda” for her aggressive attitude towards men; glamorous, sensuous, hypersexual behavior. Her reputation precedes her wherever she goes. Focusing on one male after another in a sometimes lighthearted, frivolous way, she does not let the audience down.
Dorothy (Age 45-60) Sam’s real wife:
(female presenting) She dominates the final 20 minutes of the play.  She’s severe, matronly, self-opinionated with a sharp tongue and strong presence. Great role for strong comedic actor to steal the stage.

As stated in our Anti-Discrimination Policy, our theatre is welcoming to ALL, including members of every race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, family relationship, socio-economic status, or any other protected status.