Calendar Girls
by Tim Firth
Directed by Jennifer Walker
Auditions Dates:
Monday, November 9 & Tuesday, November 10, 2026
at 6:30 p.m. at Theatre 98
Performance dates: February 12-28, 2027
When Annie’s husband dies of Leukemia, her friends at the British Women’s Institute rally around to support her; especially her best friend Chris, who comes up with the idea of doing a fundraiser—by posing for a nude calendar. Based on a true story, this is the humorous and touching tale of a group of middle-aged Yorkshire women who come together to navigate friendship, loss, and taking their clothes off!
Cast:
We are looking for 9/10 women and 3/4 men to help us bring the characters in this poignant, hilarious show to life. Though we primarily need middle aged women, there are roles available for adult women and men of all ages. Don’t worry, no one will be required to be undressed on stage at any point in this production! Bring your best British accent to auditions. No experience required. Auditions will consist of scene readings from the script. Please see below for character descriptions and suggested age ranges.
Chris: female 40s/50s, a fun-loving instigator who enjoys being the center of attention and who comes up with the idea for and organizes the nude calendar as a way to support her best friend, Annie. Not your typical member of the WI.
Annie: female 40s/50s, Chris’s usual accomplice in life, who loses her beloved husband John to Leukemia in the play. She wants to keep the focus of the calendar on their fund-raising mission. A little more proper than Chris.
Cora: female 30s/40s/50s, church organist, vicar’s daughter, and unwed mother, now talked into being a nude model for the calendar. The actress who plays this character will need to be able to sing as well.
Jessie: female 60s/70s, retired schoolteacher who does not mind much what people think of her. Eager to pose for the calendar.
Celia: female 30s/40s/50s, wealthy and attractive country club member whose physical attributes make a big impression in the calendar.
Ruth: female 40s/50s/60s, a mousy people-pleaser and stereotypical WI member who reluctantly poses for the calendar and learns to come out of her shell.
Marie: female 40s/50s/60s, judgmental and domineering head of the local WI, who is very concerned about reputation and does not approve of the calendar.
John: male 40s/50s/60s, Annie’s reliable and loving husband who is dying of leukemia.
Rod: male 40s/50s/60s, Chris’s (mostly) supportive husband
Lawrence: male 20s/30s, nervous young amateur photographer and hospital employee who helped care for John who takes their photos for the calendar.
Lady Cravenshire: female 40s/50s/60s/70s, highly proper member of the peerage
Elaine: female 20s/30s, pretty young beauty salon employee, a little patronizing
Brenda: female, any age, very boring WI speaker
Liam: male, any age, slightly sleazy commercial director
*Roles of Lady Cravenshire and Brenda may be doubled by one actor if needed