News – Ilion Little Theatre

Auditions

The Ilion Little Theater will hold auditions Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. for an upcoming production celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America.

We are looking for a diverse range of acts to honor the history, spirit, and ideals of our nation.

Whether you are a seasoned performer or a first-time participant, we want you to help us bring the story of America to life on our historic stage.

Seeking creative, patriotic, and moving acts including, but not limited to:

Music: Solos, ensembles, or instrumental pieces (Revolutionary era to modern patriotic classics).
Dance: Period-appropriate dance, folk, or contemporary tributes.
Spoken Word: Recitations of historical speeches, original poetry, or dramatic readings.
Drama & Comedy: Short skits, historical re-enactments, or lighthearted Americana humor.
Unique Talents: Any performance that reflects the “Birth of the Nation” and what it stands for today.

Performances will be held July 25 and 26

Note to Performers: Please come prepared with a brief sample of your act (2-3) minutes). If you are singing or dancing, please bring your own backing track.

Any questions? Email ilionlittletheatre@gmail.com

The Ilion Little Theater will hold auditions on March 28, 2026 at 3 p.m. for the Agatha Christie classic – “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Synopsis:

1934 – aboard the Orient Express as it travels from Istanbul to Western Europe. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.

Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue, and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace.

Directed by Char Lyon & Tory Girmonde

Characters:

Hercule Poirot – The Belgian detective known for his meticulous attention to detail and astute judgement of character.
Samuel Ratchett – The American businessman who is murdered.
Monsieur Bouc – The high-ranking employee of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits.An old friend of Poirot.
Mary Debenham – The British governess, bears a certain sadness in her eyes. At first appears very anxious.
Hector MacQueen – The nervous young American with a strained, rather beleaguered face,
Michel the Conductor – The good-looking Frenchman, has a quiet, almost grave sense of humor. He’s seen a lot in his years on the Orient Express, and he knows his way around the train.
Princess Dragomiroff -The Russian royalty, expensively dressed and handsomely bejeweled.
Greta Ohlsson – The Swedish nurse and missionary. Plain and modest, Greta has a frightened, sheep-like quality about her.
Countess Andrenyi – The Hungarian royalty, brilliantly beautiful and always dressed to the nines in furs and diamonds.
Helen Hubbard – The American widow, tough-talking with a rough edge and a bold sense of humor.
Colonel Arbuthnot – A very matter of fact Scotsman who is hopelessly in love with Mary. (May double with Samuel Ratchett.)
Head Waiter – Professional in demeanor, he is knowledgeable and a bit overconfident. (May double with Michel the conductor.)

Format:

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Accents reflective of the character’s heritage are highly encouraged.

Performance Dates will be June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 2026

Note:

If you are unable to attend March 28th, please contact Ilion Little Theatre via email. All adults are welcome to audition. Thank you.

2026-2027 Season Proposals

Ilion Little Theatre is seeking director proposals for its 26-27 season and beyond. We schedule 4 regular performances each season and frequently add on special shows and events. If you have interest, please send your proposal via email. Proposals need to include the following:

Show name, source for performance licensing, and brief overview.
Your availability in directing throughout the season. If you have a time preference, please specify.
Any special considerations or needs beyond normal licensing, set needs, costuming, or musical accompaniment.
If proposing a musical, do you have a musical director? Are you planning to use rehearsal and performance tracks?
If you have never directed at ILT, please include past experience.
If you have never directed, but have interest, don’t let that deter you! We have ample opportunities for Assistant Directing and in many cases can work with you.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you for your consideration!

Monthly Gatherings

A tradition still upheld many decades later is the social aspect of the Ilion Little Theater. While the organization continues to produce shows for the general public throughout the year, the organization’s members meet once a month to socialize over a meal at the theater.

Each gathering is held the third Thursday of the month (unless pre-empted by a scheduled performance), every month, from September through May.

General organization business is conducted during these meetings, but both current members and those interested in joining are invited to attend.

The next monthly gathering of the Ilion Little Theater will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2025. Join us for an evening celebrating the Spring Equinox! The Spring Equinox marks the original “New Year’s Day” of the ancient Roman calendar – a moment of perfect balance between light and dark representing rebirth. To honor these roots, please join us in your finest toga (an old bed sheet will do) or a leafy wreath. We also invite you to bring a small item that represents your astrological sign as we welcome the sun’s entry into Aries.

The evening will be filled with seasonal fun! Feel free to bring a dish, dessert, or beverage to share. Guests are always welcome. We hope you’ll join our toga-clad ranks to welcome Spring!

Email us at ilionlittletheatre@gmail.com with any questions.

If you’re not an active member but are thinking about becoming involved in the theater or would like more information, please join us as our guest. We are always looking for new members to assist in a variety of tasks, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company.

Dinner meetings / monthly gatherings are held at the theater (also referred to as “The Stables”), located at 13 Remington Ave, behind Remington Arms.

BYOB your favorite beverage.

The date is subject to change.