The Alchemy Theatre presents

A Man of No Importance

Music by Stephen Flaherty · Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens · Book by Terrence McNally

Paid, non-Equity · Casting Austin-area talent

Key Dates

About the Show

The Alchemy Theatre is pleased to announce auditions for “A Man of No Importance,” winner of the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, from the Tony Award-winning team behind “Ragtime.”

Set in Dublin in 1964, the musical follows Alfie Byrne, a gay closeted bus conductor who shares his secrets only with his imagined confidant, Oscar Wilde. Inspired by his love of poetry and theatre, Alfie sets out to stage an amateur production of Wilde’s “Salome” in his local church hall. When the production meets unexpected opposition, Alfie is forced to confront the prejudice, shame, and fear that have shaped his life, and discovers the courage it takes to live authentically.

Performances will be staged in the round at the Whisenhunt at Zach Theater. There is movement in the show, but this is not a dance show.

Director: Michael Cooper

Music Director: Ellie Jarrett Shattles

Producer: Marnie Near

How to Audition

Step 1: Send an online submission by Friday, December 18, 2026.

Email the following to Michael Cooper at mcooper@thealchemytheatre.org:

1. Your headshot and resume, as PDFs.
2. The role(s) you’re interested in.
3. A self-tape video (a link is fine), recorded in this order:
   • Slate: your name and the role(s) you’re interested in.
   • Accent excerpt: read the lines below in your best general Irish accent.
     • “We’re an amateur group. We do it for fun, for love. We’re all friends. You’d just be one of us.”
   • Song: 32 bars of a song of your choice that best shows your voice and suits the character you want.
4. An email address where we can reach you.

Step 2: In-person callbacks, Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 2027.

Callbacks are by invitation, based on online submissions. You’ll sing from the score and read character-specific sides, again in your best general Irish accent.

Rehearsals & Commitment

• Rehearsals begin Monday, April 12, 2027, with an evening read-through.
• Rehearsals are mostly weeknights (6:30–10:30 pm) and weekend days. The exact schedule for April and May will be built around cast availability, so please list your conflicts when cast.
• Tech week, May 21–27, 2027, requires a heavier commitment. Please plan to be fully available.
• Strike is required on Sunday, June 13, right after the closing matinee.

Performance Schedule

Evening performances are at 7:00 pm; Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. All dates are 2027.

Roles

All roles are paid. Casting non-Equity, Austin-area talent. Ages listed are playing ages.

Alfie Byrne

PRINCIPAL  ·  Age 35–45  ·  Range E4–A2

A gentle, imaginative bus conductor living a quiet life with his sister in 1964 Dublin. Average looks and build. He reads poetry to his passengers and directs plays at the local St. Imelda’s church. Gay and deeply closeted, a dreamer who idolizes Oscar Wilde, and faces a turning point when he decides to stage Wilde’s provocative play “Salome.”

Robbie Fay

PRINCIPAL  ·  Age 20–30  ·  Range A4–C3

Charismatic, charming Dublin bus driver. Alfie’s co-worker, closest friend, and the object of Alfie’s unrequited affection. Grounded, honest, and likeable, with an energy that draws people in. Seemingly carefree, but carries his own hidden sorrow, including an affair with a married parishioner.

Lily Byrne

PRINCIPAL  ·  Age 40–50  ·  Range C5–Eb3

Alfie’s older sister. Domineering and maternal. Holds onto traditional Catholic values and berates Alfie for wasting his time on amateur theatre. Has put her own romantic and personal life on hold, delaying marriage until Alfie is settled.

Adele Rice

PRINCIPAL  ·  Age 18–25  ·  Range E5–Ab3

A young woman new to Alfie’s bus route, whom he thinks will be perfect for the title role in his play. A sweet “small-town” girl, wise beyond her years, and an outsider to this established church community.

William Carney / Oscar Wilde

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 45–60  ·  Range E4–A2

Carney is the local butcher and a parish leader. He usually stars in Alfie’s productions and has an enormous ego about it; the most socially and morally conservative member of the community. Doubles as the imaginary, flamboyant Oscar Wilde.

Baldy O’Shea / Monsignor

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 50–70  ·  Range E4–B2

Baldy is a quiet man, the resident stage manager at St. Imelda’s, who lost his wife early in life and carries beautiful memories of her. Also plays the Monsignor who shuts down Alfie’s production of “Salome.”

Father Kenny / Ernie Lally / Carson

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 30–50  ·  Range E4–G2

Father Kenny is the parish priest of St. Imelda’s, a moral authority who mostly supports Alfie but clashes with him over “Salome.” Ernie Lally is the St. Imelda’s Players’ enthusiastic, eccentric prop master and set designer: dedicated, upbeat, and theatrical. Carson is the ill-tempered, strict bus supervisor and Alfie and Robbie’s boss.

Breton Beret / Peter

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 20–35  ·  Range C4–A2

Breton Beret (in today’s terms, an “app-basher”) is a handsome, alluring, but edgy and unsavory young man who seduces men and then assaults them for being queer. His advances toward Alfie deepen Alfie’s internal conflict. Peter is the Players’ young stagehand, a gritty working-class Dubliner who sees theatre as a fading art and rock and roll as the future.

Mrs. Mary Patrick

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 35–40  ·  Range E5–D4

A married, outspoken, highly religious parishioner and mother of three who is also Robbie’s lover. Leads the neighborhood opposition to “Salome.”

Mrs. Maureen Curtain

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 30–50  ·  Range D5–A3

The troupe’s energetic actor and choreographer. A former child star, now married with nine children, so she loves to get out of the house. May still be able to tap a bit, but more likely fakes it.

Miss Oona Crowe / Kitty Farrelly

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 40–50  ·  Range A5–B3

Miss Crowe is a gossipy spinster, the company’s costume designer, who fancies herself a very experienced actress. Kitty Farrelly is a brassy, loud, sharp-witted, down-to-earth worker at the local pub.

Mrs. Margaret Grace

SUPPORTING  ·  Age 50–60  ·  Range E5–G3

A long-time, wealthy member of St. Imelda’s and its amateur troupe. Takes acting very seriously and believes others should too.

Additional minor characters are played by the company.

Our Commitment

The Alchemy Theatre is committed to creating a diverse space that ensures an equitable and inclusive culture internally, and to challenging inequity through bold, intimate, and truthful storytelling. We welcome all artists without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected status.

Questions? Email mcooper@thealchemytheatre.org

Thank you for submitting!

www.thealchemytheatre.org