University Theatre Spring 2026 Auditions

WOMEN IN CONGRESS (Ekklesiazousai)

By Aristophanes

Translated by Amanda Krauss and Jess Miner
Directed by Inga Wilson

Open group auditions for the University Theatre spring production of WOMEN IN CONGRESS (Ekklesiazousai) play will be held March 8 and 9 at 6 p.m. in GVGC 106. An additional invited call-back will be March 10 at 6 p.m. if necessary.

WOMEN IN CONGRESS (Ekklesiazousai) a play by Aristophanes translated by Amanda Krauss and Jess Miner. From the translators, “We have always found Aristophanes' Ekklesiazousai hilarious in its original Greek; using existing translations with our classes, however, we noticed that the students were not laughing. Thus began our quest to translate this play: we wanted the world to know how funny, meaningful, and (paradoxically) modern Women In Congress could be.” In this modern adaptation, the Athenian women, led by Praxagora, disguise themselves as men to take over the congress. By establishing their utopia with communal property, shared wealth, and sexual access for all, bawdy mayhem ensues. Through mask and choral work, this production of WOMEN IN CONGRESS (Ekklesiazousai) will encourage questions about political and sexual idealism, binary social norms, and what we consider as ideal anyway.

WHAT TO PREPARE: The open audition evenings will include group games with the director and cold readings from the script. This production will explore big physical work, with the possibility of masks, so please dress ready to move. To prepare, please familiarize yourself with the chosen sides listed below. You may not be able to audition with every side or your chosen sides, but please prepare for roles you are interested in and be prepared to share why they interest you. While WOMEN IN CONGRESS is not a musical, there are opportunities for music and spoken word style poetry/rap. If you feel you have a talent in these areas, please come prepared to share an example of your skill. A pdf of the full script is available to read HERE.

Fill out the online AUDITION FORM HERE before the audition. On the form, you will indicate which night of the open audition you plan on attending.

Auditions are open to all students, staff, faculty, and community members!

PRINCIPAL ROLES:

PRAXAGORA, an Athenian housewife

BLEPYROS, Praxagora's husband

Chorus Roles (with possible double casting assignments):

WOMAN ONE, HAG TWO

WOMAN TWO, HAG THREE

WOMAN THREE, HAG ONE

CHORUS LEADER, FEMALE ANNOUNCER

NEIGHBOR, DISSENTER

CHREMES, EPIGENES

HOT TEENAGE GIRL, SERVING MAID

Rehearsals will start Monday, March 30 at 6pm with a cast read-through. Regular rehearsals will continue with a general schedule of Sundays 12-6 p.m. and Mondays-Thursdays 6-10 p.m. based on cast availability. Tech/Dress rehearsals are May 9-13. Performances run May 14-16 and 22-24. There is a scheduled pick-up rehearsal on May 21. All cast members must be available for all of tech week, performances, and a strike immediately following the closing performance.

For questions, please contact the director Inga Wilson at inga.raelynn.wilson@gmail.com

Audition Sides:

Monologues:

PRAXAGORA monologue: Pages 7-9

CHORUS LEADER: Pages 37-39

BLEPYROS: Pages 40-41

Scenes:

PRAXAGORA, WOMAN ONE, WOMAN TWO, WOMAN THREE: Pages 10-16

PRAXAGORA, WOMAN TWO: Pages 23-27

PRAXAGORA, BLEPYROS: Pages 61-66

CHREMES, DISSENTER: Pages 85-90

HAG, EPIGENES: Pages 115-120