Auditions
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Superior Donuts
By Tracy Letts
Directed by James Kiesel
Auditions: Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September 2025
Callbacks: Monday 15 September 2025
Read through: 21 September
Rehearsals: 28 September 2025 - 25 November 2025
Performance Dates: Wednesday 26 November - Saturday 6 December 2025
Packout: Sunday 7 December 2025
Arthur Przybyszewski (that's (p)Shub-er-shef-ski), is the proprietor of a modest, behind-the-times donut shop in uptown Chicago. He can't seem to find joy in anything these days, not even the donuts he used to take such pride in making by hand. Vandals armed with spray paint, predatory landlords, and that nefarious Starbucks down the road all threaten to unceremoniously snuff out the only thing he's got left.
That is, until an upstart, ambitious young man shoulders his way into becoming a Superior Donuts employee, and an unlikely friendship (or is it a rivalry?) develops, inspiring both to face the demons they've been hiding from all this time. This is a sharp-witted, heartfelt comedy by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracey Letts (“August: Osage County”) offering a warm and wry take on depression, diversity, and bravery that will leave you feeling all fluffy and sugary on the inside. Plus, who knows, you might get a donut!
Auditions will be on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September, with callbacks the evening of Monday 15 September at Toi Poneke Arts Centre, 61/69 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
To book an audition slot please complete the Iron audition form or, if you have questions about the production, please contact auditions@stagecraft.co.nz
Rehearsals
Will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, starting Sun 29 June, with more added closer to the run.
Access
We are not anticipating any major access issues.
Stage combat
There will be some stage combat requirements for some characters.
Characters
Arthur Przybyszewski [Male, Polish, 50s - 60s]
The owner and operator of Superior Donuts. Old, grumpy, and more than a little depressed. Secretly an artisan and a scholar, he’s spent his whole life running from conflict. Until now? [Has a scene involving some violence]
Franco Wicks [Male, African-American, 20s]
Young, idealistic, a little pushy, and full of attitude and energy. Franco believes that good things will happen to him despite all odds, and evidence, to the contrary. A former employee of Luther.
Max [Male, Russian, 40s - 60s]
Owner of the DVD shop next door, Max is interested in buying Superior Donuts to expand his (tiny) capitalist empire. Fancies himself a self-made man. [Speaks in a Russian accent, along with some dialogue in Russian]
Randy [Female, Irish-American, 30s - 40s]
Raised in the middle of 7 brothers and working as a cop in the Chicago Police Department, Randy’s always been ‘one of the boys’. Big hockey fan. Has a soft spot for Arthur.
James [Male, African-American, 30s - 40s]
Another cop with the Chicago Police Department and Randy’s beat partner. Well-respected in the community and [not so] secretly a giant Star Trek nerd. [Will consider any and all BIPOC actors for this role]
Lady [Female, Irish-American, 60s - 70s]
Likely homeless and definitely a little hard-of-hearing, Lady is a well-known as a confusing-but-likeable, perhaps even mascot-like figure in the Uptown community. Well past the point of giving a crap about what other people think.
Kevin [Male, Irish, 20s]
Another of Luther’s employees, Kevin’s probably fallen into the wrong crowd as a young man, but it doesn’t seem to trouble him that much. Seems to care mostly about getting paid and drinking Coca-Cola.
Kiril [Male, Russian, 20s - 30s]
A shy man of few words (mostly ‘hello’), Kiril is an intimidating figure with a big soft heart beating beneath his tall muscular frame. Brought into the fold to be a construction worker and bodyguard, he’s mostly interested in falling in love with the local bartender. [Most dialogue is in Russian]
Book an audition
Audition are now open!
To book an audition slot please complete the Iron audition form or, if you have questions about the production, please contact auditions@stagecraft.co.nz.