Audition: The Night of January 16th by Ayn Rand

We’re short a few roles. Please contact the director Johann Van Der Merwe on johann1wp@gmail.com
PERFORMANCE DATES: 06 February 2026 – 22 February 2026
DIRECTOR: Johann Van Der Merwe
The Night of January 16th by Ayn Rand is a full‑length courtroom drama with a live audience jury deciding the ending each night.
This show will be produced by The Milnerton Players and will be performed at the Milnerton Playhouse Theatre in Cape Town.
This is a community theatre production, and there will be no remuneration for any cast or crew.
SYNOPSIS
A courtroom drama. Karen Andrè stands accused of murdering her former boss and lover. Witnesses’ evidence may sway the jury for – or against her. Could there possibly be more suspects? The two Lawyers fight it out across the courtroom floor. The Judge keeps tight control over unfolding events. The jury’s decision will decide the end of the play; and Karen Andrè’s fate…
The story is set in the United States with many cultural references; therefore, an American accent is required for most characters. These accents do not have to be perfect, and do not all need to be consistent – so any American lilt will be suitable.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsal are expected to start at the Milnerton Playhouse in the fourth term of 2025.
Auditionees will be asked to indicate their availability during the December/January school break, as rehearsing with individual “witnesses” without the full cast present is an option with this play. However, all actors who are cast would be required to be near word perfect before the close of the schools for the summer break.
CHARACTERS
Judge Heath (Male/Female) 50s+
Gravitas; commands decorum with dry authority.
District Attorney Flint (Male) 40s–60s
Affable shark; moral certitude masking sharp tactics.
Defence Attorney Stevens (Male/Female) 40s–60s
Elegant, incisive; master of the cross‑examination.
Karen Andre (Female) 20s–40s
Intense, poised, emotionally contained until she isn’t. Demands range and courtroom presence.
Dr. Kirkland (Male/Female) 30s–60s
Medical examiner; cool, factual delivery.
John Hutchins (Male) 40s-70s
Night watchman of the Faulkner Building
Homer Van Fleet (Male) 30s–60s
Private detective, a confident witness whose testimony has cracks.
Elmer Sweeney (Male) 30s–60s
Police inspector; straightforward, procedural.
Magda Svenson (Female) 30s–60s
Housekeeper; blunt, memorable testimony; Scandinavian lilt a plus. **Accent does not have to be perfect
Nancy Lee Faulkner (Female) 20s–40s
Polished, proper; conviction that ‘respectability’ equals truth. Young widow of the deceased.
John Graham Whitfield (Male) 50s–70s
Bank titan and father‑in‑law to the deceased; force of old‑money pressure.
Chandler (Male/Female) 20s-30s
Consulting handwriting expert.
Jungquist (Male/Female) 40s-60s
Bookkeeper for Bjorn Faulkner, Scandinavian lilt a plus. **Accent does not have to be perfect
Lawrence ‘Guts’ Regan (Male) 30s–50s
Feared operator/thug in the underworld.
Court Staff (various): Strong character work; doubles possible.
AUDITIONS
On submitting your audition form at https://forms.gle/JVxkRd9svtvMQFYG7 you will be sent dialogue to prepare depending on the characters chosen. You are welcome to audition for multiple roles. Please note that the ages used in the descriptions are indicative of how a character must appear.
Entire Play from NIGHT OF JANUARY SIXTEENTH: A PLAY BOOK by Ayn Rand, edited by Nathaniel Edward Reeid, copyright © 1933 and renewed 1960 by Ayn Rand. Used by permission of David McKay Company, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.