BELFAST — Belfast Maskers will hold open auditions for the first production of its 2023 season, “A Doll’s House, Part 2”. Auditions will be held Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 6 - 9 p.m., at the Basil Burwell Community Theater, 17 Court Street in Belfast.

Written by Lucas Hnath in 2017, the play takes place in the same house as Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking classic A Doll’s House. It opens with a knock on the very door that Nora, a young wife and mother, walked out of fifteen years before. She left behind her controlling husband and their three small children, never to return.

Bill Burford (SDC) directs.

The show’s run is Thursday, March 9, 2023 through Sunday, March 19.

"Hnath’s play is every bit as powerful as Ibsen’s 1879 original, but also pretty wry.” said Burford, in a news release. “The four characters are each bright, articulate, each with their own compelling perspective. It’s entertaining, but also quite emotional, challenging for both men and women. A play about marriage and a woman’s personal autonomy.”

Protagonist Nora is 42 to 50 years of age when the play begins. Respected lawyer and banker Torvald was her husband (55-65). Anne Marie (65-70) is now Torvald’s housekeeper, but was once nanny to both Nora as a child and to Nora’s children. Emmy is Nora’s youngest child, now a self-possessed young woman, about 20 years of age.

Actors are asked to prepare an audition piece of less than a minute, or to read a piece of their choice; they may also be asked to read another monologue or scene. On arrival at auditions, actors will sign in for individual audition slots. Burford asks that actors unfamiliar with Ibsen’s original read that play, or a synopsis, prior to auditions.

The full season of events, as well as tickets to the holiday comedy "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, can be found at http://www.belfastmaskers.com. Producer and Maskers’ Artistic Director Meg Nickerson (maskermeg@gmail.com) can provide perusal scripts, and answer any questions about these auditions or the 2023 Season.

The Basil Burwell Community Theater, home of the Belfast Maskers, is fully accessible, but please also contact Nickerson if you need any special accommodation.