The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov delves deeply into the emotional landscape of the Russian aristocracy’s decline and the burgeoning middle class at the dawn of the 20th century. It poignantly follows the Ranevskaya family as they return to their beloved ancestral estate, facing the imminent auction that threatens to strip them of their heritage due to overwhelming debts. This timeless narrative beautifully encapsulates themes of loss, memory, and the often-fruitless desire to cling to the past, as Ranevskaya and her family grapple with the harsh realities of their changing world. With a unique adaptation by the brilliant Tom Stoppard, the play not only preserves Chekhov’s profound insights but also invites contemporary reflection on materialism and social change.

Audition Sign Up: Please choose a time to audition using our Sign-Up Genius here: https://tinyurl.com/bdzedycs 

Online Audition Form: Please fill out Los Altos Stage Company’s virtual audition form here: https://forms.gle/5LWuAjRc7juL1fJMA This must be filled out in addition to the Sign-Up Genius. 

Audition requirements: Please prepare one two-minute classic or contemporary monologue.

It is preferable that you audition in person, but if you are unable to do so, video submissions will be considered.  Please fill out the audition form linked above and send your video to rebecca.lasc@gmail.com by 10 PM on October 10, 2025. Callbacks must be in person. 

Rehearsals: Sundays 6 PM - 10 PM and Mondays through Thursdays 7 PM - 10 PM. First rehearsal is Sunday March 8, 2025. Q2Q is Sunday, April 12 from 12 PM to 10 PM. Tech week is Monday April 13 through Wednesday April 15, 6 PM to 11 PM.

Performance dates: Wednesdays through Sundays, from April 16 through May 10, 2026. Wednesday-Saturday performances start at 8 PM. Sundays start at 3 PM. 

Please forward questions to LASC’s Production Manager, Rebecca Voss at rebecca.lasc@gmail.com.

Roles: All roles are currently open. LASC does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, gender, religion, age, marital or veteran's status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or genetics. LASC is committed to diversity in all its casting. Actors are highly encouraged to audition for any role they are interested in, regardless of previous portrayals of that role.  Ages added for context.

Ranevskaya – (mid 40s to mid 60s) A once rich landowner in middle age, she has suffered the deaths of her husband and young son Grisha and rejection by a freeloading lover.  After a five-year exodus in Paris, Ranyevskaya returns home to discover she is also about to lose her estate. In flight from suffering, she is reckless, entitled and compelling.

Lopakhin -  (20s to 30s) The son of serfs grew up on the estate and has been attached to Ranyevskaya since boyhood. He is a coarse, energetic, self-made product of the growing Russian bourgeoisie. He offers Ranyevskaya and her family a way out of their financial mess but the gulf created by class is unbridgeable.

Trofimov – (20s) Once Grisha’s tutor, he is a reminder of Ranyevskaya’s terrible loss and possibly bears some guilt for it. In his twenties he burns with a self-immolating idealism. An eternal student he pontificates about a bright future free of the shackles represented by Ranyevskaya and her class. He both criticises and pities her delusions. Possibly in love with her daughter Anya, who adores him.

Gayev - (mid 40s to mid 60s) In his fifties, Ranyevskaya’s brother has been softened by his dependent life.  He sucks sweets, mimes playing billiards and forgets to dress. A terrible snob it is impossible to imagine how he will survive the loss of the estate.

Varya - (20s) Ranyevskaya’s adopted daughter manages the estate. In her twenties she alone comprehends the implications of their impending loss. Marriage to Lopakhin represents personal salvation if only he would ask her.

Anya - (late teens to early 20s) Ranyevskaya’s seventeen year old daughter and still somewhat childlike, she is innocently exasperated by her mother. The loss of the estate only registers because it hurts Ranyevskaya.

Pischik (30s to 40s) A fellow landowner also in financial difficulties and forever on the scrounge. He lives in the belief that something will turn up. And it does.

Charlotte - (30s to 50s) Anya’s entirely inappropriate governess is a loner who has previously survived as a travelling entertainer. Temporarily attached to the family, she entertains the family with her tricks whilst serving as their critic.

Firs – (70s to 80s) - The eighty seven year old servant is probably senile.  He eulogizes the good old days of serfdom when everyone knew their place. The family exhibits no sentimentality whatsoever towards him or his dedicated servitude.

Yepikhodov – (20s to 30s) A clerk on the estate and hopelessly in love with Dunyasha. He is mercilessly mocked by the other characters for his odd speech, squeaky shoes, chronic clumsiness and suicidal romantic outbursts.

Yasha - (20s to 30s) A dashing callow young man servant employed by Ranyevskaya and disliked by everyone except Dunyasha.

Dunyasha – (20s) A maid thoroughly smitten by Yasha but still wondering if she’d be better off with Yephikhodov’s oddly expressed but honorable intentions. She has been a satellite of the family all her young life.

Ensemble (2) – (any age) The ensemble actors will play the parts of Passerby, Station Master, Post Office Clerk, Party Guests, and Servants.