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Sylvia

Showing April 10 - 26, 2026
Fridays, and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM

By A.R. Gurney
Directed by Ian Hales

Fill out the audition form here.

Auditions: January 18-19, 2026, 7PM

Location: ART Mainstage

Ages 18+ only.

Auditions will consist of cold readings. It is strongly encouraged to attend the first night of auditions if possible.

Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy and the audience is put in serious stitches. Will Greg and Kate (and Sylvia) survive this mess?

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Sylvia (Female, 20s-30s)

A dog, probably a Labradoodle. This part is played by a woman that fully converses with the other actors in the play. She is not a woman pretending to be a dog. She is somewhat scruffy and adores everyone she meets. She tries to behave but is very impulsive. She instantly falls in love with Greg. This is a physically active role.

Greg (Male, 40-60)

A middle-aged empty nester who is unhappy with his current situation and experiences a midlife crisis. He finds the dog Sylvia in the park who makes him feel important and loved again.

Kate (Female, 40-60)

Greg’s wife and a very successful and ambitious teacher. She believes that owning a dog will disrupt her and her husband’s newfound freedom after the children have left the nest. This puts a strain on her relationship with her husband.

Actor 4 (plays three roles)

Phyllis (female, 35-60 yrs old)

A good friend of Kate’s who is not much of a dog person.

Tom (male, 35-60 yrs old)

Another dog-owner Greg meets in the park. He has strong opinions about dog ownership.

Leslie (35-60 yrs old)

A couples-therapist whose gender is never revealed.