Winnipesaukee Playhouse holding auditions for winter and spring shows

MEREDITH — Having just wrapped up the 2025 season, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse will hold auditions for upcoming productions in the 2026 season for their local divisions – the Winni Players Community Theatre and the education department. Participation in these two divisions is open to all local performers and anyone with an interest in the performing arts is encouraged to participate, regardless of previous experience.

The education department is the performing wing for local students ages 8-18. It is holding auditions for two upcoming productions on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 12. Students ages 8-13 have the opportunity to audition for “The Witches,” an imaginative adaptation of the Roald Dahl book. It will be directed by Patte Sarausky, a retired elementary school teacher who has helmed many productions for this age group at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse.

Students 13-18 can audition for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a play adaptation of the popular novel by Mark Haddon, which became a hit both in London and on Broadway. It will be directed by Heather Williams.

The Winni Players, the Playhouse’s resident community theater group, is holding auditions for two productions as well. “The Hobbit” will be one of this year’s live radio dramas. A yearly highlight of the Winni Players season, the radio drama allows actors the opportunity to let their voice acting shine. Set in a radio studio, actors will read from scripts as they reenact the process of producing a radio play from a bygone era — including live Foley sound. The annual radio play is a great way for those less experienced to get themselves onstage as it has a shorter rehearsal process and there is no memorization required.

Local adults who want to delve deeper may want to consider auditioning for Agatha Christie’s thriller “Witness for the Prosecution.” This courtroom drama will be performed at the historic New Hampton Town House, once the site of spirited town meetings and public debates which will be the perfect backdrop for the site-specific production.

Auditioners can opt to audition for both “The Hobbit,” which will be directed by Margaret Lundberg, and “Witness for the Prosecution,” directed by Cory Lawson, if they choose. Auditions are being held on Thursday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 17.

For more information, visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.