THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Directed by Michael Kharfen
Produced by Laura W. Andruski and Nancy Somers
Play Description
Based on the well-known book of the same name, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the play, tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who is neurodiverse, lives with his father in a town west of London, UK. He excels in math and aims to take his A-level college examinations early. One night, he finds his neighbor’s dog has been killed and he vows to solve the mystery of the murder. In his detective work, he learns more than he intended about his family, himself, and the world beyond Swindon. Christopher’s school mentor Siobhan encourages Christopher to write his experiences in a book, which is narrated in the play. Themes of the play are connections – emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual; disorder – no matter how much one wants to have life structured, it is messy; and acceptance – of others, ourselves, and conditions of life. Winning the Tony Award for Best Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is an extraordinary, exhilarating, and exacting experience.
Audition Dates
Sunday February 22, 2026 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Monday February 23, 2026 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Callbacks, if necessary, Thursday February 26, 2026 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
Location*
ATMTC Academy (Wintergreen Plaza)
837-D Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(upper level, elevator available NW corner of parking lot)
*Please note that this location is different from the usual RLT audition sites.
Roles and Casting Opportunities
The cast consists of 10 actors ranging in age from teens to 60’s or older. There are four individual roles, and six actors will play 24 roles. Actors of all ages, races, ethnicities, and gender identities will be considered for this production. Actors who identify as neurodiverse are particularly encouraged to audition for the role of Christopher. The play will be done with British accents, but accents are not required for auditions.
Christopher Boone (15-18 or looks in that age range) – while not explicitly defined, he is on a spectrum of autism. He possesses the characteristics of a person with autism: difficulty with relationships (not comfortable with strangers), focused behavior (counts prime numbers), and sensitivities (sound, touch). He is devoted to his father, mentor, and his pet rat Toby. When he commits to an endeavor he is determined to achieve it. The discoveries he makes will test his abilities and emotions beyond all his expectations and experiences.
Siobhan (30’s-40’s) – para-professional at Christopher’s school, she is Christopher’s mentor, confidant, and advisor. She genuinely cares about him and recommends he write his book. Without his mother, Christopher sometimes projects on her as his mother, but she is a professional and reminds him in those instances. She is also the principal narrator of his story.
Ed Boone (35-50) – Christopher’s father and has a business repairing home heating units. He is devoted to Christopher and is his patient, sole caregiver. Sometimes, he is frustrated with him at times when he doesn’t follow his directions. He has secrets that he has kept from Christopher for what he believes is in Christopher’s best interest. Those secrets test the trust between them.
Judy Boone (35-50) – Christopher’s mother who loves him, but when he was younger, she struggled with and could not interact with his neurodiversity. In her inability to care for Christopher and relate to Ed, she made other life choices. She aims to show Christopher that she can be his mother.
Ensemble:
Actor One, female (late 30s–50s) – Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne, Woman on Train, Shopkeeper.
Actor Two, male (40s–50s) – Roger Shears, Duty Sergeant, Mr. Wise, Man Behind Counter, Drunk One.
Actor Three, male (20s–40s) – Policeman, Mr. Thompson, Drunk Two, Man with Socks, London Policeman.
Actor Four, male (40s–60s) – Reverend Peters, Uncle Terry, Station Policeman, Station Guard.
Actor Five, female (20s-30s) – No. 40, Lady in the Street, Information, Punk Girl
Actor Six, female (50s-60s) – Mrs. Alexander, Posh Woman
Production Schedule
Rehearsals start: March, expect 2-3 weekday evenings and 1 weekend day rehearsals.
Performances: May 1-10, 2026; 6 performances. Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm. Please note there is a daytime performance and talk-back session for a student audience on Friday May 8 at 10:00 am.
Auditions
Cold readings from the script.
Note: The script contains strong language and adult content.
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Please download, fill out and send your form and any attachments (headshot/resume) to curiousincident@rlt-online.org. Or you can print the form and bring it with you to auditions. For those unable, we will have additional paper forms available at auditions.
For any addition questions, please contact the director curiousincident@rlt-online.org using the subject line “Special Audition Request” or “Audition Question.” Include the reason for your request and your contact information.