Auditions for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” written by Dale Wasserman, produced in cooperation with Concord Theatrical, will take place this February. This stage adaptation of Ken Kesey's celebrated novel explores the brutality of life in a mental institution with humor, candor, and unforgettable characters.

Cast size: 4 w, 13 men (all adult roles). See character breakdown below. Ages may vary depending on the casting makeup of all characters. The established gender of the characters cannot be changed under contract with the publisher. Some adult language and situations. Dalton Little Theatre does not edit scripts for language or action; therefore, all performers are expected to perform the script as written. Run time of show: 120 minutes

Directed by Tammy Rice. Audition Dates: Sunday, February 22, 2:00 p.m., Monday, February 23, 6:30 p.m.

Auditions will take place at Dalton Little Theatre in the historic Old Firehouse, 210 N. Pentz Street

Call-back and additional auditions may be held on February 24th. Actors interested in the roles of Randle McMurphy and Nurse Ratched should anticipate participating in callbacks on the 24th. If available, attendance on both dates is preferred for actors specifically auditioning for those two roles, but is not required.

Production Dates: May 1,2,3,8,9 2026

Read-through rehearsals will commence at the end of February, followed by a full rehearsal schedule in March and April. Specific rehearsal schedules will be determined based on the actor's schedules and the requirements of each role.

Summary from the Publisher: This stage adaptation of Ken Kesey's celebrated novel explores the brutality of life in a mental institution with humor, candor, and unforgettable characters. After being convicted of a petty crime, a charming, rebellious rogue named McMurphy contrives to serve his short sentence in an airy mental institution rather than in prison. This, he soon learns, was a mistake. He immediately clashes with the authoritarian head nurse, a fierce martinet named Nurse Ratched. Despite Ratched's strict reign, McMurphy quickly takes over the yard, leading others out of introversion, staging a revolt so that they can see the World Series on television, and arranging a rollicking midnight party with liquor and women. But McMurphy's brash insubordination has its consequences.

13 Males & 4 Females.  An ethnically diverse cast is desired. Flexible age ranges for all characters. 

THE PATIENTS

RANDLE P. MCMURPHY – (Male, Patient 30’s to 40’s) A gambler, a con man, and a backroom brawler.Has a devilish grin and has a wide open, extroverted air, which is in harsh contrast to the environment of the ward.  He will have kissing scenes and a choreographed fight scene. Wears just a towel in another scene. Uses foul language. 

CHIEF BROMDEN – (M, Patient ‐ 20’s to 50’s) The huge, bull‐muscled, half‐breed son of an Indian Chief. He has been in the hospital for more than ten years, longer than any other patient in the ward. Bromden sees modern society as a huge, oppressive conglomeration that he calls the  Combine, and the hospital as a place meant to fix people who do not conform.

BILLY BIBBIT – (M, Patient ‐20s to 30s)  Shy and has a bad stutter. He seems younger than his age.  Dominated by his mother, one of Nurse Ratched’s close friends. Billy is voluntarily in the hospital. 

SCANLON – (M, Patient ‐ 20’s to 60) Involuntarily committed to the hospital. He has fantasies of blowing things up. Uses foul language.

CHEWSICK- (M, Patient, 40-60) Man of talk but little action, anxious, loud-mouthed but truly timid. A worrier, first to align with McMurphy, but meets a tragic ending.

MARTINI- (M, Patients 20-40) gentle, delusional, mentally disabled, "child-like”, very vulnerable to Nurse Ratched’s oppression, comic relief.

RUCKLEY- (M, Patient 20-60) acutely ill, permanently institutionalized after a botched lobotomy. Lives in a “vegetative” state, staring blankly, outbursts and screaming obscenities, a tragic character (no spoken lines but essential behaviors, uses profane language)

The Staff

NURSE RATCHED – (F, Staff, 30’s to 50’s) The head of the hospital ward. She masks her humanity and femininity behind a stiff, patronizing façade. She weakens her patients through a psychologically manipulative program designed to destroy their self‐esteem. Ratched’s emasculating, mechanical ways slowly drain all traces of humanity from her patients. Will have a choreographed fight scene.

NURSE FLINN – (F, Staff ‐ 20’s To 60’s) A vapid woman with apprehensive eyes. She wears a gold cross at her throat, a sign of her strict Catholic upbringing. She is fearful of the patients’ sexuality.  She is fearful in general. 

AIDE WARREN M, Staff  20’s to 40’s. The Day Time Aides. Cruel and demeaning, they are Nurse Ratched’s stooges. (Fight scenes,  use foul language) 

 AIDE WILLIAM  (M, Staff  20’s to 40’s) The Day Time Aides. Cruel and demeaning, they are Nurse Ratched’s stooges. (Fight scenes, both use foul language) 

DR. FLYNN-(M, staff) Mild-mannered Dr, easily cowed and dominated by Nurse Ratched until McMurphy’s arrival

AIDE TURKLE – (M, Staff ‐ 50s to 70s) The nighttime orderly for Nurse Ratched’s ward. He is an elderly Tech/night watchman who smokes marijuana. McMurphy bribes him to help arrange the novel's final party.

OTHERS

CANDY STARR – (F,  21 to 40) A prostitute from Portland with a "heart of gold." She is physically attractive and passive, and relieves Billy Bibbit of his virginity. Will have kissing scenes.

SANDRA - (F, Other ‐ 30 ‐ 45) Candy's older and less‐physically attractive friend; comes with her to the party on the ward 

Crew and Tech

Audition nights are a great opportunity to come out, meet the director, and express your interest in helping out backstage.