Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde

by Moises Kauffman
Directed by Sarah Merkey
Stage Manager Wendy Brinker

Production Kickoff: Nov 09, 2025

Audition: Nov 16, 2025

Performance Dates

Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 6, Feb. 7, Feb. 13, Feb. & 14, 2026 at 8:00PM
Feb. 8 & 15, 2026 at 2:00PM
Pay-What-You-Will Preview: January 29

Unless specifically noted, all roles are open to all regardless of race or ethnicity.

  • This is an ensemble show with completely flexible casting. It will have 9-14 actors, with almost everyone playing multiple roles. We need lords, lawyers, judges, witnesses, narrators, press, young lovers, and Oscar Wilde himself.
  • All roles are open to any age, race, gender, although a male Oscar Wilde is preferred, age 30+. Possible cameo for an older present-day academic who comments on the action of the play at the top of Act 2.

Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde is a documentary-style play by Moises Kaufman (creator of The Laramie Project) that uses transcripts, letters, and other historical documents to present a fictional recreation of the three trials Oscar Wilde faced in 1895, which ultimately led to his imprisonment for "gross indecency", or as he called it, "the love which dares not speak its name". This very timely play explores themes of bias, discrimination, injustice, the role of art & artists in society, and the criminalization of homosexuality. The script is fast-paced and compelling. The set is minimal. Wilde is charismatic and entertaining, but his fame, wealth and wit cannot save him from his own hubris and recklessness, or from the politics of Victorian England.

Sarah Merkey has her B.A. in Theatre, with a day job in the financial services industry. Sarah has performed with MadLab, Eclipse, and Shakespeare Underground in addition to Trevor, Present Laughter, Marvin's Room, and Secret Garden at Curtain. She has also directed high school and community theatre -- favorite shows include Kiss Me Kate, When Hedy Met Howie, Crimes of the Heart, Into the Woods, and Beauty Queen of Leenane. Sarah's goal in directing is to "hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her true face, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure".

When

  • Production Kickoff: Sun, Nov 09, 2025, 6:30 pm
  • Audition: Sun, Nov 16, 2025

Where

Script review, auditions, and performances take place at:
Curtain Players Theatre
5691 Harlem Road, Galena, OH 43021

Curtain Players offers an information session for each of its productions as a help for actors seeking roles, but attendance is not required to audition. The event is an opportunity for actors to become acquainted with the community theatre organization, to discuss the play with the director, and to ask questions about the audition process, rehearsal period, and production plans. Those interested in working behind the scenes are also invited to attend.

Curtain Players conducts open auditions for its productions. Roles are not cast in advance, and, unless specified otherwise in the role's description, are open to all without regard to race or ethnicity. Casting decisions are made by the director and a casting committee comprised of a member of the theatre board, a general member of the organization, and individuals of the director's choosing.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Sides will be identified prior to the production kickoff.

Requests for an early audition for Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde must be made no later than November 02, 2025.

Questions related to the audition process may be directed to production@curtainplayers.org.


Rehearsals will take place Sunday afternoon or evening, and 3-4 nights a week in December and January, from approx 6:30-9pm. We will take a break for a week between Christmas and New Years. Due to the ensemble nature of the script, actors should expect to be at most rehearsals.
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Curtain Players is an award-winning theater serving the central-Ohio area. We have been routinely recognized by AACT, OCTA, and Theatre Roundtable for our tradition of excellence. Learn more about who we are!