MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Stage 9 Theatre is calling all local performers to audition for its upcoming production of Into the Breeches, a heartfelt and humorous play set during World War II. Directed by Wes Bartlett, auditions will be held Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, July 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Stage 9, located in downtown Hutchinson.
Set in 1942, Into the Breeches tells the story of a small-town theater troupe facing a major dilemma: with the men away fighting the war, the women left behind are determined to keep the arts alive. Led by Maggie Dalton, the director’s wife, the women aim to stage Shakespeare’s Henriad — a mash-up of Henry IV and Henry V — with an all-female cast. The play’s title is a clever nod to both “breeches” (trousers typically worn by men) and the famous line from Shakespeare: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends.”
Bartlett says the production is both funny and thought-provoking, tackling themes of gender roles, racial inclusion, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the wartime emotional toll on families. "It’s a play within a play, and it shines a light on the challenges and triumphs of women stepping into roles traditionally held by men," said Bartlett, a longtime director and former history teacher. “It also reflects on social issues that are still relevant today, such as equal pay and opportunity.”
The cast includes eight characters: six women and two men. Notable roles include Maggie Dalton, the determined director; Celeste Fielding, a dramatic diva; Ida Green, the Black costume mistress stepping into a new spotlight; and a gay stagehand who unexpectedly joins the cast — all of whom confront stereotypes and resistance as they work to put on the play.
Bartlett said no singing experience is required, as this is not a musical. However, a small acapella group number appears late in the show. He encourages anyone interested in storytelling, history, or character-driven drama to audition — even those new to the stage.
For those unable to attend auditions this weekend, Bartlett is offering flexible scheduling and encourages interested performers to contact him via the Stage 9 Facebook page to make arrangements.
Performances of Into the Breeches are scheduled for September 25–28. For more information, visit www.stage9hutch.com.