Encore’s Fall Play is Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Adapted by Kate Hamill
October 2-4, 2026 at The Junction Center
About Sense and Sensibility
Set in 1790 Sense and Sensibility is one of Jane Austen’s well known books about a mother and her daughters who just lost the male bread-winner in the family and therefore lose their status and are sent to live in a simple cottage. Austen often pokes fun at the upper crust and this version is no different. The adaptation is hysterically funny with the various characters including the Dashwood family, their relatives, neighbors and acquaintances. Some scenes are farcical and Kate Hamill does a good job of not letting anyone get away with taking themselves too seriously. To add to the humor, there are five Gossips who act as narrators at times, play bit parts in the play and even act as dogs in a scene with the nosy neighbors.
There’s even a girl fight! The plot is not lost as the foundation of the story, but clean “Monty-Python”-like moments are welcomed.
There are many male and female roles, some of which will be doubled and possibly tripled. These are great characters for everyone to develop. Mrs Panyard will add games and exercises to help develop character and understand the text and tone of the script. We will include English accent training as well. This educational element coupled with your participation in the performance can possibly turn into a partial language credit for your homeschooling portfolio.
Apply
Please make sure you have filled out an application on the Encore website and have received permission to participate. All applications are reviewed by the Encore Board.
Auditions
Auditions for 8th - 12th graders will take place at Living Hope Church, Middletown.
Thursday, July 30, 2:00-5:00pm
Call Backs on Friday, July 31, 10:00am-1:00pm
Sections of the script will be made available by July 13. You may borrow the play over the summer to read for yourself or order your own copy through Dramatists Play Service, Inc. You are responsible for picking up and returning the scripts.
Signups and audition forms will be on the Encore website. You will be expected to choose two characters you are interested in playing and indicate them on your audition form. Please be familiar with the characters and the language. No memorizing is necessary.
If you are not available on the audition dates, please email Mrs Panyard to audition before July 30. It’s possible you may be asked to send in a video audition.
Rehearsal Schedule
Rehearsals will be held at Living Hope Church, Middletown and The Junction Center, Manheim. Performances on October 2-4 are at TJC.
Rehearsals will begin the week of August 10 with most meeting times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with a few Fridays added. Saturday, September 26 and tech week Sept 28-October 4 are Mandatory.
If you have vacations planned during any of that period of time, the judges will need to consider the time you will be away. The play requires intense memorizing and blocking, deep character work and quite a bit of ensemble work. Therefore, being available is important.
Characters, some may be doubled
Elinor Dashwood: the eldest Dashwood; sensible, pragmatic, cares for her family deeply, is romantic at heart.
Marianne Dashwood: the middle sister; sensitive, very emotional and romantic.
Margaret Dashwood: the youngest sister of 12-13 years old. Very curious and tomboy-ish.
Mrs. Dashwood: recent widow, mother to the three girls. Nervous about all their futures.
John Dashwood: half-brother to the Dashwood sisters from the father’s side—no blood relation to Mrs Dashwood. Self-centered, easily manipulated.
Fanny Ferrars Dashwood: wife of John Dashwood and sister to Edward. Nasty, selfish and manipulative.
Edward Ferrars: a gentleman, bachelor-kind, reserved, upright
Robert Ferrars: immature young man. Edward’s younger brother.
Mrs. Ferrars: Mother of the above 3 children. She says very little and often played as a puppet.
Colonel Brandon: older bachelor. Well-established, gentlemanly, loyal, devoted to Marianne.
John Willoughby: handsome young man. Charming but deceitful.
Sir John Middleton: country gentleman, distant relation to Mrs Dashwood. Overly friendly and sincere.
Lady Middleton: wife to Sir John, daughter to Mrs Jennings. An over-bred lady-arrogant and sophisticated. Says very few words
Mrs. Jennings: good-natured energetic and loud. In good standing with society
Lucy Steele: young girl from no fortune. “Engaged” to Edward
Anne Steele: Lucy’s sister; indiscreet
Servants including Thomas and Doctor
5 Gossips: a chorus of high-society creatures who pop up anywhere. Funny and gossipy. They help to move the story along and move set pieces sometimes as they talk. Must be very energetic and willing to be bold and big on stage.