Audition Call — Playthings
Psychological horror film
A young girl is seen as an outcast by her family, socially isolated from the world and her friends at school. She hasn’t really found a place in the world, and her parents are worried about her. She starts to turn to other means of connecting with people rather than meeting them face to face, she starts to use the Internet to her advantage. Through her interactions online, strange figures start to appear in her life, acting as both an omen and a blessing. The dysfunctionality of her family culminates in a final breaking point where she has to choose between her newfound “Friends” and her “Family”, ultimately deciding to choose the one that has made her feel more like family than anything else on the planet. A tale of loneliness and online influence, this film is meant to tell the story of a disorderly family and parasocial relationships.
Father (Middle-Aged Male)
Read both options below:
Option 1 – Drunk and confrontational:
(The father stumbles in after going to the bar. He’s angry, dismissive, and slightly paranoid.)
“What the hell are you doing? I told you, you’re too old to be playing with those things anymore! You need to start making some real friends, with some real people, in the real world.
These are just playthings — they don’t mean anything, and they creep me out. It feels like they’re always watching me. I don’t like being watched.
If you won’t stop playing with those stupid things, I will make you stop!” (He breaks the toys.)
“OH, stop crying. They’re not real. I’m real. They’re not.
Now go get me a beer or something. Make yourself useful.”
Option 2 – Scared but protective:
(Father confronts a threatening presence. He’s terrified but trying to stay strong.)
“Honey… I love you. But I need you to get out of here. Take the kids and run.” (Turns to the intruder)
“Get out of my house before I call the police. I mean it. I will shoot you too if I have to.
Get away from me, you don’t scare me.
Back up before you do something you regret, buddy. I’m not afraid to use this thing.”
Mother (Middle-Aged Female)
Choose one of the two monologues below:
Option 1 – Concerned, heartfelt:
“How was school today, honey?”
(Silence from the daughter)
“The only thing I want for you and your sister is to just be happy doing what you love. But I never see you playing with other kids.
You’re always up in your room on that computer thing, doing God knows what.
And recently, your sister has been doing very well for herself — she’s getting good grades, she’s Co-Captain of the soccer team, and she started dating a boy.
I just want what’s best for you, sweetie. Please, try and make an effort to have some friends. I know it would be good for you.”
Option 2 – Panicked and heartbroken:
“Who are you?
You don’t cry, you don’t scream, you don’t run — please just do something!
They took your father and you just… stared at them!
They’re trying to kill our family and… and you’re just letting it happen?!
This isn’t my daughter — this isn’t the girl I love.
Please… don’t let this happen.”
Older Sister (17-18 Years Old)
Scared and trying to make sense of the chaos.
“This isn’t random.
These psychos know us.
They know her. That’s why she’s just letting it happen.
She’s not scared because she knows… they aren’t after her.
They’re after us.”
CULT MEMBERS
(All wear masks. Please select the role you’re auditioning for and read the lines accordingly.)
The Hollow Man (Older Male, deep voice, zealous and deranged):
“The light has led us here.
After many nights of suffering, and many days of seclusion, we have finally arrived.
The false ones have tried to keep us from you — to hide you from us — but they are unworthy of you.
We want you, and we need you. We are yours always and forever, little Sun.
Now tell us what we must do.”
The Maw (Thin, whispery, feral; gender flexible):
“They are blind, the false ones.
They cannot see you — your beauty, your mind.
They locked you away, treated you like trash…
But we found you.
And we will never leave you.”
Smiley (Motherly/Fatherly, warm but unsettling):
“Why do you all look so scared?
We are not here for you.
We are here for the little one.
Our Sun. Our guiding light.
Such a sweet thing. Isn’t she so bright and full of wisdom?
She is not false, like the many faces upon the waves of people.
She is not a mere girl — she is a calling.
She is a God.”
The Follower – (Silent, intimidating presence. No lines. Please prepare a short movement piece or intimidating posture to showcase physical presence.)
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