Ruthie and Bill's grown children - a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star - all return home for Thanksgiving in 1980, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too, as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, this typical American family discovers that, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations. As Woody Allen once said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans..." (dramedy)

When:

• Monday, September 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Reclamation Church - 901 Cross Bend Rd, Plano, TX 75023

Directions: Google Maps to Event Venue Apple Maps to Event Venue

Credits

By Sean Grennan

Production Crew

Director: Glynda Welch

Audition Details

• For an appointment, please include your full name and choose your preferred time via Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090549AEAB29A20-64784435-auditions
• Sign up for an appointment time via Signup Genius, and access to a script will be made available to you
• Please ensure you are familiar with the play before coming to auditions
• Be prepared to read scenes from the script
• Please bring a resume and headshot or recent photo
• References may be required

Please visit Rover’s website at https://www.roverdramawerks.com/ or call (972) 849-0358 for more information.

Tentative Rehearsals & Performances Calendar

All conflicts must be noted at time of audition.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be in Plano and will begin in late September – to be set based on theater schedule and conflicts of cast.

Performances

Making God Laugh is the final show in Rover’s 26th Season.

• Thursday, November 5 at 8:00 PM
• Friday, November 6 at 8:00 PM
• Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 PM
• Saturday, November 7 at 8:00 PM
• Thursday, November 12 at 8:00 PM
• Friday, November 13 at 8:00 PM
• Saturday, November 14 at 3:00 PM
• Saturday, November 14 at 8:00 PM
• Friday, November 20 at 8:00 PM
• Saturday, November 21 at 3:00 PM
• Saturday, November 21 at 8:00 PM
• Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 PM

Cox Playhouse
1517 H Ave, Plano, TX 75074

Characters

Roles: 2 women and 3 men

All roles are available.

Every character in this play ages 30 years over the course of the show in gradual increments. Director strongly recommends reading the full script in advance of auditioning to understand the challenge this creates.

Ruthie

The mother, is in her late 40s or early 50s as the play opens. She is a devout Catholic. She is bossy, authoritative, and means well, but stays out of the real world as much as possible. She needles her husband and adult children, but she really does love them and wants the best for them.

Bill

The dad, in his late 40s to mid 50s as the play opens. He loves his wife (even though he's a little afraid of her) and his children. Easygoing, kind, and loving he tries to keep everything going smoothly without hurting anyone's feelings.

Richard

Eldest son, is mid to late 20s at start. He misses the spotlight of his high school football hero days and chases style and status through a series of failed endeavors. His younger siblings team up to pick on him in mostly good-natured ways.

Maddie

Only daughter & middle child, is the only one who has left her hometown. In the opening scene she is in her mid-20s. An aspiring actress, she lives in New York and struggles with the artist's life and her life-life. She and her mother have a difficult relationship. Maddie loves her family and doesn't feel she fits in.

Thomas

Baby of the family is the "good" son. Easy-going like his father, he is studying for the priesthood. In his early 20s in the opening scene, he's religious but not rigid in his approach to life. He means well but like everyone else his life will turn out differently than he plans.