Worcester County Light Opera Company

Will Hold AUDITIONS 

For Lucy Prebble's

"THE EFFECT"

Written by Lucy Prebble

AUDITION DATES:

July 19, 2026 from 6:00pm

July 20, 2026 from 6:00pm

(By Appointment Only)

AUDITION APPOINTMENT SIGN UP HERE

Auditions, rehearsals and performances to be held at WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY (WCLOC), Grandview Ave. Playhouse, 21 Grandview Avenue, Worcester, MA.

For more information call WCLOC at # 508-753-4383 or visit www.wcloc.org

REHEARSALS: 

• First Rehearsal August 18, 2026 at 6:00pm
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm until 9:00pm
• Sundays from 2:00pm until 5:00pm
• Tech Week October 11 through October 15, 2026
• Performances: October 16, 17, 22, 23, & 24 at 7:30 PM, and 18 & 25 at 2:00 pm.

 CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:  

• DR. LORNA JAMES: (female-presenting, 40s-50s) Psychiatrist leading the drug trial. Empathetic and warm, but unafraid to lay down the law. Very intelligent, but her depressive episodes have interfered with her career. Wants what is best for the people in the trial, not the company.
• DR. TOBY SEALEY: (male-presenting, 40s-50s) Dr. James’ supervisor. Works for a pharmaceutical company. Is passionate about science, but more interested in the possible financial and professional gains. Has a soft spot for Dr. James.
• CONNIE HALL: (female-presenting, 20s-early 30s) Post-grad student studying psychology and social science. Has depressive tendencies. Is dating an older man outside of the trial, but is unsure if she is truly happy in her life. Only female participant in the trial. ○ Connie has several intimate scenes involving kissing, touching, and simulated sex with the actor playing Tristan. A licensed intimacy coordinator will guide all intimacy in the show.
• TRISTEN FREY: (male-presenting, 20s-early 30s) Lives in the moment and wears his heart on his sleeve. Has done multiple drug trials in the past and knows how to get around the rules. Is immediately taken with Connie. ○ Tristan has several intimate scenes involving kissing, touching, and simulated sex with the actor playing Connie. A licensed intimacy coordinator will guide all intimacy in the show.

Performances:

October 16, 2026 through October 25, 2026

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)  

WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY (WCLOC), Grandview Ave. Playhouse, 21 Grandview Avenue, Worcester, MA.

TICKETS: 

For tickets or more information call WCLOC at # 508-753-4383 or visit www.wcloc.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

ABOUT THE STORY

Lucy Prebble's "THE EFFECT" is a clinical romance. 

Two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie, agree to take part in a drug trial. 

Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love, however, Tristan and Connie manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. 

This funny, moving and perhaps surprisingly human play explores questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine, alongside ideas of fate, loyalty and the inevitability of physical attraction. (Concord Theatricals)

For tickets or more information call WCLOC at # 508-753-4383 or visit www.wcloc.org

BUY TICKETS

ABOUT WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY (WCLOC)

Founded in 1937, WCLOC is Worcester’s oldest active theater company. As a local, non-profit community theater, we depend on the generosity of our members, patrons, subscribers, and donors to help forward the mission of our organization to entertain, inform, and nurture local artists and audiences through the production of high quality, affordable musicals, plays, and children’s educational workshops. A donation to WCLOC allows us to continue to keep tickets affordable for local audiences, helps us maintain and make necessary improvements to our Clubhouse, and supports a full season of memorable theater and educational opportunities.

WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY

P.O. Box # 51

Worcester, MA. 01613

# 508-753-4383

www.wcloc.org