Shoreline Playwrights, in collaboration with DramaWorks Theatre, is holding auditions for a new Christmas play, Miss Margaret’s Barton Cottage Christmas Surprise, by local playwright Laura Thoma.

The show includes four roles for young women (18-35), one role for a woman (50-65), and one role for a man (25-35). Auditions will be held Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Deep River. Callbacks will be Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Deep River.

Show dates are Dec. 13 to 21 in Old Saybrook. To book an audition, email laurathomaplaywright@gmail.com to book your slot.

The play takes place eight years after Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Margaret Dashwood returns home to surprise her family for the holidays. When she finds her former love interest, Lavinia, masquerading as the maid, jealousy, betrayal, and wild revelations threaten to upturn her plans for a lovely family holiday. Is Margaret willing to embrace her true feelings to save Christmas?

Thoma, of Guilford, is an emerging playwright who has had her work published internationally and produced locally. With Miss Margaret’s Barton Cottage Christmas Surprise, she hopes to help diversify the theatrical offerings available during the holidays. Drama Works Theatre was founded by artistic director Ed Wilhelms in the fall of 2019 as a small, intimate, off-Broadway type of space. More information is available at laurathomaplaywright.com or www.dramaworkstheatre.org.