How would you like to get away with murder?

Auditions for Gary Puckett’s recent play, “Getting Away With Murder,” are being held at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 and 14 at the Aurora Riverfront Playhouse .

Jack Schultz, coordinator for public affairs and publicity at the Riverfront Playhouse, believes the playhouse is a wonderful opportunity for aspiring actors because it can lead to a continuing position as one of the playhouse’s repertory actors.

Also, the Riverfront Playhouse is a good opportunity for aspiring screenplay writers, as the playhouse performs original works, he said.

“The playhouse is open year-round, and 47 weekends out of the year we have plays going on,” he said. “And for those five other odd weekends we put in a showcase.”

Schultz also said many playhouses drag out play rehearsals into weeks or months, but not the Riverfront Playhouse.

The playhouse averages a two to three-week rehearsal time, and this helps the actors develop and process their character as they see the play develop, he said.

Sherry Winchester-Schultz, treasurer of the Riverfront Playhouse, explained that in this particular play all the actors remain on stage for the duration of the play. This, she said, will help to develop the actors’ stage presence. Even if the actor does not have a speaking role, equal stage time is given.

“Getting Away With Murder” is the third play Gary Puckett has written, although he has directed numerous other plays at the Riverfront Playhouse.

Puckett’s play is an adaptation of Ayn Rand’s play entitled “Night of January Sixteenth” and has a courtroom setting. This allows for parts that vary greatly in script size, thus beginners need not be intimidated.

“Parts will range from the defense attorney and people who will testify to parts that may be silent, such as the bailiff and deputies,” Schultz said.

The playhouse is contemplating certain ways to fulfill the courtroom atmosphere of the play. Some ideas mentioned by Schultz were having metal detectors at the entrance to the playhouse for the audience or maybe some frisking by courtroom deputies.

The playhouse itself is as novel as this play’s incorporation of the audience into its aura. “The Riverfront Playhouse is unique in that it seats only 85, making it very intimate,” Winchester-Schultz said.

“When on stage one can feel what the audience is feeling, and one can see the audience’s expressions. This is gratifying for both the actors and the audience.”

“Getting Away With Murder” auditions are open to inexperienced just as much as experienced actors.

Opening night for the play is scheduled for Jan. 14 and tickets range from $10 for adults to $8 for students, children and senior citizens.