This production will take place on the Main Stage
Performances will be April 11-14
There is no need to prepare a song or a monologue, although it may be helpful to be familiar with this play. You may be asked to interact with others at the auditions.
If you are not already familiar with this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, I am including a link to a version of the script you can read online and also a YouTube video of a 1988 production at Lincoln Center in New York.
There are parts available for people of all ages:
Stage Manager - The host and narrator of the play, this character (who can be male or female) controls and explains the action on the stage. This character has several very long monologues, so the actor cast in this role must be very good at memorizing lines.
Dr. Gibbs (male, age 40-60) - The town doctor and a Civil War expert, he is the father of one of the two families around which the story is built.
Mrs. Gibbs (female, age 40-60) - Dr. Gibbs's wife, the mother of George and Rebecca, who struggles with an unfulfilled desire to see more of the world. She also sings in her church choir.
Mr. Webb (male, age 40-60) - The editor of the town newspaper who is the father of the other family around which the story is built.
Mrs. Webb (female, age 35-50) - Mr. Webb's wife, the mother of Emily and Wally and a member of the choir at her church.
George Gibbs (male, age 16-30) - The son of Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs. He is popular and athletic, though not especially intellectual, and he eventually marries Emily Webb.
Emily Webb (female, age 15-30) - The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Webb. She is brilliant, popular, and forthright, and she eventually marries George Gibbs. This character is the focus of the play and demands an actress who can convey deep emotions.
Rebecca Gibbs (female, age 12-25) - The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs and George's younger sister. This is a smaller role, but includes an important scene with George in Act I.
Wally Webb (male, age 10-20) - The son of Mr. and Mrs. Webb and Emily's younger brother. This is a smaller role.
Mrs. Soames (female, age 50-??) - A member of the Congregational Church choir, she is gossipy and emotional and has a significant impact on Acts II and III.
Simon Stimson (male, age 40-??) - The organist and choir director at the Congregational Church, he is an alcoholic and a man deeply unhappy with life in a small town.
Howie Newsome (male, age 25-??) - The town's friendly milkman, who appears in each of the play's three acts.
Constable Warren (male, age 30-??) - The town's policeman, who has a few lines in each of the play's three acts.
Joe Crowell, Jr. (male, age 12-20) - Delivers the town's newspapers in Act I and Act III. This is a small part, with few lines.
Si Crowell (male, age 12-20) - Joe's younger brother who deliver's the town's newspapers in Act II. This is a small part, with few lines.
Sam Craig (male or female, age 25-40) - Emily Webb's cousin who has left Grover's Corners, but returns for the events in Act III. This character only appears in Act III, but engages in an important conversation with Joe Stoddard.
Joe Stoddard (male, age 30-??) - The town's undertaker. Only appearing in Act III, his few lines are crucial to bringing home the play's themes.
We will also be casting up to a half-dozen unnamed townspeople, some of whom will have a few simple lines.
I plan to begin rehearsals on January 7 and to rehearse each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between the first read-through and April 4th. Performances are currently planned for April 12-14, but we may add a weekend. Please come to the audition prepared to let us know what dates from January to April you would not be available for rehearsal.
I cannot say how excited I am to be directing this production and I look forward to seeing you at auditions in a couple of weeks!
Sincerely,
Dave Roland