Auditions for VPH Summer Show: “These Shining Lives”
Auditions will be held for our summer show, These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich, at the Village Players of Hatboro on the following dates:
- Sunday, June 14th at 7PM
- Monday, June 15th at 7:30PM
This show has room for a large cast and we’ll be looking for people from age 5 to 50. There are lots of great opportunities for first-timers here!
Cold readings from the script will be provided. You may also bring a prepared monologue if you choose, but one is not required.
This summer show is a limited run. Show dates are July 31, August 1, 2, 7, 8. All actors who are cast must be available for all show dates, as well as tech week (Sunday, July 26th through Wednesday, July 29th)
NOTE: Rehearsals will not be on location due to theater construction with the exception of Tech Week
SYNOPSIS
(Comedy/Drama) THESE SHINING LIVES chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, it’s true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
CATHERINE DONOHUE (F) 19-25 – A young wife and mother of two. She works at the Radium Dial Factory. While she is quiet, sensitive and reflective at times, she is by no means weak. She is full of life and passion for her work, her friends, and her husband.
CHARLOTTE (F) 24-29 – A worker at the factory. She is outspoken and hard-boiled. She is competitive and has a biting sense of humor. Underneath this front, however, she is just as kind hearted as her friends.
FRANCES (F) 24-50 – A worker at the factory. She is the ‘moral backbone’ of the group, but is more flexible than she lets on. She acts as a mediator during the beginning of the show between Charlotte and Catherine.
PEARL (F) 24-50 – A worker alongside Catherine at the factory. Sweet and supportive she is the “joker of the group.” But Pearl has a hard time coming to terms with her developing illness.
SLIDEMAN (M/F) – Slideman is the overseer of Catherine’s world. He/she manipulates and narrates parts of the story. Partially the narrator and partially an outside observer, the slideman is a personification of time. May be combined with another role.
TOM DONOHUE (M) 21-25 – The husband of Catherine Donohue, a riveter on the skyscrapers of Chicago. He loves Catherine and is extremely devoted to her, but is somewhat unsettled when his wife starts making more money than he does.
MR. REED (M) 25-50 – The overseer of the factory. His heart is usually with the girls, but when put under pressure he is a pawn of the Radium Dial factory and has to follow orders.
DR. ROWNTREE (M) Any age – He extols the benefits of radium to cure common illnesses. May be combined with another role.
LEONARD GROSSMAN (M) Any age – A brash lawyer who has enough courage to take the girls’ case. He is disturbed by the company’s treatment of Catherine and her friends.
COMPANY DOCTOR (M) 30-50 – Much like Mr. Reed, the Company doctor is a pawn of the Radium Dial Company. He denies that the girl’s illnesses are related to their working conditions and the radium they are exposed to. May be combined with another role.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (M/F) Any age – Much like Dr. Rowntree, the radio announcer makes a performance out of selling radium to the public. Boasting of its benefits and popularity, he sells the product along with a trio of radio station singers. May be combined with another role.
DAUGHTER (F) 5 – Catherine’s young daughter. She is not childish, only innocent. She establishes the disconnect that has developed in Catherine’s life. May be combined with another role.
SON (M) 5 – Catherine’s son. He is not childish, only innocent. Only appearing once with his sister, he establishes the disconnect that has developed in Catherine’s life. May be combined with another role.
DR. DALITSCH (M) 30-50 – An incredibly honest doctor. The girls go to him and receive their separate, gruesome diagnoses. He reappears in the trial scene to confirm their conditions before the jury. May be combined with another role.
JUDGE (M/F) Any age – Appears in the courtroom scene of Catherine’s trial versus the radium dial company. Will be combined with another role.
REPORTERS 1 & 2 (M/F) Any age – Speaks outside of the courthouse during Catherine’s lawsuit. They provide the opinion of the public. May be combined with other roles.
CREW MEMBERS & NEWBIES
Audition nights are a perfect time to come out, meet the director, and express your interest in helping out backstage, be it in the role of a stage manager, lights & sound operator, concessions, or whatever else you might like to do.
They’re also GREAT for first-timers to come out and observe how things are done, maybe express interest in being a helper, or read for a part! We almost always cast at least one person who’s never been on stage before. You never know what can happen!
Questions? Please contact Director Keith Maliszewski at kmaliszewski88@gmail.com.
