Box Office: 707-937-4477
boxoffice@mendocinotheatre.org
Auditions for “Our Town”
- Taught By: Lorry Lepaule
- For Ages: Middle & High Schoolers
- Sessions: 2 days | 8/21, 3:45-6pm & 8/22, 3:45-5pm
- Callbacks: Tuesday, 8/22, 3:45-5pm (also for those unable to make 8/21 auditions)
Open for all MS and HS students (students who took the Our town classes will be taking part, either as actors, and/or tech.)
PLOT SYNOPSIS
The Our Town is comprised of three acts: the first act shows the daily life of it’s characters, the second act progresses in time and allows us to see love and marriage; and ends in the third act, again after some years have passed, with a graveyard scene. Our Town is not an idealized version of an American life but rather a quiet play about people going about their daily lives in a small New England town called Grover’s Corners. While there is genuine feeling from the characters’ lives and stories, it is never sentimental. The play has the past, present and future intertwined, so at the same time that we see a young newsboy fling his papers to the different houses, we also learn, via the stage manager, that later in his young life, he dies in a war.
A defining characteristic that distinguishes this play from others of the era is Wilder’s insistance on the use of minimal set and props. He writes, “…the cooperative imagination of the audience is stimulated by that… absence of scenery.” We do our own thing every day, work and play, and while it may not necessarily be important to the rest of the world, it is important to us. What we do and how we do it, just as it is to every character in Grover’s Corners.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS There are 22 listed characters in Our Town. It is quite likely that actors will be playing more than one role. For purposes of this audition, however, sides will be available for the following characters:
Stage Manager – literally moving the story along, providing backround and description**
Doc Gibbs Mrs. Gibbs, his wife George Gibbs, their son
Mr. Webb Mrs. Webb, his wife Emily Webb, their daughter
**The stage manager is generally played by a male actor, oftentimes with a pipe. I am more interested in who might “fit” this character, whatever gender that may be.
AUDITION PREPARATION Printed sides available at the theatre office and as a PDF download at the end of audition form by 7/31/2023.
HEADSHOTS AND RESUMES Headshots are appreciated but any clear photo of your likeness is ok.
IN-PERSON AUDITIONS When: Monday, August 21, from 3:45-6 pm Where: Stevenson Studio, on the grounds of the Art Center.
CALLBACKS: Tuesday, August 22 – from 3:45 – 5:00 (also for those who are not able to make the Monday auditions)
SHOW SCHEDULE Wednesday, 10/25 – Sunday, 10/29 – Wed. – Sat. @ 7:30 PM, Sunday – 2:00 PM
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Mondays & Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM Starting Monday 8/27 through Oct. 24th
The Our Town is comprised of three acts: the first act shows the daily life of it’s characters, the second act progresses in time and allows us to see love and marriage; and ends in the third act, again after some years have passed, with a graveyard scene. Our Town is not an idealized version of an American life but rather a quiet play about people going about their daily lives in a small New England town called Grover’s Corners. While there is genuine feeling from the characters’ lives and stories, it is never sentimental. The play has the past, present and future intertwined, so at the same time that we see a young newsboy fling his papers to the different houses, we also learn, via the stage manager, that later in his young life, he dies in a war.
A defining characteristic that distinguishes this play from others of the era is Wilder’s insistance on the use of minimal set and props. He writes, “…the cooperative imagination of the audience is stimulated by that… absence of scenery.” We do our own thing every day, work and play, and while it may not necessarily be important to the rest of the world, it is important to us. What we do and how we do it, just as it is to every character in Grover’s Corners.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS There are 22 listed characters in Our Town. It is quite likely that actors will be playing more than one role. For purposes of this audition, however, sides will be available for the following characters:
Stage Manager – literally moving the story along, providing backround and description**
Doc Gibbs Mrs. Gibbs, his wife George Gibbs, their son
Mr. Webb Mrs. Webb, his wife Emily Webb, their daughter
**The stage manager is generally played by a male actor, oftentimes with a pipe. I am more interested in who might “fit” this character, whatever gender that may be.
AUDITION PREPARATION Printed sides available at the theatre office and as a PDF download at the end of audition form by 7/31/2023.
HEADSHOTS AND RESUMES Headshots are appreciated but any clear photo of your likeness is ok.
IN-PERSON AUDITIONS When: Monday, August 21, from 3:45-6 pm Where: Stevenson Studio, on the grounds of the Art Center.
CALLBACKS: Tuesday, August 22 – from 3:45 – 5:00 (also for those who are not able to make the Monday auditions)
SHOW SCHEDULE Wednesday, 10/25 – Sunday, 10/29 – Wed. – Sat. @ 7:30 PM, Sunday – 2:00 PM
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Mondays & Tuesdays 4:00-6:30 PM Starting Monday 8/27 through Oct. 24th
QUESTIONS: contact Lorry at education@mendocinotheatre.org.
