“In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)”
The department is seeking four women and three men to star in its production of “In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play).” Written by Sarah Ruhl, “In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) was nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play and was selected as a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. “Hovering at the dawn of electricity,” Dr Givings, a scientist, happily embraces his invention with which he can cure his patients’ (primarily female) “hysteria.” His wife, Mrs. Givings, a new mother, is consistently pulled toward the sounds emanating from the next room. With the innocent aid given her by the other characters — a distraught female patient and her upright husband, a midwife assistant, an African-American wet nurse and a male artist — Mrs. Givings pursues the light that can infuse her marriage with loving intimacy and open the heavens to delight here on earth. Ruhl enlightens the audience with her tender, sometimes hilarious contemporary take on a comedy of manners set in the Victorian era.
The play is directed by Bryna Wortman, with sets by Cheryl deWardener, costumes by Marilyn Salvatore, lighting by Jen Rock, sound by Michael Hyde and props by Jon Paul Rainville. The stage manager is Sydney Rosenberg and dramaturgy is by Christine Dickinson.
CAST
Dr. Givings, A man in his 40s, a specialist in gynecological and hysterical disorders. A rational thinker.
Catherine Givings, His wife, a woman in her late 20s. Curious. Emotional.
Sabrina Daldry, His patient, a woman in her early 30s. Initially fragile and distressed. Capable of pleasure, and a woman of her times.
Annie, A woman in her late 30s, Dr. Givings midwife assistant, a woman capable of deep feelings.
Leo Irving, Dr. Givings’ other patient, an artist and an Englishman. In his 20s or 30s, capable of deep feelings even out of the box.
Elizabeth, An African-American woman in her early thirties, married with children, a wet nurse by default. Deep feelings and knowledge of life experience.
Mr. Daldry, Sabrina Daldry’s husband. Solicitous and upright, a man of his times.
Auditions will require a monologue, 1 to 2 minutes in length, demonstrating handling of language and revealing both inner and outer life (through posture and physicalization). Selections should be from Victorian era or from 20th or 21st Century dramatic literature. No slang or foul language. Be prepared to read sides at auditions and definitely at callbacks. Please read the entire play before auditions – scripts can be found in the Theatre Office.
Auditions for juniors and seniors will be held in G Studio of the Fine Arts Center on Sept. 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. All others will audition Sept. 9, from 6 to 10 p.m., also in G Studio. Call backs will be held Sept. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the same location.
REHEARSALS
Tuesday-Friday evenings, usually 6-10- p.m., sometimes 7-11 p.m. Usually Saturday and Sunday,
1-5 p.m., sometimes Sunday, 6-10 p.m., particularly for understudies.
Full Rehearsals
Start Saturday, Sep 12, 12:30 p.m. for paperwork, then 1-5 p.m. Designer presentations and
read through with discussion with director and cast.
Performances
Thursday-Saturday, Oct 15-17, Oct 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Oct 18 & 25 at 3 p.m.
“The Caucasian Chalk Circle”
The department is seeking 10 or more actors to star in Bertolt Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle” a version by Frank McGuinness. This morality play is directed by Vince Petronio and is set in a stylized world that could exist in any time or place. The story follows a young woman and her travels in rearing an abandoned boy. By the end of the play the boy’s biological mother wants the boy back. The question remains how do you define ‘family’? How do we take care of each other and the world? What is the ‘law’ or the ‘spirit of the law’?
CAST
Singer, M/F, Narrator (no actual singing required)
Grusha, F, Young woman with child ‘Michael’
Simon, M, Grusha’s love interest. A soldier
Azdak, M/F, Becomes the ‘Judge’.
Natella/Aniko, F, Governor’s wife and Grusha’s sister-in-law.
Fat Prince/Lavrenti, M, Usurps the governor and Grusha’s brother
Governor/Jessup, M, Governor and Grusha’s husband.
Monk/Shalva, M/F, Drunk monk performs Grusha’s wedding and the adjutant
Nanny/Ludovica, F, Michael’s nanny and beautiful peasant woman
Ensemble, M/F
REQUIRED:
Auditions will require the performance of a monologue 1 to 2 minutes in length. Selections must be contemporary and either comedic or dramatic. Please select a monologue that you think best showcases your abilities. Be prepared to read sides at audition, definitely at callbacks. The ability to play musical instruments, dance experience, singing experience are all pluses. Performers may be asked to sing and audition movement skills at callbacks. Please read the entire play before auditions – scripts can be found in the Theatre Office.
Auditions for juniors and seniors will be held in J Studio of the Fine Arts Center on Sept. 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. All others will audition Sept. 9, from 6 to 10 p.m., also in J Studio. Call backs will be held Sept. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the same location.
Rehearsals will run Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning Oct. 27, from 6 to 10 p.m., sometimes 7 to 11 p.m. There will also be some Saturday and Sunday rehearsals, from 1 to 5 p.m. and possibly some Sunday evenings. Performances begin Dec. 3.