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Auditions: Tuesday, June 25& Thursday, June 27
Sign-ups begin at 7:15 pm
Auditions: 7:30 pm
Well
a comedy by Lisa Kron
Directed by Matthew G. Moross
Performance Dates: September 20 - 22 & 25 - 29, 2024
SYNOPSIS
WELL is a funny and touching comedy from playwright Lisa Kron who gave us the Tony-award winning musical FUN HOME.
"This play is not about my mother and me," begins the character of Lisa. But of course, it is. It’s about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a changing community. Kron asks the provocative question: "Do we create our own illness?" The answers are much more complicated than they bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.
"This glorious and funny new play opens doors of insight and emotion that no other play in New York is opening. I fell in love with WELL." -- Ben Brantley, The New York Times
AVAILABLE ROLES
The Schenectady Civic Players is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive community: on our stage, through our creative and technical teams, and in our audiences. Below are brief descriptions of the characters as they are depicted in the script. Actors of all ages, genders, races, and/or ethnic backgrounds are welcome to audition for any role that they are interested in portraying.
Lisa Kron - 20’s – 40’s, Narrator of the story, Jewish, New York performance artist who is writing a play that is definitely NOT about her mother and herself.
Ann Kron - 50’s – 70’s, Lisa's mother, Jewish Midwestern housewife and community organizer; lethargic and in pain, yet surprisingly vibrant. Warm and funny.
Company of Actors (below): As the “intended play” unravels and their “rehearsed” scenes are interrupted, we see that these “real people” have to grapple with the unexpected events onstage. As the play continues, we see their standard actor show-must-go-on ethic erode as they (like the audience) start to find Ann a more compelling source of information, entertainment and warm human connection. The company of actors are challenged with playing multiple characters and are key to helping to shape the many layers of this story as it unfolds before the audience. Those auditioning to be a member of the company should be very comfortable moving at a quick pace.
Actor A: Joy/Dottie/Themselves - plays multiple characters in Lisa’s play: Joy, Lisa’s roommate at the allergy hospital; Dottie, one of Ann’s friends and coworkers; and as themselves as an actor who is deeply moved by Ann’s kindness; depicted in the script as a White, female-identifying actor.
Actor B: Lori Jones/Kay/Mrs. Price/Cynthia/Themselves – plays multiple characters in Lisa’s play: Lori Jones, a school girl bully; Kay, a middle-aged woman in an allergy hospital who wants her sister to understand her illness; Cynthia, Lisa's neighbor; and themselves as an actor in the play; depicted as a Black, female-identifying actor in the script.
Actor C: Jim Richardson/Nurse 2/Little Oscar/Big Oscar/Themselves - plays multiple characters in Lisa’s play: Little Oscar, one of Lisa’s school friends; Big Oscar, Oscar’s father; Jim Richardson, a neighbor working with Ann to integrate the neighborhood; and as themselves as an actor; depicted as a Black, male-identifying actor in the script.
Actor D: Howard Norris/Head Nurse/Themselves – plays multiple characters in Lisa’s play: Howard Norris, a neighbor working with Ann to integrate the neighborhood; the Head Nurse of the allergy hospital; and themselves as an actor; depicted as a White, male-identifying actor in the script.
How to Prepare:
Readings will be from the script. A digital copy of the script and the audition sides are available in advance at : PLAYHOUSE LINK HERE You will be asked to fill out a contact form and declare your rehearsal availability, so bring your calendar.
CREW POSITIONS:
There are always opportunities to be involved backstage at The Playhouse. We are looking for those with interest and/or experience with stage management, costumes, properties, lighting, sound and painting.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, (times to be determined) beginning the week of July 1.
***Actors are only called to rehearsals in which their role will participate. Additional weekend rehearsal times will be added as opening approaches. Those auditioning must be available for a majority of the rehearsals and must declare rehearsal conflicts before being cast.
Below is the link to audition sides and character descriptions.
https://www.civicplayers.org/well
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Schenectady Civic Players, 12 S Church St,Schenectady,NY,United States
