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AUDITION NOTICETHE CHILDREN’S HOUR
Written by Lillian Hellman
Directed by Shelbe McClain
AUDITION DATES, TIMES, LOCATION
Saturday, April 5th 12:00 - 3:00p.m. - The Playhouse, 2756 Mosasco Street, Bakersfield, CA 93312
Sunday, April 6th 12:00 - 3:00p.m. - The Playhouse, 2756 Mosasco Street, Bakersfield, CA 93312
To make an audition appointment, request additional information, or if unable to attend in-person auditions, please email the director at [email protected]
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
If needed, CALLBACKS will take place on Sunday April 13th, time TBD.
PERFORMANCE DATES
June 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th at 7:30p.m. and June 22nd and 29th at 2p.m.
REHEARSALS
Start the week of April 21st
Tech week: June 16th – 19th, 2025
Monday-Thursday rehearsals. 6:00pm-9:00pm.
Occasional Friday/Weekend rehearsals may be scheduled based on need and actor availability.
ABOUT THE PLAY
The Children’s Hour is based on true events and tells the story of two women who are accused of homosexual activity by one of their students: one Mary Tilford. The outraged community (prompted by the influential Amelia Tilford, an upstanding member of Lancet--who also happens to be the indulgent grandmother of Mary) quickly withdraws all of their students, causing a witch hunt that ultimately forces the school to close. Their lives quickly unravel as they become social pariahs. At its premiere, Hellman’s The Children’s Hour was a controversial piece that caused the author to be blacklisted from Hollywood. Today, it remains a haunting reminder of the horrors of intolerance. Though traditionally set in the 1930’s, our production will be set in the 1980’s during the height of the AIDS epidemic, when homophobia was rampant in society. This approach will not only honor Hellman’s original work but also provides a poignant, timely commentary on the dire consequences of intolerance and the brutal impact of bigotry and misinformation that is prevalent even in society today.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This show consists of heavy material with depictions of suicide and a gunshot heard off-stage. If you wish to read the play before auditions to be sure you are comfortable with the material, you may email the director to request a digital copy to peruse: [email protected]
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Please prepare to cold read from the script, slides will be available at your audition appointment. We also ask that you wear comfortable clothing and prepare to move in your audition slot. If interested in the role of Evelyn Munn, prepare to read with a lisp.
Please bring a list of any conflicts you may have during the rehearsal/performance process to include for the production staff.
ROLES TO BE CAST
Martha Dobie (Female, Lead) – Matha is part owner of the Wright-Dobie School, an all-girls boarding school. She, along with teaching partner Karen Wright, has worked very hard to build their school’s reputation. She is the more “emotional” one of the two friends, and the accusations of Mary Tilford may help her reach clarity but end in devastation.
Karen Wright (Female, Lead) - Karen Wright is part owner of the Wright-Dobie School, an all-girls boarding school. She, along with teaching partner Martha Dobie, has worked very hard to build their school’s reputation, and is devastated by the witch-hunt following Mary’s accusations. Karen seems more emotionally stable than Martha and usually functions as the calmer person in the relationship. Karen is engaged to Joe Cardin. She is resilient in a way that Martha is not.
Mary Tilford (Female, Lead) – Mary Tilford is always up to no good, causing trouble for her teachers, and a compulsive liar to get out of trouble. She has one side she shows to the adults in her life and a whole other side that she only shows to her classmates. Mary knows just how to play her cards right with her grandmother to get her way, even if that means blackmailing her classmates and starting a rumor about her teachers.
Lily Mortar (Female, Lead) – The eccentric aunt of Martha Dobie. Mrs. Mortar also lives on the school grounds and helps assist Martha and Karen in their teachings, however it is clear Mrs. Mortar has little to no control over her classroom and cares only of someday returning to the stage.
Joseph Cardin (Male, Lead) - Joe Cardin, a local doctor who also happens to be related to Mary Tilford. Joe is engaged to Karen Wright.
Amelia Tilford (Female, Lead) – The grandmother of Mary Tilford. Amelia is easily persuaded by Mary and undoubtedly will give Mary anything she wants.
Agatha (Female, Supporting) – Agatha is a no-nonsense maid employed by Amelia Tilford. Unlike Amelia, she sees right through Mary’s fake tears and complaints and has no problem letting her know it.
The Other Children at the school (Female, Supporting)
Rosalie Wells, Peggy Rogers, Evelyn Munn, Lois Fisher, Helen Burton, and Catherine. (One student will double as the Grocery Boy)
The Playhouse organization values diversity and inclusion in all activities. We believe that engaging in the arts is essential to the human experience and that live theatrical arts should be available to all. Performers of all ages, ethnicities, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, and disabilities are encouraged to audition.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2756 Mosasco St, Bakersfield, CA, United States
