The Minutes
by Tracy Letts
Directed by Dave Wright
In this scathing new comedy-drama, a town’s proud history, the legend of a local hero, and the coveted privilege of reserved parking become battle grounds in small-town politics and real-world power. Nothing is sacred during this town council meeting. This razor-sharp comedy turns from hilarious to chilling as petty policy matters give way to the truth roiling just beneath the surface of this town’s dubious history. The Minutes is both a political comedy and a wicked, methodically plotted horror show, that will keep you riveted to the very end.
Providence Players of Fairfax is:
- A non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer basis. No members of the cast or crew are compensated.
- A membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, all actors (and in fact, all volunteers), are required to become members of Providence Players of Fairfax. Member dues are $25.00 per individual or $60.00 per family (3 or more), and new members must join before or during the first rehearsal. Dues can be paid online or paid with cash or check to the producer. If dues are not paid by or during the first rehearsal, the actor or actress may be asked to leave the rehearsal until dues are paid.
Casting Announcement
Providence Players is casting 11 roles (3 Female and 8 Male). No roles are precast, and all roles are open. All backgrounds and ethnicities are welcome and encouraged to audition!
Download both documents: Audition Announcement and Audition Form (in word and pdf).
Audition Location
James Lee Community Center Theater
2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22046
Audition Dates:
Tuesday, April 16, 7 -9 pm
Wednesday, April 17, 7-9 pm
Callbacks if required: Saturday, April 20, 1 – 4 pm
PLEASE RSVP to info@providenceplayers.org with the date you plan to attend.
Actors who audition one night may be asked to come back a second night, if available. You are not required to be available multiple evenings to be considered.
The Director reserves the right to extend the audition period pending initial audition response. Callbacks are scheduled but may not be necessary.
Performance Dates and Times (at the James Lee Community Center)
Preview: Thursday, June 6
Evening Performances: Thurs. Fri. Sat.; June 7 – 22 at 7:30 pm
Matinees: Sundays, June 9 & 16 at 2:00 pm
About the Play
Time: The Present
Setting: A city council meeting room
Characters
- PEEL (30’s-40’s) – Pediatric dentist & new council member. Recently moved to town
- MAYOR SUBERBA (50’s-60’s) – Slick (but not too slimy) Mayor of Big Cherry
- JOHNSON (20’s-30’s) – Carefully quiet council clerk, a bit harried
- BLAKE (30’s-50’s African American man) – Goes with the flow, enjoys a good Happy Hour
- BREEDING (40’s-50’s) – The most non-PC council member. Smarmy & crude
- HANRATTY (30’s-50’s) – Likes to fight to get his way.
- ASSALONE (40’s-50’s) – Unscrupulous, with an unfortunate name that is usually mispronounced.
- INNES (60’s-70’s) – Self-involved council member, singularly focused
- MATZ (40’s-50’s) – Ditzy, lives in her own head
- OLDFIELD (60’s-70’s) – Long-serving (and frequently befuddled) council member
- CARP (40’s-50’s) – Missing council member
Additional Audition Information/Instructions:
- HOW WE WORK: Most Providence auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. As space allows, you will be able to watch the auditions. Actors may be asked to “work” on a scene with a scene partner during the audition. Actors may be asked to read for multiple roles. If an actor is only interested in one specific role, the director should be reminded during auditions. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to all levels of actors regardless of experience. Providence Players works hard to make the audition experience a fun and relaxed experience.
- AUDITION PROCESS & SIDES: Auditions will consist of readings from the script. No monologue required. Sides for the audition process will be supplied at auditions.
- AUDITION FORM: Please TRY TO COMPLETE, in a separate attachment, the Providence Audition Form and bring it with you to the audition.
- Please come to auditions prepared to list any conflicts with rehearsal or the performance schedule. Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.
- Resumes and headshots will be accepted but are not required. We may ask to take a picture of you, but this is for internal use only and will not be shared.
From the Director: Dave Wright
- First read-thru will be Monday, April 22nd.
- Rehearsals will begin Saturday, April 27th
- Initially the entire cast may not be called for every rehearsal. Rehearsals will take place on weekday evenings and Saturday in the late morning/early afternoon (times TBD).
- Unless indicated otherwise, all rehearsals will be at the James Lee Community Center.
- Set build weekend is May 4th & 5th, and all cast members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend.
- Tech weekend is scheduled for June 1st & 2nd.
- Set strike is June 23rd, and all cast members are expected to participate.
About the Director: Dave Wright
Dave has been involved in theater throughout the DMV for over 30 years. While most of his experience has been onstage, he has also directed several main stage plays. In addition, Dave was:
- Regional Director for Murder Mystery Players from 1999-2010, directing over 50 productions
- Owner of Market Street Productions, which operated the historic Tally Ho theatre in Leesburg, VA from 2008-2012
- Creator/Moderator of professional improv troupe Last Ham Standing, since 2003
Most recently Dave was seen onstage as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple at Aldersgate and was also part of the WATCH Award winning ensemble of Don’t Dress for Dinner at PPF last June. The Minutes has comedy, satire, politics, mystery and horror all wrapped up into 90 minutes, and Dave is looking forward to the challenge of combining those elements in a collaborative process with some talented people!
