Audition Announcement: Providence Players “To Kill a Mockingbird” – 18+ Roles – All Open

The Providence Players will hold auditions for their upcoming production of Christopher Sergel’s play To Kill a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, on Mon, Nov 7th, Wed, Nov. 9th & Thurs, Nov 10th  from 7:00 – 9:30 pm the James Lee Community Center at 2855 Annandale Rd Falls Church.  Call Backs (if needed) Mon Nov 14th 7:00 – 9:30 pm. The production will be directed by Beth Gilles-Whitehead. There are 18 Speaking roles – 9 men, 2 boys, 6 women, 1 girl, as well as 3-4 gospel singers and extras in the crowd of the trial. All roles are open. Please RSVP your intentions to audition to the email below.

Download and print the PPF-To Kill a Mockingbird – Complete Audition Package Here
(Character list, Audition form, Instructions and Production Calendar)

To Kill a Mockingbird

By Christopher Sergel

Based upon the novel by Harper Lee
Directed by Beth Gilles-Whitehead

mockingbird-auditions-lightened-backgroundBased on the Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork and one of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird is a gripping and heart-wrenching tale of coming-of-age in the South. Set in a town poisoned by prejudice, the play portrays a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, Scout, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

 

18 Speaking roles. (9 men 2 boys, 6 women 1 girl, 3-4 gospel singers and extras in the crowd of the trial)

  • The Providence Players of Fairfax is a non-profit community theater troupe. All participation is on a volunteer, non-compensated basis.
  • The Providence Players of Fairfax is a membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, actors in addition to production team members will be asked to become members of the Providence Players ($10) for the season (if they are not already).

Performance Dates and Times

Preview: March 23rd, 2017 7:00pm Curtain

Evening Performances: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 7:30 pm Curtain
March 24 – April 8, 2017
Matinees: Sundays; 2:00 pm curtain
March 26 & April 2, 2017

Audition Dates

Mon Nov 7, 7:00 – 9:30 pm (James Lee Community Center – Look for Audition Signs)
Wed Nov 9, 7:00 – 9:30 pm (James Lee Community Center – Look for Audition Signs)
Thurs Nov 10, 7:00 – 9:30 pm (James Lee Community Center – Look for Audition Signs)

Call-Backs (if needed – by invitation):
Mon Nov 14, 6:45 – 9:45 pm (James Lee Community Center – Look for Audition Signs)

Location

The James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Auditions Signs will be posted – Inquire at Main Desk

Audition Information/Instructions

  • PLEASE RSVP to Director Beth Whitehead at thewhiteheads@cox.net with the date(s) you plan on auditioning.
  • HOW WE WORK: You are welcome to come to auditions on more than one of the initial audition evenings. This is not a requirement. Most PPF auditions have actors up and down to read multiple times in multiple combinations and scenes. Most actors find this fun. As space allows, you will be able to watch all the auditions. You may be asked to go into the hallway with audition partners and work a bit on a scene. We will do our best to get you up multiple times reading for parts you are interested in. You will also be asked to read for other parts you may not be auditioning for. The Providence Players strives to make our productions open to interested and engaged actors & actresses, regardless of their level of experience. We try and make our auditions as relaxing and fun as possible.
  • AUDITION PROCESS: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script – No monologue required.
  • AUDITION SIDES: Sides for the audition process will be supplied at auditions.
  • AUDITION FORM: Resumes and head shots will be accepted, but are not required. Please ALSO COMPLETE the attached PPF To Kill a Mockingbird Audition Form and bring it with you to the audition.
  • MEMBERSHIP: The Providence Players of Fairfax is a membership organization. Membership is not required to audition. If cast, actors in addition to production team members will be asked to become members of the Providence Players ($10) for the season (if they are not already).
  • RSVP: Please send us an RSVP if you plan to audition to Director Beth Whitehead at thewhiteheads@cox.net

Rehearsal Schedule:

A copy of the preliminary production schedule is included with this announcement and will be available online and at auditions. Stage rehearsals begin February 21, 2017. In addition to the stage rehearsal schedule, additional full cast readings of the play and selected scene study and character work will be scheduled by the director after casting.

Please come to auditions prepared to list any availability conflicts over this time period. Space is provided on the audition form for this purpose.

Director’s Take On the Play:

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place during a hungry hurting time in America. It is 1935 in Maycomb, Alabama. Most people know the story of Tom Robinson and his trial for a crime he did not commit. The heroic efforts of Atticus Finch to defend Tom in a town that mostly see just black and white and the divide between them. The deep seeded prejudice, hatred and mistrust as well as the desperate folks just trying to survive. Family, hope, truth and compassion is everything. This is a love story of Scout, her dad, her brother and her search for her place in the world. It is a story that reminds us of how important integrity is in each one of our lives and how we all can try and be more like Atticus Finch. Our production will reflect the difficult times the people live in, the circumstances that affect their decisions and the love that is trying to push its way to the top of hatred, bigotry and lies. It’s a love story!

Characters/Roles:

The Director is casting in November so all can learn their lines before rehearsals begins.

Young People

Jean Louise Finch (Scout) girl age 7-11 (Very verbal, strong willed and curious) Has a lot of lines. Must have stage presence and lots of confidence.
Jeremy Finch (Jem) her older brother age 9-13 (Loves football and is a reader, adventurous)
Charles Baker Harris (Dill) boy age 7-11, little for his age (Very creative and engaging and lots of energy)
Mayella Ewell 19 year old girl. Strong gal who’s been abused, beaten and lives in poverty. Has no friends and is probably always hungry and lonely.

Mens Roles

Atticus Finch age 45-60. Dad, lawyer, man of high integrity, very humble and full of patience.
Arthur Radley (Boo) age 40 plus. Smaller role, may double with Mr. Gilmer. Quite, caring man
Sheriff Heck Tate could be 35-65. Good honest man doing his job.
Judge Taylor 55-75. Honest judge, friend to the truth
Reverend Sykes any age, African American spiritual leader.
Bob Ewell age 40-55. Dirty, mean and as unloving as a man can be. Full of anger, resentment and spite.
Walter Cunningham a farmer age 40-55. Honest farmer trying to make his way, turned by opinion easily.
Mr. Gilmer age 30-45. New lawyer trying his case and wants to win.
Tom Robinson African American age 25-40. Honest father and hard worker caught in a terrible lie and trying to survive.

Women’s Roles

Calpurnia African American house keeper and family friend to the Finches age 35-65. Hard worker, caring, motherly and takes no guff from anyone.
Maudie Atkinson 40-65. Kind, loving neighbor who answers questions and has been a mother role to the Finch children. Loves gardening and finding the good in people.
Stephanie Crawford age ? gossipy neighbor who lives for a story to repeat and embellish and repeat. Loves to hear her own voice.
Mrs. Dubose very cranky and very old. Sick old woman who takes her misery out on the neighbors and young people.
Harper Lee age 30-50

Gospel Singers

3 or 4 Gospel singers, African American women and/or men.