From Barbara W. Simpson
Cultural Arts and Special Events
Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre is pleased to announce its production of Little Women opening February 13, 2020 and running through March 1. This play, which will be directed by Patrick McDonald, is adapted by Scott Davidson from Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Services, Inc.
Auditions will be held at the Prattville Cultural Arts Building at 203 West 4th Street on Sunday, October 20, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday, October 21, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., with callbacks Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Director McDonald will be looking for actors as follows:
7 – 8 females to play teenage roles (approximately 12 – 25 years of age)
4 – 5 females to play adult roles (approximately 30 – 70+ years of age)
2 males to play older teenage/young adult roles (approximately 16 – 25 years of age)
1 male to play adult role (approximately 40 – 60 years of age)
Actors will be asked to do cold-readings from scripts which will be provided. Actors should be prepared to read dramatically, perhaps as someone who is older or younger than their true age, and to demonstrate minor additional talents, such as playing piano and whistling, but proficiency is not required for these additional talents. Based on the cherished novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is the story of the March family at the time of the American Civil War. This stage adaptation by Scott Davidson encompasses five years in the lives of this family, particularly the four daughters, as they journey from childhood to adulthood. Like all such journeys, there are family and companions, festivities and trials, warmth and rivalry, learning and uncertainty, serendipity and loss. This timeless message will teach us all to cherish the journey even when we aren’t sure of the destination.
Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Production of Little Women
Audition Location: Prattville Cultural Arts building, 203 West 4th Street – 1st floor
General Role Information (ages are the age of the characters, not the actors):
7 – 8 females to play teenage roles (~12 – 25 years of age)
4 – 5 females to play adult roles (~30 – 70+ years of age)
2 males to play older teenage/ young adult roles (~16 – 25 years of age)
1 male to play adult role (~40 – 60 years of age)
Audition Instructions: Scripts will be provided for cold-readings at the audition. Please be prepared to read dramatically, i.e. emotion, inflection, and appropriate projection. During the audition, the actor may be asked to read in several different ways, including playing someone who is older or younger than their true age.
Some characters have minor additional talents, such as playing piano and whistling, but proficiency is not required for these additional talents.
Play Description: Based on the cherished novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is the story of the March family at the time of the American Civil War. This stage adaptation by Scott Davidson encompasses five years in the lives of this family, particularly the four daughters, as they journey from childhood to adulthood.
Like all such journeys, there are family and companions, festivities and trials, warmth and rivalry, learning and uncertainty, serendipity and loss. This timeless message will teach us all to cherish the journey even when we aren’t sure of the destination.
Planned Performance Dates:
February 13 – March 1, 2020
Rehearsal Schedule: Will be provided at auditions.
CAST: Josephine March – Female – The second-oldest daughter and narrator of the play. This story is presented from her point of view. She is a “tomboy” of the Victorian period, assertive and direct, who takes enjoyment in being unpredictable. She thinks she has everyone figured out, but has difficulty determining her own motives.
Meg March – Female – Oldest daughter. She has a tremendous sense of duty, but often ends up coming off bossy.
Beth March – Female – The third daughter, Beth is kindness personified. She would help someone else regardless of the personal cost.
Amy March – Female – The youngest daughter, Amy is selfish and a bit spoiled. But for all that, she loves her family, and grows tremendously through the course of the play.
Hannah – Female – The March’s maid, Hannah cares for the girls while their father is off at war and their mother works away from home. She can be abrasive, but her care for the March family is never in doubt.
Marmee – Female – The mother of the March girls, Marmee works hard on behalf of others with no complaint but is often overwhelmed with her responsibilities.
Aunt March – Female – The wealthy sister of Mr. March, Aunt March is certain her wealth buys her access to every conversation and the right to impose her will.
Theodore Lawrence – Male – A neighbor of the March girls, Teddy (aka Laurie) is playful to a fault, with a quick laugh and bright outlook. He becomes the brother the March family never had.
John Brooke – Male – Teddy’s tutor, Brooke is not significantly older than Teddy, but tries relentlessly to act as he expects a grown man to act, particularly in the position of responsibility he holds. But he still remembers times not too long ago that he could play as well.
Mr. March – Male – The father of the March family. Before the war, he ran the family with love and discipline, but has been somewhat broken by his time in the war.
Mrs. Gardener, Sallie Gardener, Annie Moffat, Belle Moffat – Females – Friends of the March family, but gossips who judge the liberal ways the March girls are allowed to develop.
