The Basin Theatre Group Inc.
VDL Awards Entry: 2023
Author: Mark Dunn
Director: LB Bradley
Genre: Comedy
Agent: An Amateur Production By Arrangement with ORiGiNTM Theatrical, on behalf of RIGHTS HOLDER
Synopsis
It’s 1988, a time before mobile phones, texting & cheap long-distance calls.
The Walker sisters’ mother has eaten some bad tuna and been taken to hospital. Again. When oldest sister Peggy calls to inform her five sisters a series of phone calls ensues. Second eldest Aneece is too busy being bitter at their mother to talk to Peggy, Audrey prefers to put Huckle, her ventriloquist dummy, on the phone instead of speaking to her sister and Sherry has changed her name to Dust & is more interested in abstract poetry with her current lover than discussing their mother’s various ailments. Roseanne’s life is falling apart, yet she still seems to come second to her husband’s midlife crisis and youngest sister Paige is having romantic troubles, all of which take precedence over their mother’s latest drama. All in all Peggy doesn’t have much luck gaining sympathy for Mama.
A series of 45 phone calls over one autumn weekend reveals cracks in the foundation of the Walker family. Sisterly bonds are tested, loves are lost and found and old wounds are reopened in this heartfelt comedy about family, trauma and love.
Characters
Characters Summary:
6 Female Roles (mid 20s – early 50s)
Please read 'Other Information' at the bottom of this audition notice as it contains additional requirements for the audition.
Characters Description:
Each of the sisters is emotionally damaged by their childhood and the unhealthy, volatile relationship of their parents.
Peggy – The oldest of the Walker sisters (40s). A childless widow who lives with their elderly mother. The family martyr who spends most of her time informing her sisters of their mother’s latest ailments. Requires an actress who can play long suffering and a bit lonely. Mostly dramatic role with some comedic moments.
Aneece – Closest in age to Peggy, she’s a professional whose longest relationship is with her therapist and the nearest bottle of booze. Bitter, sarcastic and damaged. Requires an actress who can play the dark side with good timing.
Audrey – A ventriloquist who fixates on her dummy to fill an emotional void. This is a star character turn with a vulnerable underbelly. Requires an actress who can attempt ventriloquism (doesn’t have to be done well) without becoming ridiculous.
Sherry “Dust” – A free-spirited, free-loving “deep” thinker. Her name changes with her current love interest. Secretly covers her low self-esteem with perpetual lovers. Requires a strong comic actress with excellent physical flexibility as she spends most of the play on the floor in yoga positions.
Roseanne – Vulnerable, mother of 2 young children in a failing marriage. A pillar of the church community whose preacher husband is having a midlife crisis. Requires an actress who can swing between comedy and drama without effort.
Paige - The youngest of the Walker sisters (20s). Flighty, indecisive, and swinging between two men, neither of whom she’s sure she wants. Requires an actress with good comic timing and the ability to make indecision seem real.
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
2:00pm on:
7:00pm on:
Audition Venue Name: The Basin Theatre
Audition Venue Address:
Corner of Simpson and Doongalla Road The Basin VIC 3154
Audition Enquiries Contact: LB Bradley LNBRAD@hotmail.com
Performances
Season Dates: 5 Oct 2023 - 15 Oct 2023
Showtimes:
2:00pm on:
- Sat 7th Oct 2023
- Sun 8th Oct 2023
- Sat 14th Oct 2023
- Sun 15th Oct 2023
8:00pm on:
- Thu 5th Oct 2023
- Fri 6th Oct 2023
- Sat 7th Oct 2023
- Thu 12th Oct 2023
- Fri 13th Oct 2023
- Sat 14th Oct 2023
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
All auditions are by appointment only. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork, including a review of rehearsal dates.
To express your interest in auditioning please forward a short theatrical CV and headshot by email to LNBRAD@hotmail.com by no later than Friday 14/July, specifying which audition date you would prefer
It is expected that all auditionees will have read the script & be familiar with the story by their audition.
Casting is open to all ethnicities, and all female, female-identifying and non-binary performers.
Actors must be comfortable performing semi-solo, as each character interacts via telephone only so your scene partner will not be in the same part of the stage as you.
Southern USA Accents, as the characters were all raised in Memphis Tennessee.
