Essendon Theatre Co.
Author: Based on the Book by Cheryl Strayed Adapted for the Stage by Nia Vardalos
Director: Alexander Gibbs
Genre: Drama
Agent: Origin Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French
Synopsis
“Sugar” is trying to finish a book. To make ends meet she reluctantly agrees to take on work as an anonymous advice columnist. In a series of connected vignettes, “Sugar” gets to know several different people and their plethora of personal problems – and in turn, they (and the audience) discover some of her deepest, darkest secrets.
Characters
Characters Summary:
There are roles for 1 female and approx. 3-5 performers of any gender.
Characters Description:
Sugar
F, 30s-40s. A struggling writer. Real name is Cheryl but she does not reveal this until the end. Divorced, with no regrets. Remarried, finally loved for the person she is. A history of drug abuse; would happily vomit all over the first person who labels her with “a history of drug abuse”. Has experienced child abuse but does not let this define her.
Letter Writers
Gender/age neutral. No specific accents required.
These are the various characters who write letters to Sugar – these are mostly drawn verbatim from real letters and lived experiences.
NOTE: You may be cast as more than one Letter Writer – most characters come with their own monologue, and some are longer than others. Those cast as letter writers with particular characters may also be asked to learn and understudy other ‘letters’, to prepare for the possibility that the production run may be impacted by COVID.
The characters of these Letter Writers include the following examples:
“Confused”: dating a woman but afraid to say “I love you”
“Stuck”: a woman who has recently miscarried; guilty about the numbness this makes her feel; angry with her doctor for blaming her weight
“Crushed”: middle-aged, married, with a crush on a friend
“Orphan”: male-transitioning transgender; estranged from her parents
“Why Tell?”: a rape victim; afraid to admit their experience to their new partner
“Sexy Santa”: dating a girl who is sexually aroused by Santa Claus; starting to consider putting on the suit to spice things up
“Gump”: male, bit of a dick; dumped his ex for being self-absorbed; started sleeping with her best friend; does a terrible Forrest Gump impression that he thinks is pretty damn hilarious
“Thief”: a reformed kleptomaniac; self-loathing; grew up with an abusive mother
“Living Dead Dad”: in his own words, ‘a sad, angry man whose son died’ (NOTE: this is the longest Letter Writer monologue)
Audition Venue & Dates
Audition Dates and Times:
11:00am on:
- Sat 21st May 2022
- Sun 22nd May 2022
Audition Venue Name: Essendon Theatre Company
Audition Venue Address:
Bradshaw Street Community Hall
Bradshaw Street (off Buckley Street)
West Essendon VIC 3040
Audition Enquiries Contact: Alexander Gibbs at AlexanderGibbs1982@gmail.com or 0410 933 582
Performances
Season Dates: 14 Jul 2022 - 16 Jul 2022
Showtimes:
2:00pm on:
8:00pm on:
- Thu 14th Jul 2022
- Fri 15th Jul 2022
- Sat 16th Jul 2022
More info
Other Information
Other Information:
Rehearsal Period:
Rehearsals will be twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm-10pm, with the possibility of Sunday rehearsals if needed, in discussion with the cast and advance notice being given.
Please Note:
Successful cast MUST BE available for rehearsal period as well as all production dates. Please check you are available for all performance dates before booking your audition time.
ETC is a community theatre company and, as such, no actors are paid.
