Monthly Archives: April 2017

AUDITIONS for The Drama Workshop’s production of NATURAL CAUSES. Written by Eric Chappell. Directed by Ray Lebowski. Produced by Ray Persing

Auditions will be April 30 and May 1, 2017, at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave, Cheviot, OH 45211. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and auditions will begin promptly at 7pm. Actors are asked to bring a resume and headshot, and will audition in groups. Auditions will run no later than 9 pm, and may end earlier. Callbacks, if necessary, will be on May 3, 2017. Updates will be posted on the TDW Facebook page. Show dates are October 6, 2017 through October 22, 2017. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm, Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. Call time is 1 ½ hours before curtain, unless other arrangements are made with the stage manager. Rehearsals will begin in mid-August.

The director is seeking five actors. Needed: 3 men (40-60) and 2 women (one 40s, one 20s). Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

ABOUT THE SHOW: Natural Causes is black comedy at its blackest and best. Walter Bryce contacts Vincent, a travelling salesman who trades in a potion designed to help people commit suicide and move painlessly into the next world. He arrives at Walter’s English country house and mistakenly assumes that the potion is for Walter’s consumption. It becomes clear that the client is Celia, Walter’s wife − or is she? Why are all her suicide letters typed and unsigned? After several thwarted attempts to poison various characters (resulting in the multiple poisonings of a rubber plant), will anyone manage to drink the potion?

Vincent (age 35-55) – Undereducated but intelligent. Makes a modest living working for Exodus, dispensing a colorless, odorless, tasteless all-natural liquid which produces a quick (but not instant), painless death. Very professional in his work; deals in death but is not indiscriminate about it. Has ethics, morals, and pride.

Walter Bryce (age 45-60) – A bit condescending but not an out-and- out snob. Not terribly strong-willed. The money that supports his very comfortable lifestyle belongs to his wife, Celia. He’d like to have that money and to spend it with his hot half-his- age secretary.

Angie (age 25-30) – Walter’s secretary and then some. Neither dim nor bright. Daughter of a friend of Celia. Wants Walter, may want more the money he’ll get if Celia snuffs it. Knows which head Walter is thinking with, also knows he is somewhat weak-willed. Clever and manipulative, but not out-and- out evil.

Celia (age 40-55) – Walters wife. Chronically depressed, of the “I can’t go on”, “Is life worth living?” variety. Languid. Constantly threatening to kill herself, but won’t do it because she thinks Walter needs her more. From moneyed folks. Knows nothing about Walter and Angie.

Withers (age 35-plus) – Volunteer for Samaritans, a suicide prevention organization. Married, with children. Buys into and spouts every “life is beautiful” cliché, at least at first.

Actors who are selected will be contacted by the director. The practice of The Drama Workshop is to notify all auditioners via email of results once the show is cast, after which a cast list will be posted on the TDW website and Facebook page. Those without email who are not cast will not be contacted individually.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Please bring a current headshot & resume. No prepared monologue is required. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Callbacks, if needed, will be at the director’s discretion. Bring your calendar and be prepared to list all conflicts. Conflicts not listed at time of audition may not be honored. Those who are cast will be expected to assist with the staging, advertising, or some other aspect of the production. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ray Persing at 937.877.6116 or at trpersing@gmail.com.