The Nomadic Performance Initiative presents THE CHILDREN’S HOUR by Lillian Hellman.
Set in a fictional New England town in the 1930s, THE CHILDREN’S HOUR tells the story of two women who are unjustly accused of homosexual activity by one of their students. The outraged community quickly withdraws all of their students, causing a witch hunt that ultimately forces the school to close. A relevant and haunting reminder of the power of words, lies and intolerance.
Directed by Farley Norman
Produced by Blair Godshall, Founder of Nomadic Performance Initiative,
Auditions June 27 and 28 6-8pm
Callbacks TBD (Likely July 1st)
97 3 Mile Rd, Wilder, KY 41076 (Right behind Northern Kentucky University and rehearsals will also take place here)
Performances are Sept 5-8 and will take place at the Lincoln Grant Scholar House in Covington, KY
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- Please have a 1 minute monologue prepared.
- You may also be asked to read from the script.
- Headshot/resume required along with a list of conflicts.
We are a new company and understand conflicts so we are flexible but it is understood if offered a role, you will have complete evening availability for tech/performance week Sept 1-8.
For questions or additional information, please contact Blair Godshall at Blairgodshall676@gmail.com
AVAILABLE ROLES (All roles receive a small stipend)
PRIMARY CHARACTERS (in alphabetical order)
AGATHA (50-65 years old)
A no-nonsense, middle-aged maid in the employ of Amelia Tilford. She is stern and straight-laced with Mary, who calls her “stupid,” although Agatha clearly sees through Mary’s deceptions. Agatha’s attempts to make the child into a “lady” are frustrated by Mrs. Tilford, who is deaf to the maid’s common-sense observations. Agatha also attempts to support Martha and Karen in their efforts to convince Mrs. Tilford that Mary concocted her story to destroy the young teachers.
DR. JOSEPH CARDIN (30-40 years old)
Cardin, about thirty-five, is a relaxed and amiable doctor and Karen Wright’s fiance. His casual dress reflects his warm, easy-going nature. He is also gracious and humorous and seems ideally suited to Karen.
**NOTE** This Role has been Cast MARTHA DOBIE (25-30 years old)
Karen Wright’s friend and co-owner of their school, Martha is about the same age, twenty-eight. She is described as “nervous” and “high strung” and is certainly far less composed and self-assured than her friend. It quickly becomes obvious that she greatly depends on Karen’s emotional stability and good sense to provide her with the confidence needed to make a go of their school.
LILY MORTAR (45-55 years old)
Hellman describes Lily Mortar as “a plump, florid woman of forty-five.” She is Martha Dobie’s aunt and teaches at the Wright-Dobie School. A self-centered woman, she lives in romanticized delusions of her past triumphs as an actress. She is also vain and very susceptible to flattery, an easy patsy for a conniving student like Mary Tilford. She refuses to grow old gracefully, dying her hair and dressing too fancifully for her reduced circumstances (and expanded waistline).
MRS. AMELIA TILFORD (Stage Age 50’s 60’s)
A wealthy widow, Mrs. Tilford is a large, dignified woman in her sixties. She has been an influential supporter of the Wright-Dobie School, where her granddaughter, Mary, is enrolled. Although she is a fair and generous person, she lacks good judgment when it comes to matters concerning her granddaughter. She recognizes that Mary is both spoiled and manipulative, but she dotes on the child and is utterly blind to the girl’s vicious nature.
MARY TILFORD (Stage Age 12-14)
The spoiled granddaughter of Amelia Tilford, Mary is a problem child at the Wright- Dobie School. She appears “undistinguished,” but she is clever and used to having her own way with her doting grandmother. She also attempts to manipulate everyone at the school, resorting to a variety of tricks, including flattery, feigned sickness, blackmail, physical intimidation, and whining complaints.
ROSALIE WELLS (Stage age 12-14)
Rosalie, a student at the Wright-Dobie School, appears first in the hectic scene opening the play, having her hair badly trimmed by Evelyn Munn. Unlike Peggy and Evelyn, she is not cowed by Mary Tilford, whom she does not like.
KAREN WRIGHT (25-30)
Karen Wright is Martha Dobie’s close friend and partner in the Wright-Dobie School. She is twenty-eight, attractive, warm, and outgoing. She is admired and respected by her students, for whom she has a genuine affection. She is also an emotionally stable woman, at ease with herself and others.
MINOR CHARACTERS All roles can be played by anyone 12 years and up who can believably look like their respective characters.
HELEN BURTON ( Stage Age 12-14)
One of the girls at Karen and Martha’s school.
CATHERINE (Stage Age 12-14)
Catherine is one of the students at the Wright-Dobie School.
LOIS FISHER (Stage Age 12-14)
Another of Karen and Martha’s students.
GROCERY BOY (Role will be doubled)
EVELYN MUNN (Stage Age 12-14)
One of the girls at the Wright-Dobie School Evelyn, who lisps, is relatively quiet and timid.
PEGGY ROGERS (Stage Age 12-14)
A student at the Wright-Dobie School, Peggy, like Evelyn Munn, is easily intimidated by Mary Tilford.
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