Tag Archives: Xenia Area Community Theatre

THESE SHINING LIVES, by Melanie Marnich
Directed by Julie Hauwiller

Audition Dates: Thursday, January 27th at 7pm and Sunday January 30 at 3pm

Performance Runs April 1-10

It’s the 1920s, and Catherine Donohue and her female co-workers enjoy their jobs at Radium Dial Company where they paint the numbers on watch faces using luminescent radium powder. But when the girls fall ill, their concerns are snubbed by their employer. A trusted doctor assures them they do indeed have a fatal condition due to radium poisoning. The girls have two choices: die quietly, or take Radium Dial to court. These heroic women choose to fight! They win their case, resulting in changes in worker safety in Illinois factories. Based on the true story.

Catherine Donohue, 20s – 30s  Actress must be on the slender side. Happy wife and mother of twins. Excited to work, bringing home a bigger income than her hubby. (Plays only herself.) *She and hubby Tom share several kisses and general physical affection.

Charlotte, 20s – 40s  Wisecracking, blunt. Puts up a bravado front. Loves her job and co-workers, and is a top-notch worker. (Also plays Reporter 1.)

Pearl, 20s,  Joke-telling (all corny!) member of the troupe. Loves her job and her co-working friends. (Also plays Daughter & Judge.)

Frances, 20s,  The “moral conscience” of the troupe. Loves her job and her co-working friends. (Also plays Reporter 2 & an Official.)

Tom Donohue, 20s – 30s Works high above Chicago, riveting skyscrapers. Loving hubby and father of twins. Supports his wife Catherine in her employment, and during the trial proceedings. (Also plays Dr. Rowntree & Dr. Dalitsch.) *He and wife Catherine share several kisses and general physical affection. Also, must be willing to be clean-shaven by performance time.

Mr. Reed Mid 20s – 50s: The Girls’ boss at Radium Dial Co. Strictly business, but congenial, pleasant. Actor must have a strong range, as he also plays lawyer Grossman, Radio Announcer, Company Doctor,  & Son. *Must be willing to be clean-shaven by performance time.

Auditions consist of cold readings from the script. Headshots/resumes helpful, not required!

Come at least 15 minutes early to take headshots and fill out the audition form.

Official page |

Directed by Melodee Bass – email kirkmel@msn.com

Auditions for THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) will be November 8th and 9th 6:30-8:00. Cold readings from script, and possible improv.

4 roles, 3 males, 1 female. Ages – open, be aware it is a physical show

An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)  was London’s longest-running comedy having clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s West End at the Criterion Theatre! Join us as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.

Production dates: Feb. 11-20

Auditions for the XACT Christmas Special – Two Staged Readings of Radio Classics.

Tuesday and Wednesday Oct 19 and 20th at 7pm at XACT, 45 E Second Street, Xenia.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script(s). These will be staged readings re creating the original radio productions, so lines need not be memorized. This is a great opportunity to get your “feet wet” on the stage.

GRACIE’S CHRISTMAS PARTY (1947) … Burns and Allen
1 woman, 6 men.
George, Gracie, narrator , Bill Goodwin, Judson, Meredith Willson , Doctor Miller, and Son Bobby.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL …. Orson Welles Production for THE CAMPBELL PLAYHOUSE (1939)
5 women and 11+ men.
Announcer, Orson Welles, Narrator, Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Fred- Scrooge nephew, Man- do gooder, Jacob Marley, Ghost of Christmas Past, Fezziwig, Belle- young and old, Robert- Belle’s husband, Ghost of Christmas Present, Mrs. Cratchit, Martha- daughter, Tiny Tim, Boy and girl at Cratchit house, Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, Charwoman, Joe, Boy in street.

Production dates: Dec. 3-12

Questions? Contact director Debra Zweber at xeniaarea@gmail.com