Theatre Casting Call for "These Shining Lives"
"These Shining Lives" play seeking cast. See the breakdown below. About the project: Synopsis: These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of four women considered expendable in their day. The women in this piece are delighted to find high-paying work in the early part of the century. They earn 8 cents for each watch face they paint. If they are fast enough and neat enough, they can earn over $8 a day. That kind of money could change the entire circumstances of a woman and her family in the 1920s. Catherine, also called Katie, is leaving home for her first day of work. She has twins and a loving and supportive husband. They are barely making ends meet and she sees the opportunity to work and bring home money as a huge boon for her family. At the factory, she meets her tablemates, Frances, Charlotte, and Pearl, and learns how to paint the watches: Take the brush and twirl it between your lips to make a sharp point, dip it in the paint, and paint the numbers. “It’s a lip, dip, and paint routine,” Frances instructs her. When Catherine comments on how the paint glows and tastes, she is told that radium is medicinal and cures all kinds of maladies. She quickly becomes adept at the work and loves her new identity as a working woman. Six years later, however, she and every girl working on the watches have health problems. She and all others have toxic levels of radium poisoning and their condition is fatal. Instead of fading into the background, Catherine and her friends decide to risk their names, images, and reputations and take the watch company to court. Additional info: Depending upon interest and turnout, the casting of smaller roles may be doubled. Audition Requirements You will be required to fill out an audition form during the first night of auditions, and, if you have them, please bring your acting resume and headshot. Be sure to list ALL known conflicts on the form as well. IMPORTANT: Though there are two nights of auditions, this will be a two-day process in which directors see and evaluate the potential candidates for the various roles. The first night will be monologue readings (the audition) and the second night will be dialog readings with other actors (callback). Audition Dates: January 26: Monologue readings using the character sides provided (see attachment). Auditions on this first night will be done as quickly as possible and on a first-come basis. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, January 27: Dialog Readings with other actors are part of callbacks, and you will be using selected sides provided by the director. Proposed Rehearsal Schedule: Will be provided at auditions for your review. Performance Dates 2025: April 11 (7:30pm) April 12 (7:30pm) April 13 (2:00pm) April 18 (7:30pm) April 19 (7:30pm) If you are interested, please apply.
13 roles
A young wife and mother of two. She works at the Radium Dial Company. While she is quiet, sensitive and reflective at times, she is by no means weak. She is full of life and passion for her work, her friends, and her husband. Main Character.
A worker at the factory. She is outspoken and hard-boiled. She is competitive and has a biting sense of humor. Underneath this front, however, she is just as kindhearted as her friends. Main Character.
A worker at the factory. She is the ‘moral backbone’ of the group but is more flexible than she lets on. She acts as a mediator during the beginning of the show between Charlotte and Catherine. Main Character.
A worker alongside Catherine at the factory. Sweet and supportive she is the “joker of the group.” But Pearl has a hard time coming to terms with her developing illness. Main Character.
The husband of Catherine Donohue, a riveter on the skyscrapers of Chicago. He loves Catherine and is extremely devoted to her but is somewhat unsettled when his wife starts making more money than he does. Main Character.
The overseer of the factory. His heart is usually with the girls, but when put under pressure he is a pawn of the Radium Dial Company and must follow orders. Main Character.
He extols the benefits of radium to cure common illnesses. Will be combined with another role. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
A brash lawyer who has enough courage to take the girls’ case. He is disturbed by the company’s treatment of Catherine and her friends. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
Much like Mr. Reed, the Company doctor is a pawn of the Radium Dial Company. He denies that the girl’s illnesses are related to their working conditions and the radium they are exposed to. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
Much like Dr. Rowntree, the radio announcer makes a performance out of selling radium to the public. Boasting of its benefits and popularity, he sells the product along with a trio of radio station singers. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
An incredibly honest doctor. The girls go to him/her and receive their separate, gruesome diagnoses. He/she reappears in the trial scene to confirm their conditions before the jury. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
Appears in the courtroom scene of Catherine’s trial versus the Radium Dial Company. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
Speaks outside of the courthouse during Catherine’s lawsuit. They provide the opinion of the public. Smaller Roles: These roles are just as important to the play but will require less memorization. As needed, some of these roles will be handled with double casting.
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