August, Osage County offers some of the most exciting and challenging acting opportunities ever written for the American stage. Director Shelagh Grasso invites ambitious actors to audition for Church Hill Theatre’s September revival of Tracy Lett’s searing black comedy. Auditions will be held at the theatre (103 Walnut Street in Church Hill, Maryland) at 6 pm on Monday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 19 and at 10 am on Saturday, June 22.
The New York Sun describes the play as “…a tensely satisfying comedy, interspersed with remarkable evocations on the cruelties and (occasional) kindness of family life…. packed with unforgettable characters and dozens of quotable lines.” The play follows the large Weston family after the patriarch disappears and a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets ensues.
The characters include the vanished father, an acidic pill-popping mother, three sisters with shady secrets, their spouses or lovers, a troubled grandchild, other relatives, and a few of their Oklahoma neighbors. Grasso’s auditions will include cold readings from the script and informal improvisations to show the actor’s ability to create character as well as relate to other characters.
There are roles for 6 men and 7 women, ranging in age from about 30 to 70, and for one young teen aged girl, Jean. Because of adult themes and language, anyone under 18-years of age must have written permission from a parent or guardian to audition for this role. Copies of the script are available at the CHT office and auditioners can download the information sheet from the website: churchhilltheatre.org. You may also call CHT at 410-556-6003 or contact the director at [email protected] for more information.
The show will open on Friday, September 13 and run through September 29, with performances at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. The director stresses that auditions are open to all, from first timers to experienced veterans. “Do not miss this opportunity to create character.”
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