Auditions:
Four short plays

directed by Lynn Coory, Millie Armstrong, Megan Davies and Liz Ebrey

 

Dates: Auditions - 1.30 pm on Sunday 1 February. Callbacks - 7.30 pm on Tuesday 3 February

Venue (also for rehearsals and performances): Cochran Hall, 106 Cashmere Avenue, Khandallah

Rehearsals: For 8 weeks, starting Sunday 14 February. One weekday evening and one weekend slot for each play. Days and times to be decided in consultation with the casts.

Technical and dress rehearsals: Afternoon and evening of Sunday 12 April and evening of Wednesday 15 April - you must be available for these

Season: 4 performances: evenings of 16, 17 and 18 April and a matinee on the afternoon of Saturday 18 April

To register for an audition

  1. Check the audition, rehearsal and performance dates - are you available?

  2. Register your interest by emailing katmembership@gmail.com. Give your phone number. If you can’t audition on 1 or 3 February, let us know and we’ll see if we can arrange another date and time for you.

  3. We’ll send you a link to the scripts and an audition form to return to us.

  4. Come along to the audition.

The plays and characters

Alan Grimaldi and the 183 (UK) by Bob Hammond, directed by Lynn Coory

Genre: Comedy/Fantasy

Period: the present

Plot: Alan Grimaldi heads off to work as usual but finds himself in a room with two strangers.

Roles: 2 men, 1 woman (all any age over 30)- see below for details

Battle Hymn (NZ) by Stephen Walker, directed by Millie Armstrong

Genre: History/Fantasy

Periods: 1980s and 1917

Plot: Their life experiences couldn’t be more different but for a nihilistic and possibly anorexic 17-year-old there is much to learn from an anxious 66-year-old mother who has taken to her bed. “A touching and tough fantasy.” (publisher)

Roles: 1 girl (late teen), 2 women (40s), 1 woman (60s) - see below for details

Queen B (NZ) by Pip Hall, directed by Megan Davies

Genre: Feminist Sci-Fi

Period: An Orwellian future, where environmental changes have led to low fertility.

Plot: Three women are subjected to state-led testing to determine their suitability for queen b status, a role where reproductive labour is exchanged for money, status, and power

Roles: 4 women (mid-20s) - see below for details

The Martha Syndrome (UK) by Scott Marshall, directed by Liz Ebrey

Genre: Social Issue/Mystery

Period: The present

Plot: A middle-aged woman found wandering in the park in the early hours of the morning with blood-stained hands ends up in a police station. There are many questions asked but few answered. Her two interrogators disagree on their approach and tension rises between them. Why is she so reluctant to reveal any details of her life?

Roles: 2 women (1 40s/early 50s, 1 20s), 1 man (50s) - see below for details

The roles

  • A businessman who has found himself in a situation he has never had to deal with before.

  • Blunt and to-the-point, set in his way of thinking, a ‘straight shooter’.

    Barry and Sandra have the type of relationship that has grown comfortable from working together for a long time, they know each other well. They are quirky and obviously enjoy what they do and each other’s company.

  • More subtle than Barry, tries to cover for him. Conversation flows easily from her.

    Barry and Sandra have the type of relationship that has grown comfortable from working together for a long time, they know each other well. They are quirky and obviously enjoy what they do and each other’s company.

  • A nihilistic 17 year-old girl who doesn’t see the point of hope in a hopeless world. While struggling with an eating disorder, she finds solace in her books, much to the dismay of her mother.

  • A 66-year-old woman who is waiting for news of her son, wounded in the Battle of the Somme. She is inconsolable, pushing others away in the process and sometimes behaving like a toddler.

  • Susan’s well-meaning, if sometimes dismissive or blunt, mother. She is doing her best for her daughter, even if her best involves sweeping anything the least bit sad or unusual under the rug.

  • Ruby’s employee companion, doing her best to console and take care of her. Could be played by the same actress as the mother.

  • A queer environmentalist. Is academically minded and politically aware, openly challenging the morals of the programme throughout.

  • Works on the pipeline and is accustomed to manual labour. Is direct and has little patience for authority, constantly pushing back throughout the process.

  • Works as a secretary. Is optimistic about the State and motivated by her need to be valued. She is after the prestige that the queen b status will give her.

  • A government employee who runs the testing. Is calm and authoritative throughout. However, her own feelings about the programme are revealed through her reactions to observing the other women.

  • Middle-aged, diminutive, distressed and guarded. The actor will need to be able to maintain ambiguity and build tension at the right moments.

  • Male in 50s: The senior officer, who dominates the room with authority and confidence. The actor needs to have a strong presence, and ability to project menace without overt aggression.

  • Female in 20s: The junior officer, running the interview with growing unease. The actor must be able to show empathy and warmth, while remaining controlled and professional.