AUDITION PACKET

Where: LeRoy Collins Library (The Main Public Library, Downtown)

Auditions: Wednesday, March 16, 6:00 8:30PM, Room B
Thursday, March 17, 6:00 8:30PM, Henderson Room
Callbacks: Saturday, March 19, 1:00 3:30PM, Magnolia Room

Greenhouse Audition Packet

Welcome to Polyphonic Bonsai!

Welcome to Polyphonic Bonsai! Along with our commitment to the Tallahassee
community in general, we like to foster a strong sense of community among our casts and
production teams. So if youre returning to PB, were excited to see you again! If this is your
first time out for PB, were eager to meet you! And if this is your first time auditioning
anywhere, were rooting for you!
In this packet, youll find a brief summary of the one-act plays, character descriptions of
the roles, and a few scene excerpts called sides, which we will use during the audition. Please
feel free to look all this over, and remember that sides do NOT have to be memorized. Copies
that you may read from will be provided at the audition.
If any questions arise, please dont hesitate to contact us through Facebook or
polyphonicbonsai@gmail.com. Thanks for giving us a go, and good luck!
Sincerely,
The Polyphonic Bonsai Team

So Whats the Greenhouse All About?

This show will be Polyphonic Bonsais first Greenhouse Production. The Greenhouse
helps aspiring playwrights craft and hone one-act scripts during a six-month writing workshop.
Polyphonic then premieres the plays with a fully mounted production.
Our current batch of one-acts consists of a dream play about coping with having made the
right choice, a kitchen sink tragedy of blood inspired by true events, and a comedy about
witches. Although diverse in their topics and genres, we will tie these plays together as a night
of modern fairy tales with a sprinkling of fantasy, a dash of violence, and just a pinch of morals
to the stories. Pretty much the stuff of fairy tales and fables, complete with a storyteller! The
production will run 13th 15th May 2016 at the Schnittman Theatre in Railroad Square.

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Sometimes a Dream Summary

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't
around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?
Clarence, Its a Wonderful Life
Megan Caitos Sometimes a Dream is a drama that centers around Stanley, a family man
who begins having a recurring dream about a strange girl whose only wish is to watch Its a
Wonderful Life. As he explores the dreams and their relationship to his waking life, he becomes
trapped in a labyrinth of guilt and repression that he must navigate through alone, unable to find
comfort in his usual confidants. As the play progresses, we learn more about Stanley and the
mysterious girl as well as explore what happens to grief when it is denied and postponed.
Sometimes a Dream recalls the myth of the everyman, someone with whom audiences
can easily relate and identify. In this lies the plays power, telling what is oft-portrayed as a
womens issue from a mans perspective. A portrait that is at once fantastical and achingly real,
it is not just about the ties between dreams and reality or living with a decision that was right at
the time it was made. In a true reflection of the times, it bravely grapples with what it means to
abort a potential life and the intense fallout such a decision can have for everyone involved.

Sometimes a Dream Personage Descriptions

Stanley, a devoted husband and a father of two. Kind to a fault, he wants the best for everyone in
his lifesometimes at his own expense. A childhood of emotional suppression makes it a
struggle to understand his feelings now, when he really needs to. Despite this, he is a thoughtful
man who does not hesitate to share his thoughts with others.
Rebecca, in her early-to-mid teens. Affectionate and somewhat nave, her zest for what little life
she knows belies her intense loneliness. An ethereal air surrounds her, leading one to wonder if
she is truly real or just a figment of Stanleys imagination.
Rachel, Stanleys wife. A lighthearted sort, she employs humor to alleviate tension and
discomfort. Though her greatest wish is to support her partner, she sometimes fails to see the
gravity of certain situations until they have grown too big to be ignored.
Elly, Stanley and Rachels daughter, in her teens. Typical rebellious teenager: more interested in
her phone than her family. Shed die before admitting to being fond of them, but it shows
anyway.

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Dax, Stanley and Rachels son, in his teens. Sporty and somehow always full of energy. A little
uninformed on subjects in which no score is involved, but his intentions are always good.
Ben, Stanleys business partner and friend. Loves his wife too much and spends all his time
either with her or worried about what shes doing when hes not. He does his best to support his
friend, but his emotional maturity is a little lacking.

The Thompson House Summary

Lizzie Borden took an axe . . .
Lauren Sheltons The Thompson House portrays the last day of life as the Thompson
family knows it before their eldest daughter, Emily, slaughters her stepmother and father with an
axe. This one-act is a fictional domestic tragedy of blood inspired, in part, by the Lizzie Borden
murders of 1892. As such, while the play is set today, our production will pull from the grandguignol theatrical tradition. From the mid-1890s through the early 1960s in Paris and London,
the grand-guignol realistically presented spectacularly violent and gory one-act plays that
frequently drew inspiration from sensational crimes, like those of Jack the Ripper.
The grand-guignol was a sub-genre of Naturalism, which portrayed its characters
behaviors as shaped by both their biological nurture and their nurturing social environments.
Sometimes, Naturalist and grand-guignol plays also metaphorically nodded to supernatural
entities such as ghosts to describe the behavior and appearance of a mentally ill character. All of
this remains true for The Thompson House, too. From the beginning, the plays driving
questions are whether Emily, moping around like a ghost, has inherited her biological mothers
suicidal tendencies and whether her stepmothers harassment aggravates those tendencies to a
horrific end.

The Thompson House Personage Descriptions

Note: Ages are flexible, and some ages can be played if avoiding ageist stereotyping.
Emily Emm Thompson, in her late teens. Emily is a young woman whose mother committed
suicide and who has a turbulent relationship with her stepmother. These events have taken
emotional and physical tolls on Emily, and yet she remains steadfast in defending herself. The
most important question, though, is whether these events have also taken a psychological toll that
makes her a danger to others. She is very particular about who may use her nickname.

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Mrs. Thompson, wife of Mr. Thompson and stepmother to Emily and Annie. Mrs. Thompson
has become the matriarch of the family to whose wishes all except Emily ultimately conform.
She is extremely concerned about Emilys mental health while simultaneously being particularly
domineering with Emily. She is prone to severe migraines, which hot tea helps to soothe, and
she is very aware that Emily regards her specifically as the stepmother.
Annie Thompson, Emilys younger sister. Annie is the peacemaker who wants everyone to get
along. She constantly tries to please the family through being a team player. She also seeks to
reconcile Emily with their stepmother through interpreting everything either does as charitably as
possible. As such, she might be good-natured to a fault. Loyal to Emily, she also accepts their
stepmother as mom.
Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Thompsons husband and father of Emily and Annie. Mr. Thompson tries
to resolve familial discord in two ways: Either through compromise or refusal to admit
disagreements. While he also very much wants Emily and Mrs. Thompson to get along with
each other, his defense of Emily at times accidentally insults Mrs. Thompson and ignores
Emilys potentially significant issues.
Mr. Duncan, Mr. Thompsons employer and friend. Mr. Duncan is an unintentional foil to Mr.
Thompson: He seems to have achieved the ideal family life that Mr. Thompson would like to
have.
Mrs. Duncan, Mr. Duncans wife. Mrs. Duncan is an unintentional foil to Mrs. Thompson: She
seems to have achieved the ideal family life to which Mrs. Thompson ambitiously aspires.

Swamp Witch Summary

Once upon a time, in a land far away ... Or just a few counties over, really.
A devilish comedy, Jay Yeargins Swamp Witch drops the audience in a Floridian swamp
where a coven of five witches gathers at an old, stone abandoned church for fellowship, the
casting of spells, and the blessing of wine. They love their swamp, which becomes threatened at
the arrival of a vulture the human kind. Richard, an out-of-town developer, plans to fill the
swamp and replace the wild landscape with the sterile manicured lawns of a golf course. The
witches Tabetha, Kay, Sunbeam, Annabelle, and Rika pull out all the stops from policy to
parlor tricks to kick Richard out and save their swamp.
Are mighty spells and moneyed interests the only powers in the world? Or can the
simplest of us make a change? Swamp Witch is more than a comedy with witches. It is a play
about conservation, the importance of friendships, and the power of a single person.

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Swamp Witch Personage Descriptions

Tabetha du Frense, Esq., an out-of-practice lawyer, the matriarch of the coven. She shepherds
her fellow witches (at times refereeing hot tempers) as they strive to save their land. Her tactics
remain gentle, non-invasive, and aimed at a peaceful resolution.
Kay, a livewire in the coven, she speaks her mind no matter whos listening. A craftswoman,
she grows herbs and makes skincare products. Fiercely loyal to her coven and to her swamp, Kay
may go against the covens wishes in order to save the swamp.
Sunbeam, a barefoot painter; a ray of sunshine. Hospitality and kindness are her virtues, and she
is virtuous to a fault. Her generosity is questionable at times.
Annabelle, Rikas girlfriend, a midwife who makes a mean placenta stew. She is a thoughtful,
witty witch who sometimes doesnt think ahead.
Rika, Annabelles girlfriend, an ecologist. She watches over the swamps flora and fauna. She
has a gift with wildlife, including the spiritual kind.
Richard, a developer who buys the swamp and plans to build a golf course there. He knows his
rights, and he knows whos for sale.
Surveyor, a workingman hired by Richard to help him plan out the new golf course on the
swamp. Superstitiously respectful of the coven, for the sake of a paycheck, he must swallow any
doubt and do his job for Richard.
Demon, a reptilian spawn who wreaks havoc on his enemies, and his friends.

The Storyteller Personage Description

The Storyteller, who frames and unifies the three one acts. This person functions as the
Greenhouses Master of Ceremonies, narrator, and basic scene changer. As MC, he or she
welcomes the audience to the production. As narrator, he or she introduces each play as though
a fairy tale within the Greenhouses storybook. Most importantly, the Storyteller must really talk
to the audience rather than at the audience. As scene changer, he or she will literally turn the
large pages on stage that serve as background scenery for each play.

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Sides
Side 1, Sometimes a Dream: Stanley & Rebecca.
Stanley is sleeping, hes lying on the floor in the middle of the stage. A young girl appears from
the right side, and walks over to him, not next to him, but near and facing him.
REBECCA: Its nice to have you back. I was alone.
Stanley awakes. His eyes adjust to the scene of black as a spotlight shines on the girl figure. She
eases out of the darkness and into the waiting spotlight, hesitantly, like a small, shy child.
Stanley sits up, supporting himself with his forearms. He is not frightened by the girl, but
uncertain. She speaks again:
REBECCA: What movies do you like? I like Its a Wonderful Life. Do you?
STANLEY: (Groggy and addled:) Yes, I love it.
REBECCA: (Noticeably excited.) Then lets watch it together!
Stanley widens his eyes, looking at her, then around himself.
STANLEY: On what TV? How do you watch movies here?
The girl smiles and a spotlight shines on a TV that was previously hidden in the darkness. They
walk over and sit as the movie starts.
STANLEY: (Smiles.) Its nice to watch this with someone, my wife cant stay awake through
anything, and the kids wont watch black and white movies.
REBECCA: (Giggles.) Thats silly. She leans her head against his shoulder, she is small.
The scene fades out.

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Side 2, Sometimes a Dream: Stanley & Ben.

BEN: Anyway, dont let me carry on about myself, how ya been, Stan? You look like shit. No
offense.
Stanley is looking down at his drink, chuckling a little, a crooked smile on his face, bags under
his eyes. Wishing he was back home in bed, not awake.
STANLEY: I knowGod. I havent been sleeping well, I keep dreaming. Ive been having
these nonsensical dreams about a girl. Its so calm in the dreams. I never want to get up.
BEN: (Mumbling as he sloppily sips his beer.) Mm? (Spilling a little down his shirt:)
Ahh, shoot. (Ben pulls at his shirt, looking down at it with slight care, and continues talking.)
Dang itum, is it that, uh, dream again? I think Rachel mentioned it the last time we all had
dinner. So, what, youre having some kind of nightmare?
STANLEY: (Shakes his head slowly.) Not really. Its justIts the same thing every night. And
I cant get it out of my head. I remember having nightmares at least when I was younger, not
anything special, but something different, you know? This one seems to mean something though.
I always feel guilty waking up, like Im supposed to stay there. Im always alone in the dark
when Rebeca girl shows up. We talk a little but mostly just sit and watch the same movie a lot.
Its nice, actually. Like an escape from stress and everything.
BEN: (Nods, but clearly doesnt understand.) It just sounds like a typical dream to me. Nothing
ever makes sense in dreams, and if it does then its better left forgotten anyway. Itll make you
paranoid. And youre probably just forgetting all the other dreams you have. Dreams do that
sometimes. Your own mind goes behind your back and compresses all these made-up stories into
nothing but dustbasically what they were in the first place. This is probably just the only one
that sticks. Anyway, sorry, Stan. I wish I could sleep more too.
As Ben says this, he uses his hands to show what he means, touching his finger tips together and
pulling them apart, back and forth, as if something were expanding and contracting, inhaling
and exhaling. He watches his own hands as he does this and makes a scrunched-up kind of face.
STANLEY: (Shrugs off Bens response.) I dont know, but I cant really accept that. Because
then whats the point? This one feels so real. I feel attached to it, physically. I feel myself being
sucked in kind of, you know? It gets harder to leave every time.
BEN: (Thinking Stanley is just sleep deprived.) Shit, I dont know. You need to just think about
something else. Or maybe go see a therapist or something. I dont think youre crazy or anything,
but you need to talk to someone other than me. Sarah did that after her dad died. Plus, Im pretty
buzzed right now. Why are you letting me drink, ha-ha?
STANLEY: (Rubbing his head and laughing a bit, but looking tired.) Because we need it, I
suppose. Occasionally.

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Side 3, Sometimes a Dream: Stanley & Rachel.

Stanley wakes up in his bed. His wife Rachel is off stage getting ready for work.
RACHEL: Jesus, Stanley, you were snoring again. Like, full on snoring. Something like I
imagine a walrus would do, ha-ha.
STANLEY: (Disoriented and tired, but goes along with it, speaking in a flat way.) Oh yeah?
Well you farted.
RACHEL: Umm, no. You werent even conscious last night. You know how I know? Because I
was awake. I got these rad, front-row seats to the loudest snoring concert. Performed by an
inexplicably cute man in need of a shaveand some good sleep.
Stanley rubs his face with one hand and laughs as he starts to remember the nights contents.
STANLEY: Speaking of, Rachel, I had that dream again. With the girl.
RACHEL: (Teasing her groggy husband:) Hm, maybe youre fantasizing about one of Ellys
friends again.
STANLEY: No! This is serious, Rachel. She said somethingand hey, that was just because
Selena was a gymnast. And I wasnt fantasizing, I was intrigued. Have you ever seen someone
bend that far back? Come on. God, stop distracting me.
RACHEL: Either way, it was gross. Im glad Im not flexible; Id never get you off me.
STANLEY: Rachel. Listen to me!
Rachel looks up at her husband, realizing he is serious and upset.
STANLEY: I think the dream means something.
RACHEL: (In a sympathetic way:) Its just some weird dream, love. I dont think they mean
very much at all. At least I hope they dont. I had one once that had me strangling my cousin. It
was awful. Id like to think theres no truth in that.

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Side 4, The Thompson House: Mr. & Mrs. Thompson.
MR. THOMPSON: (Kisses her on the cheek.) Did the girls leave for school already?
MRS. THOMPSON: Yes you just missed them. Dear dont forget about dinner tonight. Be sure
to remind Mr. Duncan when to be here. I dont want to the dinner to get cold while we wait for
them to show up. Oh I gave Emily and Annie the shopping list. Lets hope Emily can actually
finish the shopping for once
MR. THOMPSON: You shouldnt be too hard on her, she is just a kid.
MRS. THOMPSON: We really need to finish that discussion of sending her away toMR. THOMPSON: You are not sending my daughter anywhere. (Crosses to front door.)
MRS. THOMPSON: But, dear it would be good for her. She would get better; she wouldnt be
moping around like a ghost.
MR. THOMPSON: My answer is no. I dont want to hear about this again. She is our daughter,
not some toy you ship away to be fixed.
MRS. THOMPSON: So you agree that she needs to be handled with betterMR. THOMPSON: She is fine. She doesnt need help, she isnt like her mother. Well Im off,
have a nice day darling. (He exits.)
Mrs. Thomson crosses down stage.
MRS. THOMPSON: Well if I have anything to do with it, that brat will be shipped off to the
loony bin by the end of this year.

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Side 5, The Thompson House: Emily, Annie, & Mrs. Thompson.
Emily and Annie peel potatoes and cut onions, respectively, while Mrs. Thompson arranges the
hors doeuvres in the other room.
EMILY: God she is so annoying, why does she have to comment on every damn thing I do? She
is just waiting for me to do something wrong.
ANNIE: Emily stop that, you know she doesnt mean it.
EMILY: Yes, she does. She said, (Mocking her stepmothers tone:) Well at least youre not
completely useless. Its like Im stupid and I cant do anything right.
ANNIE: Emily you know thats not true, mom is justEMILY: (Raised voice:) Mom? That woman is not our mother. Our mother didnt hate me. She
hates me! And shes to ship me off to some asylum.
Mrs. Thompson stops humming to herself and glances towards Emily and Annie.
MRS. THOMPSON: Girls stop chatting and get back to work. (Goes back to arranging a
cheese platter.)
ANNIE: Thats not true. She worries about you when you get all worked up. (Continues her
onion chopping and just like Mrs. Thompson cant hear Emily anymore.)
EMILY: (Stops peeling the potatoes.) Youll see. They all will see. She is evil; she is trying to
ruin my life. But we wont let her win

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Side 6, The Thompson House: Emily & Mrs. Thompson.
MRS. THOMPSON: Well, I hope youre happy young lady. You ruined your fathers dinner
party. He could wave goodbye to that promotion. He might even lose his job, and then we would
have to live on the street all because of your desperate need attention.
EMILY: Attention? Attention! Thats what you call it when someone has had enough torment
and bullying? You have got to be
MRS. THOMPSON: Hold your tongue. You will not speak to me unless you can say it
respectfully.
EMILY: When you start deserving respect, I will.
MRS. THOMPSON: I am your mother and you will treat meEMILY: (Yelling.) You are not my mother!
MRS. THOMPSON: (Even louder) Youre right. Im not your mother. Your mother hated you so
much that she killed herself so she didnt have to look at your uglyEmily screams and raises her hand in preparation to strike Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson
reacts in defense. Freeze in tableau before any actual violence occurs.

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Side 7, Swamp Witch: Tabetha, Kay, & Richard.
RICHARD: ([looks] over the church.) Well be tearing that down, of course.
KAY: (Jumping to her feet.) Tearing what down? This isnt your land!
RICHARD: Oh, if it isnt the witches. Im afraid this isnt your land either.
KAY: Yes it is.
RICHARD: You only own that dirty little trailer park youre so attached to. Enjoy your picnic,
ladies. Im buying this land, and soon Ill have you escorted off for trespassing.
TABETHA: Sit, Kay. (Stands.) Does the current owner know you plan to tear down the church?
RICHARD: He doesnt care what I do with it. He was practically begging me to take it.
TABETHA: Well, what are you planning to do with it?
RICHARD: I'll be building a golf course.
TABETHA: Seems like a difficult hole. (Gestures around them) Theres water on three sides.
RICHARD: This is where the hotel will be. (Makes a disgusted face as he looks around.)
Waterside view.
TABETHA: Would you like a glass of our muscadine wine? (Offers to Richard)
RICHARD: (Looks her up and down.) Id rather drink swamp water.
KAY: That could be arranged...
TABETHA: The rest of the area isnt much different. Soggy, the smell never goes away. Filled
with mosquitoes
KAY: And gators! Theyll be in all the water traps. Someone might lose a foot.

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Side 8, Swamp Witch: Rika, Kay, & Sunbeam.
RIKA: Don't do anything weird, okay?
KAY: Like what?
RIKA: In fact, don't do anything.
KAY: Then what am I here for?
RIKA: Just call 'Come forth' whenever I pause in the chant.
KAY: 'Come forth'? This was my idea! Why do I get the dumb line?
RIKA: It's a summoning! Asking it to come forth is the most important part.
KAY: Can it at least be something cool like arise?
RIKA: Where's it supposed to arise from? We're just calling an alligator, they're everywhere.
KAY: Fine, whatever. You're the alligator expert...
RIKA: I'm an ornithologist.
KAY: Whatever!
SUNBEAM: Are we going to do this or not?
RIKA: You call 'come forth' with Kay. You know what to do after?
SUNBEAM: Then I anoint him. (The three link hands, getting serious.)
RIKA: From the swamp emerges a protector.
KAY: Come forth.
SUNBEAM: Come forth!
RIKA: To guard his home.
KAY & SUNBEAM: Come forth!
RIKA: To chase away the danger.
KAY & SUNBEAM: Come forth!