Little Theater Players

Audition Packet for

Ark of Safety
by Howard Richardson and Frances Goforth based on Tall Tales from Old Smokey by C. Hodge Mathes
Instrumental and Movement auditions at 5:00pm on Friday, September 9th Acting auditions at 3:00pm on Tuesday, September 13th DESCRIPTION: This drama of life in a tiny Appalachian community combines comedy and theatrical excitement with bluegrass music, hymns and country dancing to celebrate local heritage and traditions. The play presents the loves, hates, adventures, prejudices and deep religious faith of these people in the face of a meager existence. It is a memory play of half forgotten tales of long ago. The story unfolds in the mind of Clyde Tollett, who returns after death to the time and place of his childhood and he relives the highlights of his life. TIME: At the turn of the 20th century SETTING: Somewhere in the Great Smokey Mountains Please familiarize yourself with the characters and their descriptions. Select a monologue that best suits your talents for the audition. You will be considered for all rolesnot just the character whose monologue you are performing. FEMALE CHARACTERS MAG TOLLETTthe matriarch and soul of the Tollett family SUE ANN MCTAVISHToms wife and the object of Johns desire (must be comfortable singing) PENNYLOPE CALAHANan experienced midwife AGNES BODENa local woman who assist with childbirth AUNT VINY GLASPYMags trusted friend CORDIE MCKINNEYa dedicated Methodist LOUVINY WHITEHEADa dedicated Methodist 1ST YOUNG GIRLa flirtatious, contemporary tourist 2ND YOUNG GIRLa flirtatious, contemporary tourist BELULAHPreacher Gallahers granddaughter (must be an excellent mover)

AUNT RACHEL MCTAVISHsomeone willing to bridge the gap between the Baptists and the Methodists SARAH CUTSHAWJohns mother who loves her son unconditionally DILSIE TOLLETTa pretty teenager who caught between her family and the man she loves

MALE CHARACTERS: CLYDE TOLLETTthe leader of the group, a young mountain boy who narrates the play with innocence, purity, compassion and sympathy (must be comfortable singing *; guitar playing is a plus) PREACHER GALLAHERa Baptist preacher with a dynamic voice (must be an good mover) UNCLE SYCAMOREa respected elder of the community who protects his friends and neighbors (must be comfortable singing *) REVEREND SHELTONa Methodist preacher with a dynamic voice (must be an excellent mover) HUSE MCKINNEYa dedicated Methodist CHEROKEE INDIANa commercialized image of an Indian Chief TOM TOLLETTa young man with the capacity for great love and great hate JOHN CUTSHAWan aggressive and violent young man ZEB TOLLETTa young man who is dedicated to his family CORT TOLLETTa young man who is dedicated to his family SHERIFF MUMPOWERthe symbol of law and order in the community MARTIN CUTSHAWJohns volatile brother JUDGE CAGLEa symbol of the law in a land ruled by vengeance ADAM MUMPOWERa handsome young preacher who believes he can change the world BOYa kid who needs to learn how to behave in church RUFUS LITTLEJOHNa mill worker (must be comfortable singing *) JONAS HARONa mill worker (must be comfortable singing *) BUB BECKLEYa mountain lad and messenger (must be comfortable singing *) ELKANAH BECKLEYthe miller owner (must be comfortable singing *) BARRY CUTSHAWJohns gentle brother TOWNSPEOPLE, TOURISTS, ETC.an ensemble which will be prominently featured FEATURED DANCERSa featured dance ensemble will blend country dancing with modern movement MUSICIANSInstrumentalists, including but not limited to fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass harmonica, will accompany the music and action of the play. Musicians must be comfortable improvising and contributing creatively to the production. (Musicians may also portray the characters described above.) * Please note that this is not a musical and actors cast in roles that sing should not sound trained. If you considered yourself a non-singer, you are encouraged to audition for these roles!

Email Mrs. Buckley (LittleTheaterPlayers@gmail.com) with any questions about characters or the audition process.

Feel free to audition with or without an accent. (We will work with the dialect in rehearsal!) MENS MONOLOGUES CLYDE: Howdy, everybody. I guess some of you are wonderin what this here is all bout. Well, if youll just bear with me for a bit, Ill try to explain. What were doin is showin you the part of the country that we know bestlike it is now and like t used to be. Now I know a lot of folks think the Smoky Mountains is one place where changes come slowly and where people still live as they did a hundred years or so ago. But as anyone whos ever lived here will bear me out, that just aint the truth. I aint a-sayin things is better than they was or worse than they was, but they sure is different, and that is a fact. Now most of you know how things is like today, so there aint much point in my dwellin too much on that. What I aim to do tonight is remember with you how things used to be. PREACHER GALLAHER: There aint no question about it. There aint no room fer no argument. Its all writ down in the Book fer anybody to read. Jehovah made it clear as the mountain streams that run down these there hills. If you study the Word, there can be but one conclusion. I aint sayin one word agin the Methodists personally. They is fine people, they is sincere and they is well meanin. But they are followin after the teachings of a Godless, unbeievin man named Wesley. They is two things that God Amighty never made and never intended to be: One is a mule and the other is a Methodist. TOM: It burns me plumb up the way John Cutshaw and his ma cut across the lower end of our pasture a-getting to church. Im tellin you right now what I aim to do the next time them Cutshaws trespass on our land. Im goin to drag that aggrivatin John Cutshaw out of our church right by his heels and then and thar Im gonna stone him good or string him up on a limb, one. That should put a stop to itmaybe. ADAM: Dear Lord, at a time like this how can I know wich way to turn, what path I should take? No ones been able to say for sure which should rulethe heart or the head. My head tells me I should listen to my pa, that I shouldnt ought to be a-meddlin in folks private affairs. But how can I serve you if I dont try to put a stop to all this hatin between two families in my flock? My heart tells me I must do everything I can to bring the Cutshaws and the Tolletts together in love and fergiveness. Im askin fer Your help, Lord, but I cant seem to hear You. My head whispers, Listen to yer Pa. But I feel my heart suddenly stop. Tell me year answer, Lord. I beg you. Which should rulemy head or my heart?

WOMENS MONOLOGUES SUE ANN: (by the grave) Oh, Tom. I dont want to go on Tom, can you hear me? If the Lord would only see fit to turn you lose from Heaven long enough to let you come back and sit by my bed(holding her rounding belly) just long enough to see me through, Tom. I dont recon as how I can make it alone, Tom. Oh, God, Tom, I need youI need my husband! PENNYLOPE: No, Mag, we didnt let her die. We been a-workin and a settin over her fer three day now. Thar warnt no us to a hung on Sue Ann. I knew it all along. She warnt happy no more, honey. She was jest a shell awalkin around. She warnt a-livin. She was dead, honey dead in her heart. MRS. CUTSHAW: (Pointing her finger at closed door) He lays in younder room, Mrs. Tolletta dyin. They sent him home to die. Reckon everybody knows that. (Beat.) Tell him you fergive him. (Speaking softly to John) John John. Do you hear me son?... Miz Tolletts come to see youto fergive you, son, so that you can be in peace agin. (She looks anxiously to MAG for reassurance.) Hes a dying, Miz Tollett. My boy is dyin. MAG: Hit shore plain that preacher is a workin on you, child. Ever sist you been a-seein him, youve quit goin to yore pappys grave. I remember last year how you used to go out to the plot and set wild flowers near the tomb, and how you used to keep the fence neat an straight. You dont do them things no more. It makes me feel bad fer yore pappy. You jes plumb fergittin him. (Calling after Dilsie who has run off) An how come you stopped talkin again them murderin Cutshaws? MUSICIANS Please be prepared to play Rock of Ages. Tabs for harmonica and guitar and sheet music are below for your reference. (Please speak to Mr. Goldberg if you would like to be the band leader.) HARMONICA

GUITAR

SHEET MUSIC

FEATURED DANCERS Please attend the movement audition on Friday, September 9th at 5:00pm. (Please speak to Ms. Sporn if you are interested in a role that features movement or a featured dance role. In addition, please note if you would like to be a dance captain.)

AUDITION FORM for the Little Theater Players production of

Ark of Safety
Email

by Howard Richardson and Frances Goforth based on Tall Tales from Old Smokey by C. Hodge Mathes
Name ____________________________ Homeroom ________________ Homeroom ________________ Grade (check one) Number Teacher _____________________________ Home ______________________ Cell ________________________ T-shirt ________________________ size Phone Phone

9 10 11

12

Were you part of the cast and/or crew of any Little Theater Players productions?__ If so, list the shows in the space below. In which role(s) are you interested? ________________________________________ Will you accept any role in Ark of Safety? ____________________________________ List any special skills (especially dancing, gymnastics, stage combat, martial arts, singing or playing an instrument) that may add to the production. In order to help create a rehearsal schedule, please list any major activities in which you are involved in this semester (i.e. sports and marching band). Students are expected to be at all scheduled rehearsals. Mrs. Buckley will contact students and parents by email regarding cancellations due to weather or other emergencies. Students who will miss or be late for rehearsals due to illness or emergency circumstances must contact Mrs. Buckley via email (LittleTheaterPlayers@gmail.com) and/or the Stage Manager, Nikki Zaidan, via phone (201-264-8733). Students

with excessive lateness and/or absenteeism may be recast or asked to leave the production. Students must have scripts and pencils at all rehearsals. Footwear and makeup will be provided by the students. In addition, costume pieces and properties may be supplied by students. Parents/guardians must arrange prompt transportation to and from rehearsals and performances. There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, September 29th at 7:00pm in the Little Theater to discuss opportunities for parental involvement in Ark of Safety. For Parents/Guardians Name ___________________________ Email ___________________________ Home Phone _____________________ Cell Phone _______________________

Ark of Safety Tentative Rehearsal Dates & Media Release Review the schedule below with your parents. Please cross out any dates/times when you cannot attend rehearsals. This information will be used to create the rehearsal schedule. A rehearsal calendar will be posted on the Little Theater Players website. Monday
19 3:00 6:00 26 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

Tuesday
20 3:00 6:00 27 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

SEPTEMBER Wednesd Thursda ay y

21 3:00 6:00 28 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 22 3:00 6:00 29 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

Friday
23 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 30 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00

Saturday
24 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00

Monday

Tuesday

OCTOBER Wednesd Thursda ay y

Friday

Saturday
1 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 8 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 15 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 22 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 29 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00

3 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 10 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 17 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 24 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00

4 3:00 6:00 11 3:00 6:00 18 3:00 6:00 25 3:00 6:00

6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

5 3:00 6:00 12 3:00 6:00 19 3:00 6:00 26 3:00 6:00

6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

6 3:00 6:00 13 3:00 6:00 20 3:00 6:00 27 3:00 6:00

6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

7 3:00 6:00 14 3:00 6:00 21 3:00 6:00 28 3:00 6:00

6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00 6:00 9:00

Monday

Tuesday
1 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00

NOVEMBER Wednesd Thursda ay y

2 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 9 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 16 3:00 6:00 3 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 10 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 17 4

Friday
9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 11 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 18

Saturday
5 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 12 9:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 19

7 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 14 3:00 6:00

8 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00 15 3:00 6:00

6:00 9:00 21 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00

6:00 9:00 22 3:00 6:00 6:00 9:00

6:00 9:00

6:00 10:00

6:00 10:00

6:00 10:00

Mandatory rehearsals and performances 11/14 19

(Optional) I have signed Park Ridge Schools Media Release and will allow my childs name and image to be used for purposes of publicity and posterity. __________________________________ Students Signature ___________________________________ Parents Signature