From: Beth Dell [mailto:theatre@beowulfalley.org]
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 2:07 AM
Subject: Press Release
Beowulf Alley’s Audition for
A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro
Beowulf Alley Theatre will hold open auditions for A Piece of My Heart by Shirley Lauro at the theatre, 11 South 6th Avenue (Downtown between Broadway and Congress), on March 13, 2010 from noon until 4:30 p.m. Whitney Morton will direct this poignant chronicle of the women of the Vietnam War.
The true stories of six courageous women sent to Vietnam and their struggle to make sense of a war that irrevocably changed them and a nation that shunned them. A work with the music and soul of a tumultuous era in our history, full of shattered expectations,
desperate encounters, and the anguish of the war zone.
A Piece of My Heart has earned The Susan Blackburn Prize (Finalist) as Best English Language Play by a Woman, The Barbara Deming Prize for Women Playwrights, and The Kittredge Foundation Award. The Vietnam Vets of America, Inc. has cited the work as "the most enduring play in the nation on Vietnam."
...Shirley Lauro's … play A PIECE OF MY HEART, is a catharsis as well as a coup de theatre...There have been a number of plays dealing with Vietnam...but none with the direct, emotional impact of Ms. Lauro's work...(she) has turned first hand impressions into a disturbing drama that evokes empathy for survivors as victims. -The New York Times
The audition will consist of a cold reading from the script. No appointment is necessary. Sides will be available at the time of arrival.
Rehearsals begin the week of April 12. Technical rehearsals begin May 20. Performances are
Friday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. - Preview Performance, Saturday, May 29, 7:30 p.m. - Opening Night with Reception, May 30, 2010 1:30 p.m. - Dialogues with… Sunday, following the performance plus Thursdays-Saturdays, June 3 – 5, June 10 – 12, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, June 6 and June 13, 1:30 p.m.
Character descriptions are:
MARTHA: 22, later 42, nurse. Strong, self-composed, aura of self-discipline, military bearing, comes from an army family. Strong face, American, almost pioneer in feeling.
MARYJO: 17, later 37, an entertainer in an all-girl band. Pretty, outgoing, bubbly personality. Texas accent. Sexy, a funny comedienne quality, but sad inside. Must be skillful singer. Guitar-playing ability also preferred. Please prepare a few bars of a song for this character to be sung acapella, with their own backup music on CD, or (ideally!) with their own guitar.
SISSY: 20, later 40, a nurse. Sweet, feminine, outgoing. Sense of fun, also sense of harmony and warmth to personality.
WHITNEY: 21, later 41, a Red Cross girl. Tall, slender, withdrawn, contained, very aristocratic in bearing. A Vassar graduate.
LEEANN: 20-40, a nurse. Asian or possibly Latina, from New York. Attractive, strong, tough, determined, with an urban, hip quality.
STEELE: 35-55, an enlisted intelligence specialist. African-American, extremely strong, military bearing. Very intelligent, outgoing, great sense of humor. A pragmatist, Southern.
THE AMERICAN MEN: 18-60, one man playing various roles. Tall, All-American sort, versatile actor.
Email Whitney Morton at whitney.morton@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
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