The Concord Players Announce Auditions for
Directed by Michelle Aguillon
All roles are open and every person is encouraged to audition regardless of ethnicity, race, age, gender/gender non-conformity, body types and abilities. A British accent is not required at auditions, but actors are encouraged to give it their best effort.
The story: set in the 1790s in England, this play centers around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. At a time when a woman’s value and place in society is based upon her husband and his wealth, Elinor and Marianne will either face poverty and the possibility of a loveless marriage. Can they marry to secure their safety and future, and find love, too?
The play is filled with subtly funny moments, tender scenes, and broad, physical comedy. The “Gossips” listed below serve as a Greek chorus/Narrators who move the action along. All actors will be expected to move light set pieces and props throughout the course of the play as it will be part of the storytelling.
Actors are asked to prepare a 1-minute monologue, preferably from a period piece or classic play. Actors have two audition options:
- Provide a video of your performance of the monologue.
- Attend an online live audition with the director on Wed or Thurs, July 21 or 22, @ 7pm. (You'll be asked to schedule a 5-minute appointment.)
If there are callbacks, they will be held on Saturday, July 24 starting at 10am, at 51 Walden St.
Rehearsals will be Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (mostly at 51 Walden St, Concord) beginning the week of August 1, 2021.
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm: November 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 2021; with a matinee at 2pm: Sunday, November 14, 2021.
To sign up for auditions, please complete our online form, below. Before you fill it out, please note the following:
- If you'd like to schedule an online audition appointment, you'll be directed to a SignupGenius form for that purpose.
- If you are planning to submit a video instead, please have the URL (link) for your video on hand.
- If you have your resume and headshot online (e.g., on a Google Drive or on a personal website), please have the URLs for those documents on hand.
- If you'd like to email your documents, the address and subject for that message will be provided in the form.
Any necessary instructions will be repeated in the confirmation email you'll receive when you submit the form.
If you have any questions, send an email to the staff at SenseAndSensibility@concordplayers.org
The roles in the play, and other relevant information, are listed below.
Roles
Note that where multiple roles are listed in a single line, that set of roles will be played by one actor. The cast will also play various party guests, servants, ball guests, and the non-speaking roles of Miss Grey and Jane Williams.
- Elinor Dashwood — older sister to Marianne, she’s “sense”.
- Marianne Dashwood — she is “sensibility”.
- Fanny Dashwood/Lucy Steele/Lady Middleton/Gossip
- Colonel Brandon/Thomas/Lady Middleton/Gossip
- Edward Ferrars/Robert Ferrars/Lady Middleton/Gossip
- Willoughby/John Dashwood/Gossip
- Margaret Dashwood/Mrs. Ferrars/Gossip
- Mrs. Dashwood/Anne Steele/Gossip
- Mrs. Jennings/Gossip
- John Middleton (Sir John)/Doctor/Servant/Gossip
A note about the play’s title and how they pertain to Elinor and Marianne: Elinor is a symbol of sense and Marianne is that of sensibility. Austen’s particular study of sensibility is illustrated in the characters of Marianne, who is the epitome of insensibility near the end of the novel, and in Elinor, who represents sense, with traces of sensibility, who together impart to the observer the need for balance between the two.
Family Breakdowns:
- The Dashwoods: Elinor, Marianne, Mrs. Dashwood, Margaret, their little sister (who sings), their half-brother and his wife, John and Fanny Dashwood, Thomas, their servant.
- The Ferrars: Edward (Elinor’s love interest), Mrs. Ferrars, Robert (Edward’s brother)
- The Middletons: Sir John Middleton, Lady Middleton (his mother-in-law), Mrs. Jennings.
- The Steeles: Lucy and Anne, sisters.
- Also, in the county: Colonel Brandon (in love with Marianne), Willoughby (also in love with Marianne), and the doctor.