AUDITION NOTICE: Steel Magnolias
WT is committed to being a diverse and open organisation. Auditions are open to anyone, regardless of background or experience, and we particularly welcome those who have been traditionally under-represented in theatre.
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling is a hysterical, heart-warming, iconic play. Set in the fictional north-western Louisiana parish of Chinquapin, the play follows the trials and tribulations of six fierce and sassy women as they set the world to rights in their small-town, bustling beauty salon.
The characters use humour and light-hearted conversations, expressed in their “wonderful Louisiana vernacular“ to cope with the seriousness of the underlying situations.
The plot covers events over three years relating to Shelby’s Type 1 diabetes, and with how the women cope with their conflicts, while remaining friends: Shelby’s decision to have a child despite jeopardising her health; Clairee’s friendship with the curmudgeon Ouiser; Annelle’s transformation from a shy, anxious newcomer in town to a good-time girl then repentant revival-tent Christian; and Truvy’s relationships with the men in her family. Although the main storyline involves Shelby, her mother M’Lynn, and Shelby’s medical battles, the group’s underlying friendship is prominent throughout.
The women in this play are witty, intelligent and above all, real characters.
Characters
| Truvy Jones | 40-year-old owner of a small town beauty shop. She knows everyone’s business and shares it with anyone who will listen. Southern Belle. She always has ad- vice for you, and it often comes in the form of country sayings. |
| Annelle Dupuy-Desoto | Very shy twenty-year-old hairdresser. She goes from a very soft-spoken per- son to a bible-loving Christian with her heart on her sleeve. |
| M’Lynn Eatenton | 50-year-old mother of Shelby. She is over-protective at times and finds the need to have a firm grasp on the world at all times. She is a busy woman who worries too much for her age. |
| Shelby Eatenton- Latcherie | Roughly 25-year-old diabetic young lady. Prettiest girl in town, and loved by all. She has a weird relationship with her mother, and often rebels just for the sake of rebellion. |
| Clairee Belcher | 60-year-old widow of the former mayor of Chinquapin. She is wealthy and also knows everyone’s business. She is the sarcastic member of the group. She loves to laugh and poke fun at the little things that others cry over. She is very close with Ouiser. |
| Ouiser Bourdeaux | She is the same age as Clairee. She is a wealthy old bitty. She is a loveably miserable lady, though. Her unique personality and sense of humour is a great relief in the serious scenes. She and Clairee are very close. |
Show Information & Auditions
Performance dates are Wednesday 5th to Saturday 15th June 2024.
The Readthrough and Auditions will be held in the Theatre.
Read Through: Sunday 21st January at 6.00pm in the Foyer
Auditions:
Tuesday 30th January at 7.45pm and Wednesday 31st January at 7.45pm in the Foyer.
If you wish to audition but can’t make any of the dates please let me know and I will arrange an alternative time.
Julian Hirst
Director
julestair@gmail.com