SEEKING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES
1 (Female – 60’s), 4 (Females– late 30’s), 1 (Trans Woman 30’s), 2 (Females late teens ) & 1 (Male late teens). Non-AEA, Stipend Available. Actors of all ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identifications are strongly encouraged to audition. Accent required: General Southern, Texas twang.
AUDITION SIGNUPS (APPOINTMENT REQUIRED)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A5A92FABF58-come
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Inside a five-and-dime store in a small West Texas town, an all-female James Dean fan club reunites in 1975. Through a series of flashbacks, the members reveal secrets dating back to the mid-1950s, when the arrival of a stunning-but-familiar stranger sets off a series of confrontations that shatter their illusions and exposes long held secrets and bitter disappointments.
SOCIAL IMPACT
The play exposes the façades people present in the increasingly judgmental and unforgiving world we live in. It uses the cult of celebrity (James Dean) to mask the shame of abuse, sexism, bullying, breast cancer and gender identification. The story line specifically uses the “shock” of learning their young male friend Joe returns to their reunion as the mysterious visitor “Joanne “. This opens a Pandora’s box of truths for all the characters. While the play is set in 1975, sadly, it takes this heart breaking, yet very comedic story, to shine a light on how little we have changed as a society.
* DIRECTORS NOTE: Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean was originally produced in 1977, with a Broadway premier date in 1982. The time frame of the play is 1975 with flashbacks to 1955. The part of Joanne, a Trans Woman, was played by a non Transgender actress. This is not the way I want to present this show. The role of Joanne was written as a Trans Woman and should be played by a Trans Woman.
IMPORTANT DATES
Playing Dates: Aug 14th, 2020 thru Sep 13th, 2020
Rehearsals (depending on cast conflicts) : Jun 22 – Aug 13
Audition (at theatre) Dates: Jan 26th & 27th 7:30 (Appt. REQUIRED)
Callbacks: Feb 9th 7:30 (invitation ONLY)
COMPANY & AUDITION LOCATION
Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High Street, Alameda, CA 94501
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS
Bring Resume, Headshot & Calendar (Rehearsal / Performance conflicts must be documented). Auditions are by appt. only (in groups of about 6). Cold reading from script. Monologues are not required but will be heard if desired.
CONTACT INFO
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
| Juanita | – | Identified as Female. Plays 60’s. Now the owner of the Five & Dime, Juanita’s late husband started the business in the 1920’s. A righteous, bossy, preachy and judgmental, God-fearing Christian.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Mona | – | Identified as Female. Plays late 30’s. She holds on to the past. Mona is the organizer of the 20 year reunion for the “Disciples of James Dean”. Mona has remained in this small town and changed very little in 20 years, she dresses simply and makes little effort to enhance her appearance. She is the overly protective mother of the male child of the actor James Dean (so she says), who she met while the movie “Giant” was filming in the nearby town of Marfa. She is insecure, quirky and lives in a world entirely created in her own mind. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Mona (THEN) | – | Identified as Female. Plays late teens. Mona (THEN) is Mona 20 years ago. She is a High School student, full of hope. Obsessed with James Dean. She wants to try to make things better for herself. Must look like the actress playing Mona.
Ethnicity: Must be the same as Mona. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Sissy | – | Identified as Female. Plays late 30’s. Flashy dresser with lots of cheap jewelry and make-up. She is brassy, life has always revolved around her, she uses her charm and sexuality to get what she wants. She is a free spirit, hiding a deep secret. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Sissy (THEN) | – | Identified as Female. Plays late teens. Sissy (THEN) is Sissy 20 years ago. Free spirited High School student. Proud of her body, which she uses for popularity. Must look like the actress playing Sissy.
Ethnicity: Must be the same as Sissy. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Joe | – | Identified as Male. Plays late teens. Close friends with Mona (THEN) and Sissy (THEN). Joe is different, bullied all his life he takes comfort in working odd jobs at the Five & Dime and just being “One of the Girls.”
Ethnicity: Must be the same as Joanne. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Joanne | – | Identified as a Trans Woman. Plays late 30’s. Joanne is a surprise visitor at the reunion, she is sophisticated, well dressed and arrives in a sports car. There is something familiar about her, she knows everyone’s secrets. She has come back to put some memories to rest, expose some truths and is the catalyst for everyone to take a fresh look at themselves. Ethnicity: Must be the same as Joe. Accent preferred: Nondescript. |
| Stella May | – | Identified as Female. Plays late 30’s. Has done well in marriage, married money and dresses in the best available (GAUDY TEXAN CHIC). She is loud, boisterous and can be obnoxious. The sad clown, she uses her over-the-top humor and money to hide her real self. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |
| Edna Louise | – | Identified as Female. Plays mid 30’s. Quiet, quirky and insecure, works as a beautician, Edna lives with her husband and children, leads a simple life, and dresses simply. Her whole life she has wanted to be a part of the gang. She is the awkward outsider who has 6 kids and is very pregnant with her 7th. Ethnicity: All Ethnicities. Accent preferred: General Southern, Texas twang |