Virtual auditions will be held for the play The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein on Wednesday, March 10, and Thursday, March 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. Links for both sessions are included below.
No preparation is needed and all enrolled HVCC students are very welcome to participate. Auditioners will be asked to read from the script and to provide contact and schedule information. The college’s Technical Theatre Practicum course members will be producing the play.
Some acting roles will be assigned to members of the course so that they may fulfill course requirements, but two cast and two understudy positions are available to students not enrolled in the course. Anyone auditioning will be considered for all roles. Some actors will play more than one character.
Character descriptions and casting assignments are listed below with a summary of the play. Cast members will rehearse via Zoom three times a week for eight weeks (rehearsal schedule will be determined). Virtual performances are scheduled for the second weekend in May. Please contact faculty director Rosanne Raneri at r.raneri@hvcc.edu if you’d like more information on the production or audition process.
A 1989 Pulitzer Prize winner, The Heidi Chronicles follows Heidi Holland from high school in the 1960s through her life and career as a successful art historian during the 70s and 80s. Heidi tries to find her bearings in a rapidly changing world, watching her friends move from the idealism and political radicalism of their college years, through the emerging second wave of feminism, and eventually back to the materialism that they had sought to reject. Heidi comes to accept the fact that liberation can be achieved only if one is true to oneself, with goals that come out of need rather than circumstance or convention. At the end of the play, on her own with her adopted daughter, it is clear that she has begun to find a sense of fulfillment that may elude others. The dynamic relationships and complex identities of Wasserstein’s characters offer deeply poignant, as well as humorous insights into the social conditioning that has influenced identity and personal choices, conditioning that we have slowly but surely been dismantling.
CASTING ASSIGNMENTS & CHARACER DESCRIPTIONS
Heidi Holland (principle) — An art history professor teaching at Columbia University, who advocates greater recognition for women artists. She is dissatisfied with social standards that discourage people from recognizing and achieving their full potential.
Susan Johnston (principle) — Heidi’s outgoing and smart best friend. She is an activist and lawyer, who shifts gears until she’s a corporate executive distanced from her earlier outlook and ambitions.
Peter Patrone (principle) — Meets Heidi at a school dance and they immediately become friends. Though Heidi hoped for a romantic relationship, they stay close when she learns Peter is gay. He is a successful pediatrician, who starts a special hospital unit for children with AIDS.
Scoop Rosenbaum (principle) — A magazine editor and lawyer, who becomes Heidi’s lover. He describes himself as “arrogant, difficult, and smart.” He’s charismatic and likes to grade things.
Jill, Molly McBride (two roles, supporting) — Jill, nurturing, is the leader of a women’s group. Molly, earnest, is Susan’s date at a wedding.
Debbie, Betsy (two roles, supporting) — Debbie helps to lead a feminist arts protest. Betsy, sharp ands outgoing, is a friend attending Lisa’s baby shower.
Lisa Friedlander (supporting) — Scoop’s wife. She is sweetly accommodating and also a smart cookie.
Fran, April Lambert (two roles, supporting) — Fran, strong and gutsy, is a member of the women’s group. April hosts a popular talk show.
Becky, Denise (two roles, supporting) — Becky, innocent, is a member of the women’s group. Denise, attentive, is Lisa’s sister and Susan’s executive assistant.
Chris Boxer, Mark, TV Attendant, Waiter, Ray (five roles, supporting) — Chris is a high school student. Mark is Peter’s date. The TV attendant works with April. THe waiter serves Heidi and Susan lunch. Ray is Peter’s love interest.
Understudies — Understudy actors will be asked to attend some rehearsals to observe and to stand in for absent actors. Understudy cast members will also assume a role if an actor withdraws from the show. Each actor will be assigned to understudy for certain characters (to be determined).
ZOOM AUDITION INFORMATON
Wednesday, March 10, 5 to 8 p.m.
Passcode: 47465939
Link: https://hvcc.zoom.us/j/96624864571?pwd=MUQ2ODRMYlEreElIcE0zUW1USG9Sdz09
Thursday, March 11, 5 to 8 p.m.
Passcode: 12717948
Link: https://hvcc.zoom.us/j/92083013541?pwd=OHUvdEpSZ0FkUWVUd0xvQlB6VjJhQT09
Published: Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:50:10 +0000 by r.raneri