Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner ~ Open Auditions October 26, 2019

* OPEN CALL AUDITION NOTICE *

Ottawa Little Theatre
presents

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Written by: Todd Kreidler
Directed by: Brian Cano

Production Dates: February 12 to 29, 2020
Sunday Matinees on February 16 & 23, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.
Note: Preview performances on Friday, ­­­­­­Feb 7 (evening) and Sunday, Feb 9 (matinee)

All actors must be available for all performances.

AUDITION:

DATE: Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Please arrive at 1:00pm in order to fill out your audition card and to receive and study your sides. The onstage readings will commence at 1:30pm sharp.

AUDITION LOCATION: Ottawa Little Theatre
400 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa
(Please use 235 Besserer Street entrance.)

SYNOPSIS

The Draytons are a progressive white couple living in San Francisco in the heady days of 1967.  Their liberal convictions are put to the test when their daughter brings home her fiancé from a whirlwind romance.  He is perfect, a doctor, and an accomplished, published world renowned researcher. He is also black.  The Draytons are faced with the difference between supporting the integration of races and welcoming someone of another colour into your family.  The situation also has to cope with objections from the other side of the racial divide as well.  This is an adaption from the famous film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, which you are encouraged NOT to watch before auditions.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Notes:

• all character ages are stage ages, not the age of the actor
• Due to the nature of the story, the racial backgrounds of the characters are set.

MATILDA (TILLIE) BINKS – 55, black.  Tillie has worked 27 years as a domestic for the Draytons.  She is protective of the family and particularly of Joanne who she has known all her life.  She is has a strong personality but also a clear idea of social conventions and roles.

HILARY ST. GEORGE – 43, white.  She is the Associate Director of the Drayton Gallery. She is stylish and used to operating within the upper echelons of society if only as a facilitator.

CHRISTINA DRAYTON – 64, white.  Runs the Drayton Gallery.  She is warm, gracious with a strong sense of family as well as a progressive outlook on life.

MATT DRAYTON – 67, white.  Publisher of progressive San Francisco newspaper The Guardian.  He is passionate about issues of the day and takes life at an enthusiastic pace despite his wife and doctor’s orders to only work three days a week.

JOANNA DRAYTON – 23, white.  “Joey” recently interned for a medical research hospital in Hawaii.  She has her mother’s and father’s optimism and fierce approach to life which means that she is her own woman but is idealistic to the point of being naive.

DR. JOHN PRENTICE – 37, black.  A medical research Doctor.  He has endured tragedy in the death of his wife and son but has found new life in this relationship. Despite this he is pragmatic and has certain expectations of how to navigate this situation.

MONSIGNOR RYAN – 75, white.  Long time family friend of the Draytons.  He is part philosopher and well versed in world affairs.

JOHN PRENTICE SR. – 63, black.  School teacher.  Proud of John but also has expectations of how his son has to navigate the world.

MARY PRENTICE – 59, black.  Department store clerk.  She is on the quiet side but knows when to assert herself with her headstrong husband and son.