Auditions

The Village Players of Fort Thomas is pleased to announce auditions for These Shining Lives the evenings of Sunday, January 12th (6:00pm-9:00pm) and Wednesday, January 15th (7:00pm-9:30pm). Directed by Becky Collins and produced by Nate Huitger.

Location: Village Players of Fort Thomas at 8 North Center for the Arts (in the street-level Judith M. Sarakatsannis Gallery), 8 North Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY, 41075.

Synopsis: These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Catherine and her friends are dying, its true; but theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits—or endanger the lives of those who come after them. Please note there are themes of death and terminal disease.

Please sign up for a time slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4BACA82DA3F49-53858188-these

Audition Requirements: Please bring a headshot and resume. Please bring your scheduled conflicts, please note one or more holidays fall in the rehearsal period; it is helpful to know travel plans early. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. You may be requested to stay past your audition time to read with other auditionees.

Callbacks: More information will be forthcoming following auditions if there’s a need for callbacks; none are planned at this time. If you are not called back it does not mean you are not cast. Each auditionee will be individually contacted by the producer before a cast list is posted.

Rehearsal times: Rehearsals will begin on Monday, March 3 from 7-10pm; Our plan is to rehearse 4 nights a week on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (conflicts dependent) and Thursday until tech week. Due to Easter, technical rehearsals will be split into the weeks of April 13th & April 20th. Please bring your conflicts to audition. Cast members will be asked to assist with build/paint days and post-show clean-up (strike).

Production Dates: Fri, April 25, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Sat, April 26, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Sun, April 27, 2025 at 2:00 pm, Thu, May 1, 2025 at 8:00 pm, Fri, May 2, 2025 at 8:00 pm, and Sat, May 3, 2025 at 8:00 pm.

Character Breakdown: listed ages are stage ages

Catherine Donahue*: (Woman; 20s-30s) The main character, a young, vibrant, and competitive woman who works at the Radium Dial Company. She's a fighter who develops as the story progresses.
Charlotte Purcell: (Woman; 20s-30s) The leader of the Radium Dial group, she's outspoken, tough, and determined.
Frances O'Connell, also plays Reporter: (Woman; 20s-40s) The moral backbone of the group, she's kind, level-headed, and has a keen eye for scandal.
Pearl Payne, also plays Reporter and Daughter: (Woman; 20s-30s) The jokester of the group, she's easy-going, chatty, and sweet. She's also a shameless gossip who notices every symptom of sickness or scandal.
Tom Donahue*: (Man; 20s-30s) Catherine's husband, a steel worker who's very much in love with his wife but conflicted about her work.
Mr. Reed: (Man; 20s-50s) The foreman at the Radium Dial Company who has information about the effects of radium poisoning but doesn't tell his workers.
Dr. Dalitsch also plays Dr. Rowntree & Judge: (Man, flexible age- 20+) ; A doctor in Chicago who diagnoses radium poisoning; Rowntree promotes the perceived value of radium
Leonard Grossman also plays Company Doctor, Radio Announcer and Son (Man, flexible age- 20+): The attorney who agrees to take the case to court.

*Please note Catherine and Tom will share staged kisses during several scenes.

Please contact info@villageplayers.org with any questions or accommodations.