LTO to hold auditions for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
Little Theatre of Owatonna announces auditions for the upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize winning drama “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
The play, which helped make Marlon Brando a star both on the stage and screen, is regarded as among the finest plays of the 20th century and considered one of Williams’ greatest achievements. It is presented by Little Theatre of Owatonna through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.
Auditions for the play, directed by Jeffrey Jackson with technical direction by Kristi Westergaard, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10, and Monday, Dec. 11, at Little Theatre of Owatonna, 560 Dunnell Drive in the West Hill Complex in Owatonna. Audition materials will be available at the Owatonna Public Library and the offices of the Owatonna People’s Press, 135 W. Pearl, beginning Friday, Dec. 1. Actors should be prepared to read from the script.
Rehearsals will begin on Jan. 2, 2018, with performances scheduled for Feb. 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.
The play tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a former school teacher and fading Southern belle from Laurel, Mississippi, who shows up at the doorstep of the apartment that her younger sister Stella shares with her husband, the brutish Stanley Kowalski. Because of the way in which she looks down on Stanley and the neighborhood into which he has brought her sister to live, Blanche earns the instant dislike of Stanley. The presence of Blanche, who is penniless and more than willing to live off of Stella and Stanley, causes problems for the couple, who already have a volatile relationship.
The play also features Mitch, who works in the same plant in which Stanley is employed and is a poker and bowling buddy of Stanley. Mitch, who is a kinder and gentler man than Stanley, initially falls for Blanche until Stanley tells Mitch some of sordid history that he has discovered about Blanche.
In addition, there are roles for two other poker-playing buddies of Stanley – Pablo Gonzales and Steve Hubbell, as well as Steve’s wife, Eunice – and several other supporting roles.
There are four major roles (Blanche, Stanley, Stella and Mitch) as well as supporting roles for four men and four women. Actors interested in auditioning should be able to play the characters of the following ages:
• Blanche DuBois – 30 to 35 years old.
• Stanley Kowalski – 30 to 35 years old
• Stella Kowalski – 25 to 30 years old
• Harold Mitchell (Mitch) – 30 to 40 years old
• Eunice Hubbell – 40 to 50 years old
• Steve Hubbell – 40 to 50 years old
• Pablo Gonzales – 30 to 45 years old
• A Young Collector – 17 to 20 years old
• Doctor – 45 to 60 years old
• Nurse – 45 to 60 years old
• Woman 1 – 40 to 60 years old
• Woman 2 – 40 to 60 years old
• There are also a few non-speaking roles.
For additional information, call artistic director Jeffrey Jackson at 475-0172.