[NEohioPAL] AUDITIONS - TRUENORTH COMMISSION SERIES - THE EASTER SEALS STORY

[rick fortney]

Have had some wonderful people come to audition thus far . still looking for
more to audition to complete cast . please call if interested to schedule an
audition.  Thanks!

 

-          Rick Fortney / 440.949.5200 / www.TNCArts.org 

 

 Daddy Allen - The Easter Seals Story 

Written by Richard O'Donnell

 2010 Commissioned Playwright

 

Rick Fortney, Director

 

Performances:  April 29 - May16   

Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday matinees, 3:00 p.m. 

 

TrueNorth at French Creek

French Creek Nature Center

4530 Colorado Avenue (Rt. 611)

Sheffield Village, Ohio  44054

 

440.949.5200

 

www.TNCArts.org

www.metroparks.cc / TrueNorth

 

TrueNorth's 2009 Commissioned Theatre, Freedom's Light, premiered in May
2009, recently won top prize in Ohio Parks and Recreation Association yearly
awards.  Join this new and upcoming theatre as it continues to commission
and premier new works based on Northeast Ohio history.

 

 

 

Your chance to originate a role, and be part of a premiere production based
on Lorain County History.  The Easter Seals, which has touched people
worldwide, began right here in Elyria, Ohio . join us in sharing this story
through the arts!

 

Looking for 7 men / 4 woman / 7 kids + townspeople

 

Rehearsals to begin w/ read-through March 16th 

 

Cast of Characters: 

Jimmy-the play's narrator, a ten-year-old crippled child, who also plays a
small role in the action of the play. 

 

Edgar "Daddy" Allen-founder of the Easter Seals, a prosperous businessman.
Should be played by a very expressive actor who is a good dancer. Daddy
Allen is very joyful in the first act of the play, and he becomes very
sorrowful after the accident that occurs at the end of act one. The rest of
the play will be about Daddy Allen reclaiming his joyfulness.

 

Blanche Allen-Daddy Allen's wife.

 

Homer Allen-their son, a young man of promise, who dreams of making his
mark. He dies in the accident. A relatively small but important role. 

 

Catherine Harris-Homer's girlfriend, who later becomes a nurse at the Gates
Hospital for 

Crippled Children, and whom Daddy Allen befriends and helps after the
accident. 

 

Edward O'Donnell-owner o the Elyria Bazaar. Daddy Allen's friend. Dies in
train-car accident at the end of act one. 

 

Margaret O'Donnell-His daughter, who also dies in accident. A minor role. 

 

Jackie O'Shea-a boy who was with Homer, Catherine, and Margaret during the
accident, who Homer pushes from the train. He grows up to become a doctor
who works for the Easter Seals. He and Catherine reconnect at the Hospital
for Crippled Children, and they get married. 

 

Dr. Tyson-the town's doctor, who becomes a doctor at the hospital for
crippled children in the second act.  

 

Rev. Sala-the town's reverend, whose wife and son are killed in the
accident. A small role. 

 

Mr. Jones-a townsperson. A small role.

 

Ada Stephenson-a townsperson. A small role. 

 

Boy-alerts townspeople that an accident has occurred; a small role.  Can
perhaps be played by the same actor who plays Homer, in a different costume.


 

Mike, Harold, and Sara: crippled children in hospital, whom Kitty attends
to. These same children can be used during Jimmy's first soliloquy.  Small
roles. 

 

Senator Banks-a senator who introduces legislation providing government
support to the Society for Crippled Children. A small role. Can perhaps be
played by the same actor who plays 

Edward O'Donnell or Mr. Jones.

 

Extras-Timekeeper, passengers on train, audiences at various events
throughout.     

 




SCENES:

ACT ONE

 

SCENE ONE-opens with Jimmy monologue-picnic-Margaret, Homer and Catherine
talk about the future.  Daddy Allen and Mrs. Allen talk briefly with the
kids. Jackie enters and tells others about three legged race.

 

SCENE TWO-picnic-Daddy Allen and other men play horseshoes; Homer,
Catherine, Jackie and Margie tie in the three-legged race.

 

SCENE THREE-the accident on the interurban train; Homer, Margie, Mr.
O'Donnell and others die. 

 

SCENE FOUR-picnic-Daddy Allen receives reward; they find out about accident;
closes with Jimmy monologue. 

 

ACT TWO

 

SCENE ONE-Daddy Allen and Blanche in the kitchen of the Allen house. They
talk about Homer, as well as about Daddy Allen's dancing shoes. 

 

SCENE TWO-Homer's funeral. Daddy announces that he's selling his company. 

 

SCENE THREE-The second dance. Scene begins with Jimmy monologue. 

 

SCENE FOUR-Catherine's (will soon be Jinny) house. Daddy convinces her to
come to new hospital for treatment.  

 

SCENE FIVE-Catherine in hospital; Daddy Allen has epiphany moment with
regards to hospital for crippled children; Jimmy monologue, which
encompasses ten years of the story. 

 

ACT THREE

 

SCENE ONE-Gates hospital; Catherine is a nurse; Jimmy makes his first
appearance as a character; Jackie's return. 

 

SCENE TWO-Allen house; Jimmy and Daddy Allen return from park and talk to
Dr. Tyson and Mrs. Allen, mostly about an important meeting; Daddy Allen
agrees to retire. 

 

SCENE THREE-Daddy Allen and Jackie meet with Senator Banks; Daddy begins to
hand the reigns over to Jackie.  

 

SCENE FOUR-the third dance; Jackie has taken over for Daddy Allen; Jackie
and Catherine announce that they're getting married; Daddy Allen dances with
Blanche. 

 

EASTER SEALS TIMELINE

May 30, 1907 - Two streetcars collide in downtown Elyria leaving nine dead
and more injured including two that would be crippled for life. 

October 30, 1908 - Elyria Memorial Hospital opens with 36 beds under the
guidance of a board of trustees which includes Daddy Allen.

April 15, 1915- Gates Hospital for Crippled Children is opened in Elyria,
Ohio with fundraising efforts by Daddy Allen. 

1919 - Daddy Allen and the Rotary Clubs of Ohio met and formed the Ohio
Society for Crippled Children. 

1921 - The National Society for Crippled Children was formed and Allen was
elected the first president.

1922- The need is quickly seen and the society becomes the International
Society for Crippled Children.

1934- In the spring, the organization launches its first Easter "seals"
fundraising campaign. The seal was designed by Cleveland Plain Dealer
cartoonist J.H. Donahey and were placed on envelopes and letters by donors.

1952- The lily was officially incorporated as the logo for the organization
because of its association with resurrection and new life. 

1967- The Easter "seal" was so well recognized, the organization formally
adopted the name "Easter Seals."

2010- Easter Seals now offers services and support through a network of more
than 550 sites in the U.S. and through Ability First Australia. Services
include medical rehabilitation, employment and training, children's
services, adult and senior services, and camping and recreation. 

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