Audition Notice

Cleveland Play House Theatre Academy is holding auditions for a production of Getting Near to Baby by Y York.

 

Synopsis:  Twelve-year-old Willa Jo Dean and 7-year-old Little Sister Dean are reeling from the death of their baby sister, Baby. Little Sister's torment is so profound that she has stopped talking. The girls have come to stay with Aunt Patty so that their mom can recover, but Aunt Patty is unused to the messy human ways of little girls and finds Little Sister's silence intolerable. Aunt Patty's rules and regulations finally drive the sisters to the roof, where they hope to escape her laws while at the same time getting nearer to their departed baby sister.  

 

Auditions will be held at our Education & Administrative Offices at 1901 East 13th St., Cleveland, OH. Please take the elevator to the 5th floor and follow the signs. 

 

Auditions: Sunday, October 20 at 1:00 PM. No preparation necessary. Actors will read sides from the play for the audition. Register and participate in a fall or spring Academy course and audition for our fully-produced intergenerational CPH Theatre Academy production in the Helen Theatre. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/7KQGM5QUGrUdsu9e7

 

Rehearsals: (select days, based on cast availability)

January 6 – February 1

Tech Rehearsals:
February 2–6
Additional rehearsals may be scheduled for cast/potential understudies.

 

Performances:
February 7 & 14 / 7:30pm
February 8 & 14 / 2:30 & 7:30pm
February 9 / 2:30pm

All performances will take place in the Helen Lab Theatre at Cleveland Play House.

 

Please note, this is an educational production through CPH Theatre Academy; we cannot offer any Equity contracts for this production.

 

Character Descriptions:

Willa Jo (Female, any ethnicity; early teens, approx. 13 years old)

Temporarily separated from her mother after the death of her youngest sister, Willa Jo takes it upon herself to take care of Little Sister. Although she does not always see eye-to-eye with her Aunt Patty, she always puts the needs of her family above her own.

 

Aunt Patty (Female, any ethnicity; adult)

Takes in her nieces while her sister is grieving the loss of a child. Very particular, she gets frustrated when things aren’t just so, but ultimately wants what she thinks is best for her nieces.

 

Little Sister (Female, any ethnicity; approximately 7)

Willa Jo’s younger sister. She stops speaking after the death of her younger sister, Baby. Although she does not speak, she listens and reacts.

 

Uncle Hob (Male, any ethnicity; adult)

Aunt Patty’s husband. While he sees the good in his wife’s intentions, he understands what his nieces are going through and puts their needs above all else. Warm and easy-going.

 

Liz Fingers (Female, any ethnicity; early teens)

She is the oldest child of a family which lives across the street. Aware of how her family is perceived in the neighborhood, she excited at the prospect of making friends with Willa Jo and Little Sister. Has aspirations to become a model.

 

Isaac Fingers (Male, any ethnicity; approximately 7)

The younger brother of Liz. Candid, imaginative, likes to explore the cave in his backyard. Excited to play with Little Sister and Willa Jo.

 

Lucy Wainwright (Female, any ethnicity; adult)

The owner of a charm school and a socialite, Lucy has sway over the women in town. Keeping up appearances and her status in town is important, even though her family is struggling financially.

 

Cynthia Wainwright (Female, any ethnicity; early teens)

Used to having her own way, she uses her mother’s influence for her own benefit. Keeps up appearances even though her family is struggling financially.

 

Uncle Larry Fingers (Male, any ethnicity; late teens)

Uncle to Liz and Isaac. Vietnam War veteran recently returned home. Despite how others perceive him and his PTSD, he does what he can to contribute to the community. Non-speaking role.