“Heartland Theatre Company is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our casting and production assignments. We encourage an openness to diverse and non-traditional choices.”
WATER BY THE SPOONFUL
Directed by Don LaCasse, Professor Emeritus, School of Theatre and Dance, Illinois State University and Chair and Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre and Dance, Ball State University.
CALLING FOR VIDEO AUDITIONS: NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2022
FIRST READ THROUGH: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19
REHEARSALS BEGIN: FEBRUARY 19
PERFORMANCE DATES: MARCH 30,31 & APRIL 1,2 | 6,7,8 | 13,14,15 – 2023
Water by the Spoonful takes an unflinching look at two seemingly unrelated stories dealing with the consequences of war and addiction. First is Elliot, a wounded Iraqi War vet, struggling to overcome PTSD and the recently unexpected death of the aunt who raised him. Second is a “found family” of recovering drug addicts whose lives interconnect on a chat room for crack addicts. Eventually, playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes brilliantly interweaves the stories in this startlingly honest play that redefines what family means in an increasingly fractured society.
CHARACTERS:
Odessa Ortiz (39-50 years old) Puerto Rican, a.k.a. Haikumom, founder of www.recovertogether.com, works odd janitorial jobs, lives one notch above squalor.
Elliot Ortiz (22-30 years old) Puerto Rican, an Iraq vet with a slight limp, works at Subway Hoagies, scores an occasional job as a model or actor, Yazmin’s cousin, Odessa’s birth son.
Yazmin Ortiz (25-35 years old) Puerto Rican, adjunct professor of music, Odessa’s niece and Elliot’s cousin.
Chutes&Ladders (40-60 years old) African-American, lives in San Diego, has worked a low-level job at the IRS since the Reagan years, his real name is Clayton “Buddy” Wilkie.
Orangutan (25-36 years old) Japanese by birth, a recent community college graduate, her real name is Madeleine Mays and before that Yoshiko Sakai.
FountainHead (33-42 years old) White, a.k.a. John, a computer programmer and entrepreneur, lives on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
A Ghost, also plays Professor Aman, an Arabic professor at Swarthmore; also plays a Policeman in Japan.
No Monologue Available.
AUDITION MATERIAL
- Prepare a 2-minute monologue from any contemporary play (preferably memorized).
OR
- Perform a monologue from Water by the Spoonful. Monologues from the play are linked above on the website.
OR
- Tell a personal story about an event which you personally experienced. Be as detailed about the event as possible. Story should be no more than 2 minutes long.
VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
- Please clearly state your name, telephone number and email.
- In 30 seconds tell us about yourself.
- If you are doing a monologue, state the name of the play that contains your monologue and your character’s name.
- If there is a particular role in Water by the Spoonful you are interested in, please tell us.
- Are you willing to play any role that we consider you appropriate for?
- Perform your monologue or tell your story.
- Please state your name again at the end of the video.
- Send your video to [email protected] with your name in the file name. If you are having trouble sending large files from your gmail account, put the file in your Google Drive and send us the link to the drive in your email to us.
If you have any concerns or questions about the play, please contact one of the following:
Don LaCasse, Director of Water by the Spoonful, 309-830-0223 or [email protected]
Rhys Lovell, Artistic Director of Heartland Theatre Company, 309-824-7432 or [email protected]
THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT
AUDITIONS: MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 & TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 7 – 10 PM
Casting 3 Characters:
Jim Fingal: (age: Twenties to Thirties) Jim is a fresh out of Harvard and works as an intern at an unnamed magazine, He is a newbie and a nerd. His dedication is admirable, but he has no ability to distinguish between which facts that might be important and which might not; therefore he takes to the job with all the fierce resolve of a pit bull clamping down on a chicken leg. Jim is the pious straight man whose notion of truths is both idealistic and unromantic. He is the rare combination of sensitive, persnickety yet still remaining charming.
John D’Agata: (age: forties to fifties) John, who is a talented essayist, pens an excellent article about the suicide of a teenage boy. He represents the chauvinism of the typical male writer who feels entitled to change the rules. Even though he can be a blowhard and bully, his craft still matters. He also has been driven by wounds that a young fact checker like Jim has never felt. John can be arrogant, obnoxious and occasionally boorish but he is dedicated to his craft.
Emily Penrose: (age: Forties to Fifties) Emily is the semi- fearsome editor of the magazine that needs to publish John’s article. She sees publishing in the context of a deteriorating ecosystem of knowledge, with enormous political and societal implications. She is professional, tough minded and fair. Emily acts as the referee therefore she serves as a stand-in for the audience, the owner of the moral dilemma of the play: her distress signifies what happens when you try to have the truth both ways. Emily suggests a blend of Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson, the sparring editor and reporter from “The Front Page.”
READ THROUGH: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
REHEARSALS BEGIN: JANUARY 2, 2023
PERFORMANCES: FEBRUARY 2,3,4 | 9,10,11,12 | 16,17,18 – 2023
10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL: THE WAITING ROOM
AUDITIONS: MONDAY, APRIL 24 & TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 7-10 PM
READ THROUGH: YTBD
PERFORMANCES: JUNE 1,2,3 | 8,9,10,11 | 15,16,17 | 22,23,24 – 2023
Watch this page for announcements of (or changes to) upcoming auditions!
If you are interested in becoming involved with Heartland on stage or behind the scenes, please submit our volunteer form, email [email protected] or call the Heartland Box Office at 309-452-8709.
Audition location: Heartland Theatre Company
1110 Douglas St, Normal IL 61761
Mailing Address: PO Box 1833, Bloomington IL 61702
