Audition Notice
Auditions for The Heiress by Ruth and Augustus Goetz will be held on Sunday and Monday February 12 and 13 at 7:00 pm at the Historic Capitol Theater, 202 S. Main Street, Waterloo, Illinois. This classic period drama which takes place in New York City of 1850, has roles for seven women (one is a non-speaking role) and three men. Auditions will consist of readings from the script.
Performance dates for The Heiress are April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29.
Rehearsals will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Be prepared to list all your conflicts with rehearsals at audition.
Please do not audition if you are unable to attend all performances and all tech week rehearsals.
The show will be directed by Zona Ludlum; stage manager is Ginger Jones.
The play takes place in the 1850’s in Washington Square, New York in the handsome drawing room of the domineering Dr. Austin Sloper. His only child, the plain, naive and painfully shy Catherine has fallen desperately in love with the handsome and very charming Morris Townsend, a man whom Dr. Sloper suspects to be interested in his daughter because of the large fortune which she will inherit. Dr. Sloper forbids the marriage, and standing up to her father for the first time, Catherine proposes an elopement. But it fails to materialize when Morris learns if Catherine marries him, her father will disinherit her. Years pass, and Morris returns to find that Catherine has become a tower of strength.
Roles: Maria (any age, 20’s preferred)) loyal maid to the Slopers. Irish dialect preferred.
Costumed maid—non speaking role who will function as maid and stage crew.
Dr. Austin Sloper (50’s) An intelligent, proud and highly regarded doctor, who made his fortune after his beautiful and talented wife died in childbirth Though he loves his daughter, he is deeply and openly disappointed that she has never measured up to her mother. An extremely challenging role.
Lavinia Penniman (45-60) The doctor’s highly romantic and sentimental widowed sister, who lives with the doctor and Catherine and is a companion to Catherine and a confidante to Morris. She is a little silly and a lot naive.
Catherine Sloper (25-35) Physically plain and thought by many to be somewhat dull-witted and very shy. She has been adversely affected by her father’s lack of respect. She would be easy prey for a fortune hunter, but might benefit from someone who could love her and bring her out of her shell. Her transformation into a strong independent woman comes at a high cost to her. An extremely challenging role.
Elizabeth Almond (40-45) The doctor’s married sister, mother to Marion, whose intelligence he respects in sharp contrast to his relationship with Lavinia.
Marion Almond (20-25) Catherine’s pretty and vivacious cousin, engaged to be married.
Arthur Townsend (25-35) Marion’s fiancé, a stolid young businessman engaged to Marion.
Morris Townsend (25-35) Handsome and charming suitor says that he would love Catherine and protect her. Though he may be a fortune hunter, this character must leave us wondering if Catherine would be better off with him or without him. (An extremely challenging role.)
Mrs. Montgomery: (35-50) Morris’ sister, a widowed mother of five, who loves her brother despite his flaws. She gains the doctor’s respect because of her simple dignity and honesty. One scene with Dr. Sloper; it's a great scene.
Students under the age of 18 will be required to have a Permission Form signed by a parent or guardian in order to participate. The consent form may be downloaded here.
