AUDITION NOTICE!
WE HAVE A CAST!
Click on image below for more. . . .
THESE SHINING LIVES
By Melanie Marnich
Directed by Anne Harper
Producers: Nick Munaretto
ON STAGE: February 27 to March 21, 2026
(Non-union, non-paying. We are unable to cast Equity or ACTRA members.)
AUDITIONS will be held in person at the Village Playhouse, 2190E Bloor Street West (one block east of the Runnymede subway station) on the following dates and times:
• Tuesday, December 2 (7 to 10 pm)
• Thursday, December 4 (7 to 10 pm)
• Saturday, December 6 (11 am to 5 pm}
• CALLBACKS will be at the theatre on Monday, December 8 in the evening.
ALL REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES will take place at the VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE.
First read through is scheduled for Sunday January 4 at 1 pm. Rehearsals will start on Tuesday, January 6, and will be typically held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (7 pm to 10 pm) and Sunday (1 pm to 4 pm) but can be flexible depending on actor availability.
Actors must be available for all of Tech Sunday, February 22 and for Tech week rehearsals Monday through Thursday, February 23 to 26, and for all performances:
- Friday, February 27 – Saturday (matinée), February 28
- Wednesday, March 4 – Sunday (matinée), March 8
- Thursday, March 12 – Sunday (matinée), March 15
- Thursday, March 19 – Saturday, March 21
- Actors are also expected to stay for a short wine & cheese reception with patrons after Opening Night (Friday, February 27) and the short Audience Talkback after the show on Thursday, March 19.
THE PLAY:
It is based on the true story of women who worked for the Radium Dial Company in the 1920s/30s – a watch factory based in Illinois. The play showcases the danger women faced in this workplace and highlights the wider lack of concern companies had for protecting the health of their employees. You might want to check out information about the Radium girls.
For more information about THESE SHINING LIVES click on the name of the play.
CHARACTERS:
All the women and men are early to late twenties, or read that way. Mr. Reed could be older. The women are initially vivacious, lively and spirited. Actors need to lose that energy as they become sick. But they never lose their spirit. They are not ‘victims’ and are never sentimental, nor weak. These are working class women with aspirations for a better life.
- Catharine Donohue. Wife, mother, plays herself and narrates.
- Frances O’Connell. Moral backbone of the group. Also plays Reporter 2 and an Official.
- Charlotte Purcell. Tough, outspoken and loves to be outrageous. Also plays Reporter 1.
- Pearl Payne. Always Easy going and chatty. Ready with a joke. Also plays Daughter and Judge 2.
- Tom Donohue. Husband of Catharine and father. Also plays Dr. Rowntree, and Dr. Dalitsch.
- Mr. Reed. The Supervisor. Also plays Radio Announcer, Company Doctor, Son, Judge and Attorney Leonard Grossman
PREPARATION: Auditionees must prepare and present a dramatic 2 minute piece. You will be asked to demonstrate the Charleston if you are a woman. There will be cold reads from the play. The sides will be from the fun scenes. You are welcome to arrive early to review the sides. The play is available on request, or at the Toronto Public Library.
TO BOOK AN AUDITION: Please email a copy of your headshot and resume to villageplayersauditions@gmail.com with your preferred date, time, interested role(s), and contact information. Once we receive and confirm your details, we will give you a day and time for your audition.
Our local community sponsors are listed on our website. Please support these local businesses, our neighbours, when you can. Don’t forget to tell them you saw the ad on the Village website!
To see a copy of The Village Players Policy for Respect of All Members, click HERE
“If you get a chance to act in a room that somebody else has paid rent for, then you’re given a free chance to practice your craft.”
~ Philip Seymour Hoffman on auditioning
Take that chance – sign up to receive Village Players audition notices. You can get on our list by subscribing HERE.
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