Audition dates/times:
Monday January 9th - 7:30 - 9:30
Tuesday January 10th - 7:30 - 9:30
Wednesday January 11th - 7:30 - 9:30

Performance dates/times:
April 21, 22, 23 & 28, 29, 30

Rehearsals start:
Wednesday February 1  -  7:30 PM and run Mondays and Wednesday evenings, starting at 7:30 PM

Please bring a headshot/resume to audition, sides will be provided.

For more information, please contact the Director, Kate Lenzo at lenzo.kate@gmail.com.

The Home Workshop Club

An original play by Gregory B. Rudgers

The entire play takes place in The Home Workshop Club meeting room over the span of two meeting nights in 1958 in a small town. Years ago, men returning from the war banded together to share tools when they began to build their houses. Over the years, the club evolved into a social club for men as it appears in the play.

To quote one of the characters in the play, the club has: “men from all walks of life, men who know many things. We’ve got educated men, and working men. Rich men and poor men. We’ve got older, wiser men, and some young men still figuring it all out. We’ve got men who carry great responsibilities, and men who are almost completely free.”

The club has a long history of fun, good times, good food, and of course, a traditional punch. There are tall tales told, good-natured taunting, and small-town legends recounted. Many of the men are affiliated with a local ceramics plant, either as workers in the factory or in office jobs. Others who do not work at the plant are professional men and community residents.

While the brotherhood is the driving force in the work, tension occurs in the membership due to labor difficulties at the plant. A strike is looming, and the possibility sets the membership at odds with union members and professional men taking sides against each other.

Even though the good times and merriment continue, there is an underlying tension in the club that eventually erupts into anger and frustration. When the strike is declared, the acrimony increases. It is left to some of the wisest members to remind the membership why they have the club, and how valuable an institution it is.

One might be tempted to see the play as a metaphor for all types of class struggles, but it would be wise to consider the fact and not dwell on it. These are men, in 1958, who do the things men did in that time. And mostly, they tell stories.

CHARACTERS:

GEORGE. An industrial salesman, gentle spoken gentleman. A martini drinker. Mid 50’s

PAUL. A small town Lawyer. A bit officious, but an ok guy. Early 60’s

MICKEY. A handy man/ little league baseball coach. Know it all, a bit of a loud mouth, but willing to admit it when pressed. Early 40’s

MAX. A welder in the plant. A tough guy but willing to help out. A bit rough around the edges. Sometimes a bit crude. Early 40’s

BILL. A factory worker. Solid individual, agreeable – sometimes to a fault, knows what he knows, doesn’t try to know what he doesn’t. Late 40’s

DON. An engineer. Intelligent, knowledgeable, good sense of humor, and disposition. Mid 40’s.

HOWARD. The Town Clerk- Older, late 60’s. The quintessential clerk.

LYMAN. A cattle farmer. The peacemaker, Gentle wisdom, Salt of the earth type. Mid 40’s.

LYNN. An industrial photographer. Slightly overweight, but wan, dying of cancer, philosophic but not morose. Mid 50’s

MISS JOHNSON. Workshop Club tenant. Old Maid School teacher. Mid 60’s.

MARILYN. Miss Johnson’s gorgeous niece. Late 20’s

All roles, unless otherwise announced, are open. Theatre Box encourages anyone who is interested to audition and is always eager to welcome new faces and fresh talent to its stage.  Theatre Box has a non-discrimination casting policy, open to members of all races, sexes, creeds, orientations, and abilities. We encourage people of diverse backgrounds and abilities to audition for our productions.

Please note that by auditioning, you are obligating yourself to a considerable rehearsal and performance process. Please be certain that you are willing and able to make this commitment.

We strive to make the audition process a positive and comfortable experience for everyone. Our goal is put on a wonderful show for the audience and an enjoyable and fulfilling process for local performers.

Play auditions generally do not require advance preparation, however it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the play and parts that are available to see which character suits you best. Actors may be asked to perform monologues, or may be asked to read from the selected script and to interact with other performers during the audition process, at the discretion of the director. For musicals, you will be asked to bring your own piece of prepared music. Most singers use sheet music, and an accompanist will be provided for you.

If you have one, we recommend providing a resume/CV/headshot at the audition.  You will be given an audition form to fill out as well.

Most auditions will be held openly, however certain directors may require closed auditions for certain productions.

Theatre Box production rehearsals occur Monday and Wednesday evenings, typically from 7:30 - 9:30 PM.  All schedules are subject to change. Some rehearsals may be on weekends. Technical rehearsals are more frequent closer to show dates. The average rehearsal period is eight weeks before the show opens. 

Rehearsal times may vary depending on the time of year. Most rehearsals will run approximately 2 hours. Every effort is made early in the rehearsal process to target specific performers at specific times, to minimize “down time” for performers at rehearsals.