Audition Registration

WIT

Wit
By Maragret Edson

Directed By Rod Oden
(rod@leestreet.org)

Performance Dates:
SPOTLIGHT SERIES SHOW
November 3 - 5, 2022
7:30PM
The NEW "Lee Street LAB" Space

AUDITION DATES
Saturday, September 10 at 1pm
Sunday, September 11 at 1pm

SYNOPSIS
Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to the study of Donne: aggressively probing, intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience.

ROLES

Vivian Bearing, Ph.D. (~35+, Flexible on age of performer, but should be able to play older as necessary) – The play’s main character and narrator. Tough, curious, dry, much on her dignity (until she’s no longer able to be), unrelenting, with a visible thirst for knowledge that has not waned over her years of teaching university students. Not to be bothered with people, until her stint at the hospital for treatment forces her to consider the bigger picture. As her disease and its painful treatment progress, she begins to question the values and standards that have always directed her. She faces the concept of her death with humor and energy, until the very end. **NOTE: This role may require the performer to cut your hair, depending on what we can do.

Harvey Kelekian, M.D. (45+) – Chief of Medical Oncology, responsible for Vivian’s treatment and oversees medical fellows, including Jason Posner. Vivian and Kelekian are like-minded peers who speak different languages. Approachable and at times, fatherly. This actor will also play Vivian’s father, Mr. Bearing.

Jason Posner, M.D. (20’s) – A medical fellow in Dr. Kelekian’s Oncology unit responsible for much of Vivian’s care. Eager, sharp, intellectual, intense, boastful, and confident. Zero bedside manner, and treats Vivian more like a test subject than a human being, not because he isn’t a good person, but because he’d just rather be working in a lab.

Susie Monahan, R.N. (20’s+) – Vivian’s primary care nurse. She is exactly who you would want as a nurse. Though not considered “book smart” she is sweet, compassionate, and nurturing, with a sunny disposition and a wisdom that does not come from books. Susie advises Vivian on difficult medical decisions, simplifying the choices and presenting the humane options in a nonjudgemental way. Susie advocates for compassionate and dignified care for her patient, offering a voice of moderation in a room that overwhelmingly leans to a harsher side.

E.M. Ashford, Ph.D. (Age 60+) – Professor Ashford is Vivian’s college professor and mentor. Though Ashford passed on to Vivian her unrelenting work ethic and thirst for knowledge, she also urged Vivian to find balance in life through personal connection – which she gives to Vivian in her time of need.

Lab Techs, Clinical Fellows, Vivian’s students, Code Team (Age 20-30’s, M & F) – Each actor will play distinct characters from each of the above groups. These are roles that drive the action and represent the impact of aspects of Vivian’s journey, past and present, continually.

Auditions will be held in-person over two days.

Audition Materials are HERE:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ucp5Ly0FRtbqiYdoHzT4AVIAVbRiNSAC?usp=sharing

** PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU ARE A CATAWBA COLLEGE THEATRE ARTS STUDENT WISHING TO AUDITION, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PERFORMANCE RIDER FOR APPROVAL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR AUDITION, PER DEPARTMENTAL POLICY.

Lee Street theatre is a volunteer-based community theatre in Salisbury, NC. We value and support the time and talent of all of our volunteer performers.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!