Auditions:

Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10 AM to 3 PM at The Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross

Audition Requirements:

Please email producer Steven Price to submit a video audition OR to set up an in-person audition – steve@tessera.bz

Bring a headshot and resume, or email both ahead of time.  Download sides here. 

One short piece of no more than two minutes in length, total. Pieces that demonstrate an understanding of the style and character of Our Town are recommended.

RVP is offering non-union actors $20 per diem to cover travel expenses which typically amounts to $800 -$1000 for the show. For AEA members, RVP is offering the Special Performance contract.

Callbacks:

Monday, September 25, 2023, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1618 5th Avenue, San Rafael. Entrance is on Mission Street. When facing the church on 5th Avenue take the path on the left to Mission Street and turn right. The door is the first door on the right.

Rehearsals:

December 4, 2023 – January 24, 2024
Sunday – Wednesday evenings, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Technical Rehearsals:

Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, 2024
These may be all-day commitments

Dress Rehearsals:

Monday, January 22, 2023 through Wednesday, January 24, 2023

Performances:

Preview, Thursday, January 25, 2024
Friday, January 26 – February 25, 2024
Thursdays – Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm

Synopsis:

In the small, idyllic town of Grover’s Corners, Wilder weaves a tapestry of everyday life, inviting us to reflect on the essence of human existence. Through the young lovers, Emily and George, their strong and loving parents, and the many other Grover’s Corners locals, we’re gently reminded of the importance of appreciating the life we have, and the people with whom we share it.

Characters:

Stage Manager/ Joe Stoddard/Minister:
The Stage Manager is the narrator of the play, who also plays other roles in the play. He guides Emily in her return to the living world.

Joe Stoddard is the town undertaker, who provides background information in the third act.

The Minister begins the wedding scene and comments that everything about a wedding that cannot be represented.

Emily Webb:
The Webb’s intelligent daughter, who grows up during the play, joins the two major families when she marries George Gibbs, and dies later during childbirth.

George Gibbs:
Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs’ sixteen-year-old son, who discovers his love for Emily, marries her in the second act, and grieves for her loss in the third act.

Mr. Webb:
The editor and publisher of the Sentinel, the town’s newspaper, and one of its most important citizens. He lives across from the Gibbs family.

Mrs. Webb:
Charles Webb’s wife, who reveals her character through her conversation with Mrs. Gibbs; she represents the typical mother and housewife

Mr. Gibbs:
The town’s doctor, who is returning from delivering the Goruslawski twins during the first act. He is the father of George and Rebecca Gibbs.

Mrs. Gibbs
Dr. Gibbs’ wife, who represents a typical housewife in the first two acts; in the final act, she is seen as a spirit.

Wally Webb/ Joe Crowell Jr.:
Wally is Emily’s younger brother and one of the spirits in the last act. In Act III, we discover that he died suddenly from a ruptured appendix while on a Boy Scout trip.

Joe is the paper boy in the first act and also during the flashback, when Emily returns to life. A scholar at Massachusetts Tech, he is killed in France during World War I before he can use his education.

Rebecca Gibbs/ Si Crowell:
Rebecca is Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs’ daughter, who is four years younger than George. She realizes that Grover’s Corners is part of New Hampshire, part of America, part of the world, the universe.

Si is Joe’s younger brother, who takes Joe’s job as paper boy in Act II to indicate the passage of time.

Simon Stinson/ Man In Audience:
Simon is the organist of the Congregational Church who is the subject of town gossip because of his alcoholism.

The Man In Audience shouts out questions from the audience.

Mrs. Soames/ Woman in audience:
Mrs. Soames is a local busybody who clucks over Simon’s alcoholism and idealizes George and Emily’s marriage.

The Woman In Audience shouts out questions from the audience.

Professor Willard/Constable Warren/Mr. Carter:
Professor Willard is a faculty member of State University who recites facts about Grover’s Corners.

Constable Warren is the town law enforcement officer, whose duties require him to be sure that doors are locked and that drain pipes are adequate.

Mr. Carter seems uninterested in human affairs.

Howie Newsome/ Sam Craig:
Howie Newsome is the milkman who guides a seventeen-year-old horse named Bessie.

Sam is the son of Julia Gibbs’ sister Carey, he comes back from Buffalo after twelve years’ absence. He provides exposition in the last act.

RVP looks forward to meeting artists of all races/ethnicities, abilities, ages, and genders/gender identities who would like to help create theater at RVP.