• OUR TOWN

    By Thornton Wilder

    Direction by Nina Lynn, Scenic Design by Anders Jacobson, Lighting Design by Dave Ferguson, Costume Design by Emily Daugherty, Sound Design by Michael Huey

    Performance Dates:
    Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:00pm
    Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7:00pm
    Friday, December 6, 2024 at 5:00pm
    Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 5:00pm

    WHAT IS THE PLAY ABOUT?
    This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet it presents Our Town as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed. Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die. Thornton Wilder's final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally.


    AUDITION INFORMATION

     

    All interested New Trier students are encouraged to audition for Our Town. The audition schedule is:

     

    General Auditions - open to everyone


    Monday, October 7, 2024 from 3:45-6:30 PM in the Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus. (These auditions are for Sophomores, Juniors, and Freshmen not auditioning for Seussical)

     

    Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 3:45-6:30 PM in the Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus. (These are for Seniors and Freshmen auditioning for Seussical. Freshmen will go first to accommodate the Freshmen Mixer at 7pm)

     

    Callback Auditions
    Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 3:45-7:00p in the Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus. (Any Freshmen called back will go before 5:30pm to allow for them to get to Freshmen Go To School Night at 6pm)

    You must also bring a signed conflict form to the audition in order to be cast. Please review the Our Town Production Calendar to complete your conflict form.

     

    WHEN ARE REHEARSALS? 

    Students who accept a role in Our Town commit to our posted rehearsal schedule. Rehearsals begin October 14 and performances are December 4 through 7. Students will also be assigned a date to strike the set on December 9 or 10. 


    Please note:

    • Starting on Monday, November 18, weekday rehearsals extend to 8pm through opening night. 
    • There is a mandatory technical rehearsal on Friday, November 22 and a mandatory Dress Rehearsal on Monday, December 2. Both rehearsals run from 3:34 to 8pm. Please arrange holiday travel with these dates and possible weather delays in mind.  
    • We do not rehearse on Sundays or from November 23 to December 1.

    Please see this Our Town Production Calendar for more information. 


    HOW DO I AUDITION?      

    1. Complete the Parent/Guardian Consent/Conflict Form
    2. Complete the AUDITION FORM. Form will close at 12pm on October 8. 
    3. Read How to Audition for a New Trier Production from the Performing Arts webpage and this information in the packet carefully.  
    4. Memorize and prepare a monologue from this packet or a one-minute piece that you already know. See the “What about the monologue” section for additional information. 
    5. Come to the audition about 15 minutes before your appointment. We will check you in and you will present your monologue for the directors.


    WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE AUDITIONS?      

    Wear clothes that you can move in and make you look and feel good. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Do not wear costumes but you may want to consider that all audition monologue and Our Town characters are adults. Be prepared to move. In this show, students will wear character shoes or hard-soled dress shoes. Always avoid jeans, Uggs, flip-flops, or any shoes that make it difficult for you to move. 

    WHEN DOES THE CALLBACK LIST?

    The callback list will be emailed by 9pm on Tuesday, October 8. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, October 9 from 3:45 to 6:30 in the Hayes-McCausland Theatre at the Winnetka Campus. Students will perform scenes from the play at the callbacks. This is an opportunity to show that they have read the play, have made strong vocal and physical choices for each of the characters, and are able to respond effectively to their scene partners.

     

    WHEN DOES THE CAST LIST GO UP?

    Cast lists will be emailed on or before 6pm on Sunday, October 13, 2024

     

    PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING

    Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Hayes-McCausland Theatre, Winnetka Campus

     

    CREW APPRENTICESHIP

    All performers are required to fulfill the Crew Apprenticeship Program within one year after being cast in their first production. Students who are currently enrolled in Theatre 1 and Technical Theatre and Design or completed a full year of either course in the 2022-23 school year fulfilled their CAP in class. Please visit www.ntstagecrew.org for more information. Students who audition but are not cast in the Winter Play may still join the Second Quarter Crew Apprenticeship Program. See https://www.ntstagecrew.org/about for more information and to sign up for Second Quarter Crew.

     

    WHAT IF I'M NOT CAST BUT I STILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED? 

    Stage Crew is a great way to get involved with the productions. All crews are open to anyone interested, and they are a lot of fun - no prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining the crew, please contact Mr. Jacobson (jacobson@nths.net). Looking ahead, auditions for the next productions are in early January. More information will be posted in December.

     

    Please see more information on No Questions Asked Improv or upcoming auditions for Freshman-Sophomore Play, Directing Projects and Spring Play.

     

     WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?  

    If you have any questions or concerns about the play, contact Ms. Lynn (012C Winnetka), 847-784-6888, LynnN@nths.net 


    WHAT ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE?      

    Pick one of the linked monologues or one of your own choosing for your audition.  All selections should be memorized.  Monologues are not taken from Our Town  but were chosen from plays with similar language, styles, or characters. You may perform any of the monologues. Change pronouns and names as needed. After you perform your monologue, you may be asked to start it again with a different intention or focus. It’s not because your first interpretation was wrong. Instead, the director is interested in learning more about your range as a performer and how you respond to direction. Think of it as a mini callback. 


    Please read     Our Town before your audition as we will use scenes from the play in callbacks.  Copies are available in the “files” section of the Thespian Advocacy course on Canvas. If you need access to the course, contact Ms. Lynn (LynnN@nths.net). You will audition in front of the director and the student directors.  You will not perform in front of other auditioners until the callbacks.


    WHAT’S THE PLAY ABOUT?

    Our Town is specifically about the lives of the people of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. On a more global level, it’s about how the human life experience is essentially the same for everyone lucky enough to be paying attention.

     

    CHARACTERS

    Some of these roles may be combined and can be played by a male or female.

    Stage Manager – The narrator of the play as well as several characters within it

    Dr. Gibbs – The town doctor, father of George and Rebecca

    Mrs. Gibbs – Married to the town doctor, mother of George and Rebecca

    Mrs. Webb – Married to the town newspaper editor, mother of Emily and Wally

    George Gibbs – The boy next door, dreams of being a farmer

    Rebecca Gibbs – His younger sister

    Emily Webb – The girl next door, the smartest girl in school

    Wally Webb – Her younger brother

    Professor Willard – An expert on the Grover’s Corner area

    Mr. Webb – The town’s newspaper editor, father of Emily and Wally

    Simon Stimson – The church choir director, struggles with addiction

    Mrs. Soames – A town busy body

    Constable Warren – The town policeman

    People of the Town, Members of the Audience, Howie Newsome, Joe Stoddard, Joe Crowell, Si Crowell, Sam Craig, and Others