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AUDITION NOTICE
Please read the following information carefully before signing up. Actors must submit an audition form and sign up for a time slot at the bottom of this page to be eligible to audition. We encourage all skill levels, body types, skin colors and gender expressions to audition. This production contains mature subject matter; actors under 18 need written permission from parents to participate.
One Year to Die - ​A World Premiere Drama
​A gripping new play by Charles LaBorde developed in collaboration with Dennis Delamar tells the poignant story of two American women - one black, one white - who await official word regarding their sons’ fates during World War II.
Director: Dennis Delamar
Collaborative Playwright: Charles LaBorde
Auditions
Monday July 29, 2024 6:30 – 9:00
Tuesday July 30, 2024 6:30pm-9:00pm
​Callbacks
Wednesday July 31, 2024 6:30 -9:00
Location
Matthews Playhouse
Matthews Community Center
100 E McDowell Street
Matthews, NC 28105
Performances​​​​​
All actors must be available for all performances.
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Preview: Thursday, September 19th at 7:30pm​​​
Friday, September 20th at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 21st at 7:30pm
Sunday, September 22nd at 2:00pm​​
Friday, September 27th at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 28th at 7:30pm
Sunday, September 29th at 2:00pm
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Held Performances
The following shows could be added at a later time.
Saturday, September 21st at 2:00 pm
Thursday, September 26th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 28th at 2:00pm
Rehearsal Notes
Generally, rehearsals will be Monday -Thursday evenings (6:30pm-9:30 pm) and Sundays afternoons (2:00pm-5:00pm).​​ First cast “meet and greet” will be Monday August 5, 2024.​​ When filling out audition form, please include all your conflicts in August and September during the rehearsal dates. Depending on your role, you will not be called for all rehearsal dates in the early weeks of rehearsal.
Casting Notes
Looking for 1 principal male character and 8 supporting characters (2 adult females, 4 adult males, 2 boys). Two principal female roles are already cast since the play’s early development in 2023. Because a key plot element of the play involves racial interactions and prejudices among Blacks and Whites in the South in 1943-1944, the characters we are looking for are race specific as detailed in the character breakdown list. If cast, actors under the age of 18 will need parent/guardian permission to audition and participate.
Auditions will be cold readings for adult actors, sides given to you at your audition. When auditioning keep in mind accent wise, the play is set in the South, in Louisiana. The boys auditioning will be given an improv assignment to show their comfort and imagination on stage. These roles have no speaking lines, but provide a touching element of the story.
Character Breakdown
Looking for 2 ADULT FEMALES (or female presenting)
NODIE: (30s-70s) Caucasian. Edwina’s neighbor. Nosy, intrusive, gossipy and with the annoying racist attitudes of many White folks in the South during this time period.
SARAH: (30s-70s) Caucasian. Nodie’s “sidekick.” They usually travel and hover as a pair. Also, Edwina’s neighbor. Nosy, intrusive, gossipy and with the annoying racist attitudes of many White folks in the South during this time period.
Looking for 6 MALE characters (or male presenting)
OSCAR (50s-70) Principal role. Caucasian. A Cajun farmer. Two sons away in the Navy during World War II. Hard working, stalwart, usually quiet but can be riled and that Cajun temper shows, no-nonsense kind of fellow, stubborn, appreciates his wife’s hard work, good provider. Catholic.
NAVAL OFFICER (30s-60s) Supporting role. Not race specific. A formally dressed officer on special assignment. Dignified. Compassionate and respectful. Not necessarily Southern.
PRIEST (20s-30s) Supporting role. Caucasian. Young Catholic priest. With compassion and a fresh youth for the pulpit.
MINISTER (30s-60s) Supporting role. African-American. Somewhat older than the priest. With great compassion and wisdom. A pillar of the African-American community in Hessmer,
Louisiana. A great friend to Ella.
SAILOR (18-30) Supporting role. Caucasian. From Louisiana.
BOY (8-11) Supporting role. African-American. No speaking lines. Appears several important times as young Lonnie, Ella’s son fighting overseas.
BOY (8-11) Supporting role. Caucasian. No speaking lines. Appears several important times as young Joe, Edwina and Oscar’s son fighting overseas.
The following roles have already been cast
EDWINA Principal role. (Paula Baldwin) (50s-70) A Caucasian Cajun housewife of a farmer with two sons away in the Navy during World War II. Strong, wise, feisty, spiritual, stubborn, a
prize winning quilter in the small town of Hessmer. Catholic.
ELLA Principal role. (Dr. Corlis Hayes) (50s-70) An African-American widow with her only son also serving in the Navy. Strong, wise, feisty, spiritual, stubborn, also a good quilter. Baptist.
