About:

"Our Town," a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Thornton Wilder, explores the lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, through a minimalist approach and the use of a Stage Manager. The play, which focuses on the everyday lives and relationships of two families, the Gibbs and the Webbs, particularly their children, George and Emily, follows the passage of time, from childhood to adulthood and death, highlighting the significance of ordinary moments and the universal human experience.

Act I: Daily Life introduces the town and its residents, including the Gibbs and Webb families, as they go about their daily routines, such as attending school, working, and engaging in small talk. The act culminates with George and Emily's budding romance and a shared sense of growing up.

Act II: Love and Marriage focuses on the marriage of George and Emily, as well as their evolving relationship and the joys and challenges of married life. The act explores the significance of love, family, and community.

Act III: Death and Eternity portrays the cycle of life, including death, with Emily dying in childbirth. The act explores themes of mortality, appreciating life, and the transition to the afterlife.

Themes: Our Town" explores universal themes such as love, family, community, the passage of time, the importance of appreciating ordinary moments, and the significance of life and death.

Roles:

Stage Manager – the all-knowing narrator who may be speaking for the author. The Stage Manger literally sets the stage, describes the action and introduces the actors. Steps in and out of the action as other characters: a minister, a drug store owner, a neighbor lady passing by.

Emily Webb – female. Goes from age 16 to 20. The love story with her and George is the spine of the action of the play. She has the strongest love of life and enthusiasm. Emily’s appears in Act 3 after her death, and she desires to relive everything that was so wonderful, but finally comes to a bittersweet wisdom about the fleeting and ephemeral state of living.

Mr. Charles Webb – male age between 30 and 55 or so. He is highly educated and is the editor and owner of the only local newspaper. Has a strong connection with his daughter.

Mrs. Myrtle Webb – female age between 30 and 55 or so.

Wally Webb – young boy age 11 to 13.

George Gibbs – male. Goes from age 16 to 20, (and is 32 in the final act appearance). He is an idealist and a romantic. The love story with him and Emily is the spine of the action of the play. He strongly and sincerely desires to be the best person he can be for the love of his life.

Dr. Frank Gibbs – male age between 30 and 55 or so. He is a doctor and family man. Romantic and in love with his wife.

Mrs. Julia Gibbs – female age between 30 and 55 or so. Mother of George & Rebecca. Strong love for her family. A romantic who dreams of visiting Paris. Strong connection with her son.

Rebecca Gibbs – young girl age 11 to 13. Has a strong sense of energy and wonder about the world. Amazed at the stars and the earth’s place in the galaxy. Has a strong & important short speech about this at the end of Act 1.

Joe Crowell – male age 14 or so. Delivers the newspapers and sets up important sense of friendliness among the neighbors of the small town. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.

Howie Newsome – male age 14 or so. Delivers the milk, leading the horse and wagon. Sets up important sense of friendliness among the neighbors of the small town. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.

Simon Stimson – adult unspecified age. Leader of the church choir, but has deep problems and a clear drinking problem. Attitude is acerbic, is possibly depressed. Stimson’s drinking is the town’s scandalous gossip.

Constable Warren – adult male, age unspecified. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.

Mrs. Soames – adult female, age unspecified. Sings in the choir and loves to spread gossip. Actor will also play one or two ensemble roles.                  

Preparation:

No advance preparation is required. All will read sides (excerpts) from the play or other materials. Pairing or group readings may also be possible.

You will fill out an information sheet before the audition. Plan to list all conflicts between the audition date and the performance dates.

Rehearsals:

More information will be given at auditions. Expect rehearsals to begin immediately.