Auditions: Calendar Girls, Allen Contemporary Theatre

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Director - Kathleen Vaught

Stage Manager - Alisha Fowler Borton
Intimacy Director - Claire Fountain


Show description:
When a loved one dies, best friends resolve to raise money for a memorial settee. They manage to persuade four fellow Women's Institute members to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women's charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.

Audition Dates:
Sat, Nov 4 from 2 – 5 pm and Sun, Nov 5 from 2 – 5 pm
(Callbacks as necessary)

Audition Location:
Auditions and rehearsals are held at Allen Contemporary Theatre, 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002

Please be familiar with the script prior to auditioning. Sides will be provided through your sign-up two weeks prior to audition dates.

We are seeking a diverse and inclusive ensemble comprised of 10 women and 4 men. Six of the actors cast will appear in a scene in which they must portray the appearance of nudity onstage (noted in below character description). Actors will have access to options of modesty garments to achieve this illusion. The intimacy director will be present at auditions, throughout the rehearsal process and ready to answer any questions. All actors, production team and crew members will be required to adhere to specific guidelines and protocols to create a safe, effective performance environment.

Rehearsal Schedule:
Sundays through Thursdays, 7-10pm, Dec 10 – Dec 21
Holiday break Dec 22 – Jan 1
Rehearsals resume Tue, Jan 2 until opening Jan 26
NO Conflicts accepted during tech week: Sun, Jan 21 – Thu, Jan 25


Performance Schedule:
Show runs Jan 26 – Feb 11 (Fridays/Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 3)
Possible pick-up or additional shows added Thu, Feb 1 and Thu, Feb 8

Character Descriptions:
Chris (50+) - You want Chris at your party. Chris is at home in crowds, holding court, being the center of attention. Without Chris in her life, Annie would be better behaved, her life less fun. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Annie (50+) - Annie will join in mischief but is at heart more conformist and less confrontational than Chris. She has enough edge to be interesting and enough salt to not be too sweet. Chris saves Annie from being a saint. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Cora (40+) - Cora’s past is the most eclectic, her horizons broadened by having gone to college. She is the joker in the pack but never plays the fool. Her wit is deadpan. Cora must be able to sing well enough to start the show with the hymn, Jerusalem and sing snatches of other songs. Bonus if she can play piano. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Jessie (late 60+) - Get on the right side of Jessie as a teacher and she’ll be the teacher you remember for life. Get on the wrong side and you’ll regret every waking hour. Jessie loves life, her elixir is bravery. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Celia (35+) - A woman more at home in a department store than a church hall. She always feels like she’s drifted in from another world, which she has. She is particularly enamored of Jessie and there is a rebelliousness in Celia to which Jessie responds. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Ruth (40+) - Marie’s right hand woman, Ruth is desperate to be the cartilage in the spine of the club and keep everyone happy. She has a spine herself – if she was too wet no one would want her around. (requires appearance of nudity onstage)

Marie (50+) - Marie has gradually built the current “Marie” around herself over the years as a defense mechanism. She went to her Oz, Cheshire, and found OZ didn’t want her. She came back scorched. The club is a trophy to her, which justifies her existence. There is a lingering part of Marie that would love to be on that calendar.

John (50+) - Annie’s husband, John is a human sunflower, not a saint, not a hero. John is the kind of man you’d want in your car when crossing America. When he dies, it feels like someone, somewhere turned off a light.

Rod (50+) - Chris’ husband. You must be a certain kind of guy to stick with Chris and Rod loves it. He has a deadpan humor which has always made Chris laugh. He drinks a lot but would work every hour to make their shop a success. John was his mate.


The following characters are in two scenes or less:

Lawrence (25+) - Lawrence is the young photographer. He is hesitant without being nerdy, Lawrence is a shy, young man with enough wit to make a joke and enough spirit to turn up at the club in the first place.

Lady Cravenshire (60s) - Lady Cravenshire really doesn’t mean to be so patronizing, but the club girls seem from another world – the world of her estate workers. When she makes an entrance, she must make an entrance.

Elaine (20s) - Young beautician/personal trainer, she is having an affair with Ruth’s husband.

Liam (20s) - Liam would like to be directing other things than photoshoots for washing powders. There’s a resigned patience to his actions and each smile he makes is more professional than genuine.

Guest Speaker (60s) - Stuffy, self-centered.

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