Basilio – King of Spain.  Obsessed with astrology and legacy.  Nearing the end of his life.  Male, open ethnicity.  (Cast w/MFA Graduate Student, understudy TBD)

Segismundo – Son (and prisoner) of Basilio.  The stars have foretold the destruction he will bring.  Brutish and cunning.  Male, open ethnicity.  (Cast w/M.F.A. Graduate Student, understudy TBD)

Estrella – A princess.  Niece of Basilio, and cousin to Astolfo.  Probably the smartest of the royals.  Wants in on Astolfo’s claim to the throne.  Female, open ethnicity.  (Cast w/M.F.A. Graduate Student, understudy TBD)

Astolfo – The Duke of Warsaw, nephew of Basilio, and next in line for the throne (or so he thinks).  A fop, entirely self-consumed and eternally lustful.  Male, open ethnicity.

Rosaura – A young woman in pursuit of vengeance.  She finds herself pulled into the political machinations of Spain’s royal court.  Ambitious, intelligent, and terrified.  Female, open ethnicity.  (Cast w/M.F.A. Graduate Student, understudy TBD)

Clarin – Rosaura’s “manservant” and faithful companion.  Just trying to survive, and usually does so by cracking a joke.  Often says the wrong thing at the wrong time, so it’s a wonder Clarin’s made it this far.  This character will be played as male-presenting.  Female or non-binary, open ethnicity.

Clotaldo – Advisor to Basilio.  Less concerned with the mystical, and more with the practical.  More of a father to Segismundo than Basilio’s ever been.  He is father to Rosaura, though neither of them knows it yet.  Male, open ethnicity.

Servant – A servant in the royal house, she has witnessed far too much cruelty.  Female or non-binary, open ethnicity.

1^st Soldier – Commander in Segismundo’s rebel army.  Male, open ethnicity.

2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Soldiers – Soldiers in Basilio and Segismundo’s armies.  Male, open ethnicity.

BOWLING FOR BEGINNERS
By Diana Grisanti
Directed by Jenny McKnight 

Do you have what it takes to go all the way? Have you climbed Jacob’s Ladder until your legs turned to mush? Or been haunted by the memory of a 7-10 split? Bowling for Beginners takes you inside the world of collegiate champion female athletes — of dedication and athleticism, of big dreams but small crowds. Strap on your wrist brace, and get ready to strike.

Casting note from the playwright: The stereotype is that bowling is a sport of the white working class. Collegiate bowling, however, attracts athletes from a breadth of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Plus, bowling is popular internationally, so it’s not uncommon for programs to recruit internationally. My point is: multi-racial, color-conscious casting is a must.

SCHEDULE: 

Rehearsals begin January 10  
Monday – Friday, 7:00 – 10:30 
No rehearsal January 17, MLK Day 
Tech begins Feb 24 
Runs in Rep with Uncle Play as part of the At First Sight Festival, Mar 5 - 12

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS: 

Members of the D1 Women’s* Bowling Team: 
Karina – Pure talent, obsessed with stats, intends to go pro. 
Riley – Talented, but has to work hard. Skilled at sarcasm. 
Ellen – Winner of the Canadian Youth Championships, three appearances at the Junior Golds. Also an accomplished trumpet player. Trying to figure out which passion to follow. 
Sarah – Looking for love. Also terrified of finding love. 
Cassidy – A recent transfer to the team. Talented and intense. 
Pearl – A real Team Player, would go to therapy more often if she had the time.  

* Karina, Riley, Ellen, Sarah, and Pearl all identify as cis women. Cassidy identifies as an AFAB nonbinary person. Gender presentations can (and should!) vary.  

The Athletics Department Lady 
Holly de Stefano – ‘a woman in a pantsuit’. Holly is the Vice-Dean of Strategic Creative Communications for the Athletic Department, and the Co-Chair of the NCAA’s Student Impact and Engagement Commission regarding Title IX and Non-Revenue-Generating Sports, and proud of it.  

The Ensemble 
Actor 1 – any gender. Plays Focus Group Member 2, Trumpet Player, Humble Expert, Spokesperson, Anna 
Actor 2 – any gender. Plays Focus Group Member 1, Coach, Oil Machine, Hottie #1, John 
Actor 3 – any gender. Plays Strength Coach, Focus Group Member 3, Oil Machine, Hottie #2, Faculty Member, Football player 
Actor 4 – any gender. Plays Librarian, Baker, Soccer Girl, Smoothie Vendor, Bernice Sandler

FROM THE AUTHORS: Carrie is a poster child for cruel victimization that grows to epidemic proportions. The show should be treated with respect and dignity- her story should be acted with emotional conviction. We are not interested in seeing the show done in a campy or kitschy style. Treating the material seriously, however, doesn’t mean it should be performed without humor, excitement, or fun; on the contrary, it absolutely needs these elements.

OVERALL NOTE: With the exception of three adult characters, our cast consists of high school seniors living through the intense final weeks leading up to Senior Prom and graduation. Notwithstanding that these kids are highly iconic figures in the adolescent landscape, they should also very much be individuals. In terms of casting, gender and ethnicity are open for all roles, although vocal range must be observed. 

KEYWORDS FROM CONCORD THEATRICAL: Betrayal, Christianity, Death, Friendship, Love, Parenting/Family, Religion, Adolescence/Childhood, Women's Experience

SCHEDULE: 

Rehearsals begin February 7  
Tech begins April 1
Performances run April 13-16

CARRIE WHITE: Painfully shy outsider who, in spite of her best efforts to belong, has been a victim of her classmates’ cruel jokes since childhood, as well as her mother’s strict, biblically ordained control at home; transforms from ugly duckling into graceful, and then vengeful, swan; vocally, she must be capable of lyrical sweetness as well as fierce power. Vocal Range G3 to E5.

MARGARET WHITE: Woman of visceral extremes; balances her fervent religious convictions with equally sincere true-believer spirituality and tender, maternal love for Carrie; in the end, she proves to be a religious extremist; like Carrie, with whom she shares several duets, her voice must range from expressive and melodic to ferocious and frightening. Vocal Range: G3 to G5

SUE SNELL: A popular over-achieving student. Her unthinking participation in a cruel act of bullying causes a crisis of conscience that leads her on a complicated emotional and psychological journey to make amends. Smart with just a touch of shrewd edge. The play is told through her memory. Vocally, she has a pop ballad voice that delivers sincerity and strength. Vocal Range: A3 to E5

TOMMY ROSS: A popular star athlete, valedictorian, and all-around stand-out. Yet, he also has unexpected, quirky sensitivity and is just starting to mine his personal life and feelings – a budding poet. His voice should have an effortless pop quality. Vocal Range: B2 to G4

CHRIS HARGENSEN: Rich, spoiled, and dangerous. Serious daddy and anger management issues. Her voice is pop/rock percussive: rangy and powerful. Must be an equally strong dancer. Implied sexual content. Vocal Range: E3 to E5

BILLY NOLAN: A dangerous, trashy, stupid-like-a-fox bad boy beholden to Chris’s bidding. His voice is that of a wailing rocker. Implied sexual content. Vocal Range: B2 to A4

MISS GARDNER: The girls’ no nonsense P.E. teacher. A tough disciplinarian, Carrie also arouses within her a surprising instinct to protect. Warm and powerful pop belt. Vocal Range E3 to Db 5

MR STEPHENS/REVEREND BLISS: This well-intentioned English teacher and guidance counselor struggles to help his students realize their potential. A dedicated educator, he’s stretched thin in his duties, woefully underpaid, and a bit overwhelmed as to how to handle the Billy Nolan’s of the classroom combat zone. Also portrays Reverend Bliss the Radio Evangelist. Vocal range A2 to G4

NORMA: Popular prom committee president who is a friend of both Chris and Sue at the top of the show. Vocal Range: E3 to E5

FREIDA: Sue’s brainy pal, an easy-going, get-along follower and a tireless extracurricular committee volunteer. Vocal Range: E3 to E5

HELEN: Immature, easily shocked, with a strong need to belong. Vocal Range: E3 to E5

GEORGE: Tommy’s friend since childhood. George idolizes him. Perhaps a little too much…Vocal Range: A2 to C5

STOKES: A bit of a nerd, happy to be included in Tommy’s group. Vocal Range: A2 to G4

FREDDY: Wise-cracking class clown and official yearbook photographer. Insecure. Vocal Range: A2 to C5

We will be adding additional Ensemble members to play Chamberlain High School students, Church Choir Members, & Interrogators.