The place is Maycomb, Alabama, in the Great Depression years of the 1930s. Wide-eyed Scout Finch is fascinated with the people of her small southern town. When her father Atticus Finch, a well-respected lawyer, mounts a vigorous and compelling case for the defense of Tom Robinson, a poor black man accused of the rape of a young white girl, an idyllic world of childhood is changed forever. Through the drama of the trial and its aftermath comes a searching examination of freedom, justice, honesty, and hypocrisy. A compelling, deeply moving story told with warmth and humor. WTG is proud to bring this classic of modern American literature to life on stage. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the seldom done classic on the WTG stage.
**Please be aware that this play contains both mature content and language.
ABOUT THE AUDITION: Please wear comfortable clothing, and be prepared to perform cold readings from the script and selected pieces. No monologue preparation necessary. Resumes and/or headshots are optional. Rehearsals will begin the week of March 26th and will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the potential of additional rehearsals closer to performances.
Character Breakdown:
Please note that the ages listed just serve as a guide for the characters. Additional ensemble cast needed and newcomers are welcomed and encouraged. Accents are not required. There is potential for double casting with some supporting characters.
Jean Louise “Scout” Finch- (6-8 years of age, the actress can be older) a young girl who is considered smart for her age, and loves to read; she is also a tomboy who spends the majority of her time with her brother Jem and best friend Dill; she is inquisitive, impulsive, emotional, and, by the standards of the day, a true tomboy; she believes in the basic goodness of the people in her community, which is tested as the story unfolds.
Jeremy “Jem” Finch – (11-13 years of age, the actor can be older) Scout’s brother, and a few years older than her. He also idolizes Atticus, but is trying hard to understand him and communicate with him. Jem is brave, curious, has a protective nature and is coming to terms and understanding of the world around him.
Atticus Finch- (late 40s-early 50s)-Quietly impressive, reserved, civilized with a strong moral compass. He’s quietly courageous and without heroics, he does what he considers just. As Scout and Jem’s father and a widower, Atticus has taught his children to have a strong sense of justice and open-mindedness. He is a lawyer in Maycomb and is regarded as a man of integrity and decency who agrees
to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, even though he knows there is little chance of winning the trial.
Calpurnia- (30s-50s) a proud capable black woman who has raised the motherless Scott and Jem. She is a self-educated woman and she’s made quite a good job at it. Her standards are high and her discipline is uncompromising.
Maudie Atkinson- (30s-50s) a neighbor to the Finch family, Maudie is a lovely sensitive woman. She has the wisdom and compassion that suggests the best interests of the South during that time period.
Stephanie Crawford- (30s-40s) is the neighborhood gossip and enjoys it to the hilt. There is an enthusiasm in her talking over the people of her town that makes it almost humorous. She can’t help herself from stirring things up.
Mrs. Dubose- (50s-60s) is an older, ill woman. Walking is difficult for her, and her pain has made her bitter and angry. However, she has a secret.
Arthur “Boo” Radley – (late 20s-early 30s) a pale recluse who hasn’t been outside his house in fifteen years. It takes an extraordinary emergency to bring him out, and once out, he’s uncertain about how to deal with people.
Charles Barker “Dill” Harris- (7-10 years old. Actor can be older) Small, precocious, and wise beyond his years, Dill is neater and better dressed than his friends. There is an undercurrent of sophistication to him, but his laugh is sudden and happy. There is a lack of his own home life, and clings onto the Finch homestead.
Heck Tate-(late 30s-40s) is the town sheriff and a complex man. He does his duty as he sees it, and enforces the law without favor.
Judge Taylor-(late 40s-50s) is a wintry man of the South, who does what he can within the context of his time to see justice done in his court. While he tries to run his court impartially, his sympathy is with Tom Robinson.
Reverend Sykes- (40s) is the black minister of the First Purchase Chruch. He’s an imposing man with a strong presence and voice.
Mayella Ewell- (late teens-early 20s) the oldest daughter of Bob Ewell, she’s desperately lonely and overworked. Her need for any sort of companionship has overwhelmed every other emotion. When backed against a wall, Mayella will lash out bitterly and with much rage.
Bob Ewell- (late 30s-early 40s) a drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb's poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.
Walter Cunningham – (30 to 50s) is a hard-up farmer who shares the prejudices of this time and place but who is nevertheless a man who can be reached as a human being. He also has seeds of leadership and a heart that can be easily changed.
Mr. Gilmer- (40 to 60s) is the public prosecutor who is doing his job in trying to convict Tom Robinson. In many ways his manner is cruel and hurtful. And yet under all this, he too has unexpressed doubts as to Tom’s guilt, and his heart isn’t really in this conviction, but he musters on.
Tom Robinson- (late 20s-early 30s) is black, handsome and vital, but with a left hand crippled by a childhood accident and held against his chest. He’s married to Helen and they have young children. He faces up to a false charge with quiet dignity. There’s an undercurrent in him of kindness, sensitivity and consideration.
Show Dates: June 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10, 2018
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