Description:

Steel Beam Theatre, the Fox River Valley's premiere, award-winning, professional non-Equity theatre company holds General Auditions for their 19th season on Sunday August 18th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Monday August 29th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. The list of shows and their requirements are below.

The Odd Couple, Female Version by Neil Simon Directed by JoAnn Smith
10/11-11/3/19
Looking for 6 female identifying actors (30s-40s) with great comic timing. The Costazuela brothers have been pre-cast.
Olive Madison: Sport savvy and a bit slobbish/recently divorced/separated
Florence Unger: Very domestic but slightly neurotic. Some minor health hang ups/recently divorced/separated.
Mickey: Female cop and proud of it
Sylvie: Always ready with a wise crack
Renee: Loves to tell stories and gossip
Vera: the youngest, and most naïve of the group.

The Ballad of CC Scrooge #christmasmakeover
adapted by John David Westby Directed by Marge Uhlarik-Boller
11/29-12/29/19
This is an original adaptation of The Christmas Carol set in modern New York City, and given a female-centric twist. We are looking for a diverse cast as follows:
CC Scrooge (50s+ female identifying) a Miranda Priestly, hardnosed, difficult and successful businesswoman whose world is changed overnight
Bobbi Cratchit (30s +female identifying)-CC's assistant, a single mom with 4 kids, a hard worker and good mom.
Other Cast members who'll play a wide variety of roles:
Woman One (20s-60s)
Woman Two (20s-60s)
Man One (20s-60s)
Man Two (20s-60s)
Young actor for Young CC and others (age 12+)
Young actor for Tiny Tina and others (age 12+)

Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Directed by Douglas Orlyk
1/10-2/2/20
This is a play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and memory covering all the important subjects - mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses, and why we only wear black.We are casting six to nine female identifying actors of various ages playing a variety of roles.
Women of all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities are welcome.

20th Century Blues By Susan Miller, Directed by Larry Boller
2/21-3/15/20
Four women meet once a year to have their pictures taken in a ritual that chronicles their changing (and aging) selves as they navigate through love, careers, children and the complications of history.
4 actors needed: 3F and 1M (2 precast)
Mac - Female identifying, African American woman 55-70. A journalist; witty and sharp.
Sil - Female identifying, age 55-70, real estate agent concerned about her professional image.
Bess - Female identifying, woman 55-70 able to play modern, bright 91-yr-old in early stages of dementia
Simon - Male identifying, age 25-35, likable son to Danny. He's an opinionated cable news journalist.

Two roles tentatively precast:
Danny - Female identifying, age 55-70. Divorced mother to a grown son and well known professional photographer.
Gabby - Female identifying, age 55-70, a dedicated veterinarian with her own practice. Does not do well with conflict among the group.

Quilters, Book by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek; Music and Lyrics by Barbara Damashek Directed by Bernie Weiler, Musical Direction by Bob Krez
4/3-4/26/20
The story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters, Quilters blends a series of interrelated scenes into a rich mosaic which captures the sweep and beauty, the terror and joy, the harsh challenge and abiding rewards of frontier life. This is an ensemble piece. The 7 female identifying actors in the show play multiple roles, ages, and genders. The piece includes songs, monologues and scenes taken from interviews with women who settled frontier lands in the late 1800s. All vocal ranges available. Must be able to sing in parts and be good with harmonies. Strong character actors desired. Those auditioning for Quilters should prepare a 16-32 bar acapella piece for generals.

And a Nightingale Sang by C.P.Taylor, Directed by Annie Slivinski
5/22-6/14/20
3F, 4M All characters speak with a British (Newcastle) dialect
Open to all ethnicities.
Helen Scott: Female-identifying, 30's. Slight limp. Intelligent, wry.
Joyce Scott: Female-identifying, 20's. Helen's sister. Impetuous, feisty. Dance experience is a plus.
George: Male-identifying, 50's. Helen's father. Must be able to sing. Piano experience is a plus.
Peggy (Mam): Female-identifying, 50's. Helen's mother. Religious, superstitious. Fierce
Andie: Male-identifying, 70's. Helen's grandfather. Peggy's father. Fun-loving
Eric: Male-identifying, 20's. Joyce's suitor then husband. A soldier. Also, impetuous and bold. Dance experience a plus.
Norman: Male-identifying, 30's. Helen's suitor. A soldier. Charming but lacks self-confidence.

Material To Prepare:
Two 2-minute contrasting monologues and a 16-32 bar acapella song excerpt, if auditioning for Quilters.