The Thanksgiving Play
By Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation)
Directed by Robert Leff
Open Auditions: October 25-26 7pm (Callbacks Oct 27) Majestic Theatre Auditorium
Rehearsal Timeframe: Three nights a week beginning Nov. 1. Schedule set after casting
Evening Performances (7:30pm): November 27
Matinee Performances (2:30pm): November 28
Content Label: Appropriate Audiences (Violence / Sexual Content)
The Majestic Theatre (a division of the City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation department) is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a safe place for actors of all backgrounds to explore their craft. We are particularly eager to work with artists of color and other artists from marginalized communities. All auditions are free and open to the public. This audition is for an amateur, volunteer production. The Majestic Theatre staff and volunteers do not discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race, gender, ethnic background, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any protected class.
The Majestic Theatre COVID-19 risk mitigation policies will be in place for all auditions, rehearsals, and performances. For more information, go to majestic.org/covid-precautions
Auditions will be held in person at the Majestic Theatre. All participants will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test from within the previous 48 hours before being allowed to enter. Please download and fill out our audition form located at tinyurl.com/MTAuditionForm and bring it with you to the audition. If you can’t, forms will be available at the audition.
A headshot will be requested to be posted with the cast list.
SHOW TYPE
Majestic Readers’ Theatre Company. This show will be rehearsed and performed in-person. Cast, crew, and audience members age twelve and over and will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results to participate or attend. If you would like additional information on our COVID-19 protocols, please contact Theatre Supervisor Jimbo Ivy at jimbo.ivy@corvallisoregon.gov.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
A group of well-intentioned white teaching artists scramble to create an ambitious “woke” Thanksgiving pageant for a school tour. Despite their eager efforts to put on the most culturally sensitive show possible, it quickly becomes clear that even those with good intents can be undone by their own blind spots.
FROM THE DIRECTOR Robert Leff
This wickedly comic satire is one of the most produced plays in this country. It is a play for NOW! The characters remind me of myself, people in theatre chat rooms, at the Majestic Theatre and in Corvallis. The script calls for four actors who are willing to be silly and foolish. The Thanksgiving Play is the first play by an Indigenous playwright produced at the Majestic. The rehearsal and performance process will include Thanksgiving week, but we will not be rehearsing on Thanksgiving Day.
PREPARATION NOTES
Example: You do NOT need to prepare a monologue or piece. Wear comfortable clothes to audition; be ready to move as part of your audition. Some singing required for all parts. They sing 12 Days of Christmas, Home on the Range and My Country ’Tis of Thee. For more information, contact Robert Leff at docral@proaxis.com
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
LOGAN
Character Age: Over 21
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Any
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/Movement: There is physical comedy in the play which may involve crawling on the floor, jumping, hugging another actor, climbing on another actor. Note: The safety and comfort of the actors will be the top priority in working out the comic business.
Character Description: The high school drama teacher that’s always pushing the envelope in a potentially inappropriate way. Earnest about theatre and proving herself. Appears in all eight scenes.
JAXTON
Character Age: Over 21
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Any
Desired Actor Gender: Male presenting
Ability/movement: There is physical comedy in the play which may involve crawling on the floor, jumping, hugging another actor, climbing on another actor. Note: The safety and comfort of the actors will be the top priority in working out the comic business.
Vocal Range: Carry a tune.
Character: Yoga practitioner/actor. Politically correct to a fault, a big one. He’s that confident guy everyone loves, but his logical PC thinking takes weird turns. Appears in all eight scenes.
ALICIA
Character Age :Over 21
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Any
Desired Actor Gender: Female presenting
Ability/movement: There is physical comedy in the play which may involve crawling on the floor, jumping, hugging another actor, climbing
on another actor. Note: The safety and comfort of the actors will be the top priority in working out the comic business.
Vocal Range: Carry a tune.
Character: Without guile. Assertive and confident. Appears in all eight scenes.
CADEN
Character Age: Over 21
Character Race: White
Character Ethnicity: Any
Desired Actor Gender: Male presenting
Ability/movement: There is physical comedy in the play which may involve crawling on the floor, jumping, hugging another actor, climbing on another actor. Note: The safety and comfort of the actors will be the top priority in working out the comic business.
Character: The academic. Awkward elementary school history teacher with dramatic aspirations but no experience Appears in all eight scenes.