Geneva English Drama Society (GEDS)
Audition Notes
OUR TOWN
By Thornton Wilder
Director: Colin Paterson
Audition: Monday January 16th: 19h00 - 22h00 at the English Church Hall, Rue du Mont Blanc.
There is no need to prepare any materials beforehand. However, if you would like to read through
the audition scenes prior to the audition, or are unable to audition on January 16th and would
like to arrange a private audition at an earlier date, please contact Colin Paterson at:
[email protected]
Production: May 2– 6 2017, Salle de Manège, Onex.
Rehearals: First read-through and workshop January 28th. No rehearsals in February.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in March and April 2017. Sundays also in April 2017. Easter
Weekend will not feature rehearsals. Not all actors will be required for all rehearsals.
About the Play
This Pulitzer-Prize winning classic presents a portrait of the joys, sorrows and wonders of life in a
small, early 20th century American town. It tells the stories of the residents of Grover’s Corners,
and in particular follows two young neighbours, Emily Webb and George Gibbs, as they grow up,
fall in love, and… well, I reckon you know what must happen next.
First performed at the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey in 1938, Our Town remains one of
Thornton Wilder’s best known and most widely performed works, and is considered one of the
finest American plays ever written.
The Characters
Principals
Stage Manager – The narrator and audience guide to the town.
Emily Webb – The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Webb.
George Gibbs – The son of Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs.
Mr. Charles Webb – Emily’s father and editor of the local paper.
Mrs. Myrtle Webb – Emily’s mother.
Dr. Frank Gibbs – George’s father and town physician.
Mrs. Julia Gibbs – George’s mother, close friend of Mrs. Webb.
GEDS Website: http://www.geds.ch/
Male/Female: Any age
Female: 20s
Male: 20s
Male: 40s-50s
Female: 40s-50s
Male: 40s-50s
Female: 40s-50s
Our Town Audition Notes
Supporting
Those auditioning for a supporting role will likely be asked to play multiple characters
throughout the play.
Joe Crowell – The baseball-loving local paperboy.
Male or female: Young actor
Si Crowell – Joe’s younger brother.
Male or female: Young actor
Simon Stimson – The town choir director.
Male or female: 20s-60s
Howie Newsome – The milkman and a town fixture.
Male: 20s-60s
Constable Warren – The local policeman.
Male or female: 20s-60s
Rebecca Gibbs – George’s younger sister.
Female: Young actor
Wally Webb – Emily’s younger brother.
Male: Young actor
Professor Willard – A lecturer at the university.
Male or female: 20s-60s
Sam Craig – Mrs. Gibbs’ nephew.
Male: 20s-40s
Joe Stoddard – The town undertaker.
Male or female: 20s-60s
Townspeople – These are characters that appear for short scenes throughout the play, including
baseball players, townspeople and Mrs. Soames, a local gossip. Children and young adults are
encouraged to audition for these roles alongside adult actors.
Audition Requirements
Ages
Please note that the ages of the characters listed above are only approximate. The actual age of
the actors playing young characters is not as important as their ability to play young characters.
Accents
Although the script often implies a rural north-eastern American accent for many of the
characters, this is not a requirement. Any and all accents will be considered, as the quality of the
acting is more important than the precision of the accents.
Roles
The roles available through this audition are the characters outlined above. If you are interested
in contributing to the production in another capacity, have any other questions or would like to
shadow rehearsals to see if you’d be interested in getting involved in future GEDS productions,
please contact Colin Paterson at: [email protected]
GEDS Website: http://www.geds.ch/
Our Town Audition Notes