07/15/2024
Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center to Hold Open Auditions for the Long Island premiere staged readings of Truman Capote’s holiday short stories collection, The Thanksgiving Visitor, One Christmas and A Christmas Memory
Open auditions for the Long Island premiere of Truman Capote’s collection of heartwarming holiday short stories, The Thanksgiving Visitor, One Christmas and A Christmas Memory will be held on Sunday, September 8 at 12:00 at Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton.
Auditions begin promptly; late arrivals will be seen at the discretion of the director. Readings from the stories will occur. Sides will be provided.
Michael Disher directs.
Performances of The Thanksgiving Visitor will be held on Friday, November 15th through Sunday, November 17th, 2024. Performances of One Christmas and A Christmas Memory will be held on Friday, November 29th through Sunday, December 1st, 2024.
Rehearsals will occur in October and November.
Produced through Special Arrangements with and Permission Granted by The Truman Capote Literary Trust, Center Stage will bring to life the bittersweet, heartwarming and thought-provoking prose written by one of the 20th Century’s greatest and most celebrated American writers, Truman Capote. Based largely upon Capote’s youth in rural Alabama, the tales focus on young Buddy and his lovingly eccentric cousin, Sook. Together, through one Thanksgiving and two Christmases, Buddy and Sook learn much about honesty, love, loss and enduring friendship.
“The Truman Capote Literary Trust was quite agreeable to having Mr. Capote’s short stories presented in an area he once called home. After negotiations were met and guidelines established, the trust granted permission. I am pleased and honored to be bringing these stories, in their entirety to the stage,” said Michael Disher. “It is the hope of the trust (me, as well) that interest in reading these stories is renewed. In many areas, A Christmas Memory was once required reading,” Disher added.
Christina Strassfield, Executive Director of Southampton Arts Center stated, “We look forward to our second season and holiday collaboration with Center Stage at Southampton Arts Center. We can think of no better way to jumpstart the holiday season than with these beautiful tales.”
Casting is flexible. Each story will be cast separately. Actors must cover many roles, so vocal dexterity is required. The play is performed by the ensemble of actors who create all the characters and create the environments.
The assignment of these roles will be tailored to suit the ensemble of actors cast in this production.
Those auditioning should wear suitable clothing and shoes for an audition and have a flexible schedule. Most rehearsals are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays during the day. Casting will be immediate as rehearsals begin mid-September. Minimal rehearsals, no memorization required, but always preferred. Familiarity with the script is a must. For further information, contact Michael Disher at [email protected].
The Thanksgiving Visitor, Cast of Characters
Younger Buddy (8 years old)
Older Buddy (narrator)
Miss Sook Faulk (60s)
Ann Jumbo Finchburg (8 years old)
Odd Henderson (11 years old)
Uncle B. (60s)
Miss Armstrong (30s)
Dad Henderson (30s-40s)
Molly Henderson (30s)
Mrs. Mary Taylor Wheelwright (70s)
Annabel Conklin (20s or 30s)
The Conklin Sisters (teens)
Narrators (2)
One Christmas, Cast of Characters
Older Buddy (Narrator, any age)
Younger Buddy (6 years old)
Sook (60s)
Buddy’s Father (30s-40s)
Billy Bob, Buddy’s cousin (young)
Buddy’s Mother (30s)
Narrators (2)
A Christmas Memory, Cast of Characters
Older Buddy (Narrator, any age)
Younger Buddy (7 years old)
Sook (60s)
Mr. Haha Jones (40s-50s)
Sook’s sister (50s-60s)
Mill Owner”s wife (40s)
Narrators (2)
Those auditioning should wear suitable clothing and shoes for an audition and have a flexible schedule. Most rehearsals are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays during the day. Casting will be immediate as the first rehearsal is Sunday, September 17th. Minimal rehearsals, no memorization is required, but always preferred. Familiarity with the script is a must. For further information, contact Michael Disher at [email protected].
