ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS

On Monday evening, May 8, Christopher Weaver, the director of "Inherit the Wind", held auditions for the part of Howard. Howard is the student called to testify about whether the teachings of Mr. Cates have changed him in any way.

Joe is there to read with them. There are two brothers, Nick, 15, and Andrew, 13. Joe makes light conversation with them, and determines that only the younger boy, Andrew, is planning on reading for the part. Joe asks Nick why he isn't reading for the part. Nick's reply is that he's really more of a music kind of guy.

Christopher has arrived. He and I are introduced and we chat briefly.

He turns his attention to the boys and their mother. She has been cast in the play also. She briefly explains that Andrew has been rehearsing and wants to audition for the part of Howard. She then leaves the room. Terri Foley, the stage manager, places a chair to represent the juror's box. While Terri is handling practical matters, Christopher sits down with Andrew and Nick and asks their ages and questions Nick about his interests. After a few minutes, he explains to Andrew that, he looks younger than his vision of the role of Howard. He asks Nick if he has an interest in reading for the part of Howard. He does. Nick takes the "stand."

He in understandably nervous, tentative, and very soft spoken. Christopher checks, again, that this is something he wants to do. It's time for an acting lesson. CW introduces Grandma Gladys. He explains that she is half blind and half deaf. He further explains that we have to exaggerate our movements, so she can see them, and say our lines and project our voice so Grandma Gladys can hear us. Why doesn't she sit closer rather than all the way to the rear? Because she needs to be near the restroom.

Everyone laughs and Christopher has succeeded in relieving the tension Nick is feeling. Before offering Nick the part of Howard, he directs his attention to Andrew. He, again, explains that while he is very likely able to play the part of Howard, he simply looks too young. He adds that there is a smaller part, Timmy, that he thinks he looks perfect for and explains that actors hear "no" often for reasons that have nothing to do with acting, but they simply don't look the part. He asks if he's interested. Andrew accepts the role of Timmy.

I, though, have a question. The play seems contradictory about Howard. The scene notes about Scene 1, Act One say that Howard is a 13 year old boy. In early dialog Bert Cates has with Rachel, he says that he read chapter 17 of Darwin's "Origin of Species" to his sophomore science class. It's possible that school subjects may have been taught at different grade levels, but later when Henry Drummond is questioning Howard, he, jokingly, asks him if he thinks what Cates presented to them in class might have affected his pitching arm. Again, this seems more appropriately asked of a high school sophomore than a thirteen year old.

So, the mother of the boys can be excused for encouraging her 13-year-old to audition, and Christopher Weaver for looking for someone older. On this night it's settled. Nick will play Howard and Andrew seems happy to play Timmy. Everyone has a good laugh at the realization that a mom and her two sons will all be in the play together.

Fast forward to the first scheduled read-through. Nick does not attend. We would have to assume he has changed his mind, or perhaps has a conflict with the performance dates. They audition, again, for the role of Howard.

Read-throughs are exactly that: the "book" is used for the lines, and sometimes very basic blocking is discussed. Some cast members attempt it without the book. Joe determines to work harder and acknowledges his only concern should be his lines. The first read-through has been accomplished, and they are none the worse for wear.

Here's an interesting tidbit relative to the memory work. The night of the auditions with Nick and Andrew, Joe asked Weaver on which side of Howard would he be, and where would the judge be. The stage manager commented that he was over-thinking it for the purposes of this audition.

What I've witnessed is the memorization of lines is impacted by his physical movement, and his positioning on stage and among the other actors. This makes perfect sense to me as Joe appears to be a kinesthetic learner. His positioning and placement is setting up cues for him for his lines. He adds a light air to the auditions and the boys laugh at his jokes. All good.

Our next post will be catching up with Joe's progress, As soon as the dates and times are available they'll be posted on the blog, but also start thinking about possibly attending as a group. Perhaps it will need to be several groups, but at least make a little mental note to be there.