Reviews

For performances in February 2025

Directed by Jeremy Henson

This  is a contemporary dark comedy about a Canadian family that goes into  crisis while isolated on vacation on a very small rocky outcrop in the  North Atlantic.

This production by Belleville Theatre Guild is a World premiere!

Audition Schedule:

• Nov 3, 12 PM Noon to 4 PM
• Nov 4, 7 PM to 9 PM

All auditions will be held at The Annex; 47 Oak St. Belleville.

Audition  participants may arrive at any time during the audition window and will  be seen by the audition panel on a first come/first serve basis.

Audition details/expectations:

• Actors  should ideally have had some previous onstage experience in Community  Theatre, preferably in a drama but also perhaps in musical theatre!
• Ages specified for the characters (below) are only a guide and not necessarily accurate
• Audition participants are required to perform a memorized monologue* (of  their own choosing) no more than 2 minutes length in front of a panel  consisting of the Director, Producer, Stage Manager and Assistant Stage  Manager followed by a short coaching session with the Director. This  will result in an audition duration of approx. 15-20 mins for each  participant. 
• Callbacks  for all shortlisted applicants (should they be necessary) will follow  several days after the Nov. 4th last audition date.
• Several  copies of the script will be made available to be pre-read onsite at  the Belleville Public by Friday Oct 25. These are to be kept at the  library for in-house reference only, and are not to be taken home under  any circumstance!

* the monologue should not be from "The Rock". Suitable monologues can be found among other ways by doing an on-line search of 'two minute monologues".

Cast Requirements:

• HARRIET - 32-36,  tall, attractive single female. She is a free-spirit, an artist,  naturalist & wildlife specialist. She does not suffer fools gladly  and speaks her mind. Leaning toward a hippie lifestyle and existence,  and as a marine life analyst/whale watcher, she is the main reason the  family are on the rock! 
• JACK –  26-32, Harriet’s younger brother. He is an intelligent but bookish  individual with strong opinions. He exhibits great loyalty to his  family. Recently married but without children, he is a market research  analyst by profession. 
• SAM – 32-38, Harriet’s boyfriend/muse. An American who is actually an  employee of Harriet’s. He is a bit rough around the edges but is  attractive, has notable sex appeal and is a low maintenance individual.  Is also a naturalist but is not as accomplished as Harriet. 
• ROSE – Mid 60’s-early 70’s, Mother to Jack & Harriet. A dutiful and  committed environmentalist and nature conservationist. She is also a  free-spirit and chooses to sleep outside year round. An ex-armed forces  serviceperson and WW2 veteran. Is very proud of all her children and  likes to be the matriarch, craves to be a grandmother! There is a  general sadness about her as she seems to harbour deep-seated regret. 
• DONALD –  Late 60’s-mid 70’s, Father to Jack & Harriet, husband to Rose. The  patriarch, a retired and successful church organ international  salesperson, well-travelled, United-empire loyalist roots, and proud  Canadian. Tall, rangy, opinionated, does not deal well with triviality.  Is an alcoholic and harbours some resentment to both his wife and  children. 
• KATE - Late 20’s, early 30’s, stylish, urban, not an outdoors type. Newly married to Jack. A family member but definitely an outsider. 
• BOB – Mid-40’s, local US Maine fisherman and boat captain, Voice-Over actor only. 

For performances in June 2025

Directed by Carlotta Rutledge

All auditions will be held at The Annex;  47 Oak St. Belleville,

Please prepare a piece to showcase your voice.

Schedule

Children 8 to 12 years 

• Saturday November 23rd; 10 am to 12 pm
• Parents: please stay for this audition.

Adults and Teenagers

• Sunday November 24th, 2 pm to 5 pm 
• Tuesday November 26th, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm  

Cast of CHARACTERS 

• ELLA - Though no one notices her beneath her rags and quiet demeanour, she is opinionated, charismatic and funny.  Determined to see the best in everyone despite her hardships and suffering,we see her blossom into a confident young woman.
• TOPHER  - A misguided and lost prince who longs to do  something important with  his life.  Though brave and heroic he feels lonely and unfulfilled.  Charming but not the stereotypical ladies man, he is thoughtful and  appealing.
• MADAME - Ella's selfish stepmother .The  epitome of vanity and fashion.   Unapologetically dismissive and  sometimes cruel, Madame schemes her way up the social ladder.
• SEBASTIAN - The kingdom's Lord Chancellor. Though he is Topher's trusted advisor , he is devious and selfish 
• MARIE - A friend to Ella and the town's crazy lady and beggar women. Marie is actually Ella's fairy godmother in disguise.
• GABRIELLE - Ella's  stepsister and Daughter of Madam. Quietly empathetic and witty she is drawn to Ella and Jean-Michel.  Ironically aware that she doesn't fit in.
• CHARLOTTE-  Ella's stepsister and daughter of Madam. Brash, self-centred, sassy  and loud she never passes up an opportunity to be the centre of  attention .
• JEAN-MICHEL- Feisty , passionate peasant determined to make a change for the starving class. A firebrand , but lacks the authority to be taken seriously as a revolutionary. Has a  crush  on Gabrielle though their courtship is forbidden because they are  from different  social classes.
• LORD PINKLETON - The Lord Chancellor's right hand man . Announces royal balls, banquets and even the weather to the villagers.
• CHORUS:  fills the roles of footmen, coachmen, knights, townspeople, ladies and gentlemen of the Court, servants, etc

Note:  In this show, the race of the characters is not pivotal  to the plot.  I will consider diversity and inclusion in my casting  choices.

Director Carlotta Rutledge. 

Carlottarutledge@gmail.com