Auditions for Shadow Hour by Ralph Tropf

Synopsis:
This is a courtroom drama for eight women and four men. A young woman has accused a United States senator of sexual assault. The jury finds itself sharply divided. As they debate the evidence, flashbacks to the courtroom show how each juror has interpreted the testimony differently. Flashbacks to the events as they happened show that the witnesses in the trial interpret what happened differently. The truth, it seems, is lost in shadows. Shadow Hour is a contemporary story that gives each cast member the opportunity to play two parts. Many roles are ideal for older actresses.

From director Nicole Mullins:
Shadow Hour delves into challenging and morally ambiguous situations, particularly related to the legal proceedings and the characters' personal experiences. The title may reflect the murky and shadowy nature of truth, justice, and human behavior, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The use of "shadow hour" in the title could also suggest a time of reckoning, introspection, and the unveiling of hidden truths, mirroring the dramatic tension and revelations within the narrative. The challenge with this kind of situation is the perspective and subjectivity of the recall of events and accuracy of what happened. The goal is for the audience to feel the discomfort and relatability of the topics in a modern sense with a positive lens on communication, problem-solving, and seeing perspectives we might be naturally biased to miss. It’s very easy to interpret things wrong. The hope is that when people leave the theater, they leave it talking about how they understood each character and their position so we can work together more effectively today. 

Directed by: Nicole Mullins

Performance Information:
Performances will be at the Bowie Playhouse, April 5-28, 2024

Audition Dates/Times:
January 22, 2024 - 7 PM - 9 PM
January 23, 2024 - 7 PM - 9 PM
Callback (if needed) - January 24, 2024 - 7 PM

Audition Location:
Grace Lutheran Church, 2503 Belair Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715

Available Roles:
8 women and 4 men
Actors do not have to be within the age range but are able to look that age range.

* Richard Barnes/Senator Adam Martin - Age range: 50s-60s
-Richard Barnes is a member of the jury and a professor of English Lit. He is described as a thoughtful and intelligent man who is respected by his peers. 
-Senator Adam Martin is a character at trial who is accused of sexual assault. He is described as a powerful and charismatic man who is used to getting what he wants. He is involved in the sexual altercation.

* Julia Rollins / Christy Connelly - Age range: 20s-30s
-Julia Rollins is a member of the jury and a student at Georgetown. She is described as a passionate and idealistic young woman who is committed to justice. 
-Christy Connelly was hired to be Senator Martin’s admin assistant. She is the character at trial who is presented as a survivor of sexual assault involving the Senator. She is described as a young woman new to the area. She is treated as naïve about the environment and culture of the job she took, who is struggling to come to terms with the trauma she has experienced. She is involved in the sexual altercation.

* Ellen Frances / Judge Evelyn Vernon - Age range: 60s-70s 
-Ellen Frances is a member of the jury and a retired schoolteacher. She is described as a kind and compassionate woman who is well-liked by her peers. 
-Judge Evelyn Vernon is a character who presides over the trial. She is described as a stern and no-nonsense judge who is committed to upholding the law. Breaks 4th wall.

* Joe Albert / Prosecuting Attorney James Cote -Age range: 40s-50s 
-Joe Albert is a member of the jury and a carpenter / construction worker. He is described as a practical and hardworking man who is skeptical of authority. 
He is not involved in any fighting directly but tries to intercede / stop fighting.
-Prosecuting Attorney James Cote is a character in the trial who presents the case against Senator Adam Martm. He is described as a confident and aggressive lawyer who is determined to win the case. Breaks 4th wall.

*Betty Beade / Defense Attorney Leslie Walker - Age range: 40s-50s
-Betty Beade is a member of the jury and a retired nurse. She is described as a warm and caring woman who is always willing to help others. 
-Defense Attorney Leslie Walker is a character in the trial who defends Senator Adam Martin. She is described as a skilled and intelligent lawyer who is committed to defending her client. She is not involved in any fighting.

*Terese Shippen / Susan Clover - Age range: 30s-40s
-Terese Shippen is a member of the jury and a stay-at-home mom. She is described as a nurturing and empathetic woman who is devoted to her family. 
-Susan Clover is Senator Martin’s campaign manager who met and hired Christy to be the admin assistant. She is matter-of-fact, good at her job, and runs an efficient office. She tries to be a neutral observer at the trial. Some comic relief moments.*

*Rachel Owens / Veronica Krups (Marjorie Taylor Greene type) - Age range: 30s-40s
-Rachel Owens is a member of the jury and a postal worker. She is described as a no-nonsense woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. 
-Veronica Krups is the woman at the campus Womyn’s Advocacy Center that Christy goes to for help. She is strong-willed, empathetic, and well-intentioned.

*Brenda Swift / Detective Elizabeth Brownlee - Age range: 40s-50s
-Brenda Swift is a member of the jury and a mother of five. She is described as a practical and no-nonsense woman who is always looking out for her family. 
-Detective Elizabeth Brownlee is a character in the trial who investigates the case against Senator Adam Martm. She is described as a skilled and experienced detective who is committed to finding the truth. 

*Tom Dryall / Bailiff - Age range: 40s-50s 
-Tom Dryall is a member of the jury. He is described as a practical and hardworking man who takes his responsibilities seriously. He is slow to make a decision because he is considering all sides – tries to prevent tension / fighting.
-The Bailiff is a character in the trial who maintains order in the courtroom. 

*Timothy "Skrag" Sullen / Caterer - Age range: 20s-30s 
-Timothy "Skrag" Sullen is a member of the jury, smoker, and likes to get a reaction. He is described as a rough-around-the-edges man who is not afraid to speak his mind. 
-The Caterer is a character in the trial who provides food and drinks for the jurors. He is not involved in any fighting.

*Coralee Leighton - Age range: 60s-70s
-Coralee Leighton is a member of the jury and a retired librarian. She is described as a kind and gentle woman who is always willing to lend an ear. She represents an era gone by in some ways.

*Blair Deveraux / Helen (Waitress) - Age range: 20s-30s
-Blair Deveraux is a member of the jury and a college student.
-Helen is a character in the testimony flashback who is a waitress at a the event where a key event takes place.

Audition Information:

Cold readings from the script will be requested. No advance preparation is necessary, but a smile never hurts. 
Auditionees should plan to be there for at least an hour and ready to have a good time!

Please bring a head shot and resume (if available) and all conflicts you may have between auditions and the end of the performance schedule.
NO conflicts are accepted during tech week of April 1-4, 2024.

For any questions regarding auditions, please contact the director, Nicole Mullens-Teasley at nicolemullens75@gmail.com

Rehearsals will be held in Bowie, MD up to 3 times a week starting in early February.