Auditions: The Book Club Play

A hit comedy about books and the people who love them
by Karen Zacarías
Directed by Deb Lind
When the members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker and accept a provocative new member, their long-standing group dynamics take a hilarious turn. Sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore.
“Book Club is like Lord of the Flies with Wine and Dip”

Scripts are available by emailing the office: info@hlt.org.nz or call 534-1401
Auditions To make an appointment, please email the director: drdlind@gmail.com. Audition pieces will be provided.

Rehearsals will be on Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm and Sundays 2-5pm. Rehearsals will start Sun 19 Mar. Other rehearsals may be called as needed.
Season: 6-27 May 2023 (15 performances, including two matinees)
Gaining and accepting a role in this production will require total commitment to the process, line learning and availability. Please ensure you can fulfil these requirements before taking a role. Please note these are unpaid roles.
Characters:
All roles (unless stated) are in their 30s, but these are guidelines only. The ensemble fit of the 5 friends is more important. Pace and flow are vital for this comedy. Lily is written as black, but all ethnicities are options. Accents are American, and dialect support can be provided. The Pundit roles can be played by 1 or several actors – these are great roles for newer actors looking to be part of a play without taking on a leading role. You will have the opportunity to be a stand-by for leading roles (in case of illness) and/or part of the crew.
Ana - Beautiful. Charming. Smart. Accomplished. Organized. A columnist for a daily paper. The “Mother Bee.” Her grace masks a need to control.

Robert - Ana’s golden-boy handsome, charismatic, underachiever husband who is starting to search for meaning. Met in college. Upper-crust background.

William - Rob’s conservative, well-read, well-dressed, disciplined college roommate. Ana’s former boyfriend. History buff. Unmarried.

Jen - Ana’s friend. Pretty. Shy. Smart. Tends to burst out with awkward truthful comments. Despite some lack of self-confidence, she is the grounding centre of the group. Unorganized and oblivious to her own attractiveness. Unmarried.

Lily (black, 20s) - A go-getter. Former debate captain who is on the cusp of all current trends and yet can still put her foot in her mouth on social occasions. Laughs at appropriate and inappropriate times. A great lover of books and Ana’s protégé at the paper.

Alex - The new guy. A very smart, well-read academic who has lost his moorings and is searching for a real connection. Professor of comparative literature.

Pundit (either 1 or several actors, any age): playing five characters: Sam, Wal-Mart guy; Frank, Secret Service agent; Elsa, jaded literary agent; Mrs Simpson, skydiver; Carl, an inmate book dealer.

Note: The roles of Ana, Will, Rob and Jen involve some intimacy. An intimacy coordinator will be available to advise.

Director: Deb Lind
I am incredibly excited to be involved again in the creative side, after navigating the Covid years as President of Howick Little Theatre. A background originally in musical theatre in the UK, I am a director, actor, singer, producer and have enjoyed many backstage roles over the years. Notable productions have been with Howick Little Theatre, Harlequin Theatre, Glen Eden Playhouse, Remarkable Theatre and Libretto Productions.
I love creating fun, immersive, collaborative environments for actors and crew to work as a strong team to make a show that everyone is proud of and where audiences leave with big smiles.
‘The Book Club Play’ is a wonderful mix of comedy with moments of humanity that we will explore together as an ensemble.
Please send any questions to Debs or call on 0279 480708.