Female Audition Sides

(A round little woman in her early fifties, comfortable looking, gentle, homey.  Under her placid exterior surges the creative "urge.”) Her father’s daughter, Penelope is a simple woman who displays a genuinely good-nature and a willingness to approach life with energy and frankness.  She wishes the very best for her children, and she is all too preoccupied with seeing her daughters happily.  Genuinely kind, enthusiastic, and optimistic, with a vivid zest and love for life. 

The elder daughter of Paul and Penny, “a girl of about 29, very slight, a curious air of the pixie about her.”  Essie is very comfortable in her skin — a free-spirit who adores her husband Ed and takes pleasure in her ballet lessons and her candy making. Like the rest of her family, she displays a sense of simplicity, trust, and kindness. She loves to dance through life, and flows freely with energy and a sense of exuberance at all times.

Long time maid to the Sycamore clan, Rheba is treated as another member of the family.  Because she’s not a full-fledged member of the family, however, Rheba is free to observe and comment on the goings-on around her.

 “A lovely, fresh young woman, she is plainly of Grandpa’s stock, but she seems to have escaped the touch of mild insanity that pervades the rest of the family. Nevertheless, her devotion and love for them are plainly apparent.”  Like her grandfather when he was young, Alice seems drawn to what the world calls success. When we meet her, she is embarrassed by her family and goes through great trouble to hide their oddities from the love of her life, Tony, and his parents.  But Alice can never get far away from her family’s sense of joy and innocence. 

Another great cameo. Gay is a professional actress, although her behavior and love of the bottle make us wonder how legitimate her career has been. A new-found friend of Penny’s, Gay offers “professional” feedback on Penny’s plays.  Loves her drink, she’s over the top and can be a merciless scene stealer. Like all the Sycamores and Sycamore hangers-on, Gay is comfortable in her own skin, even if she does like to embellish her theatrical credits.  

Mr. Kirby’s wife — and a seemingly perfect one — and mother of Tony. She exemplifies refinement — though not snobbishness — and the physical embodiment of the upper crust of society in dress and manner. Like Mr. Kirby, however, Mrs. Kirby has moments of secret doubt and reflection on her life choices and prospects for fulfillment.  There is a marvelous comic moment in her turn at a parlor game.

Prior to the revolution back home, Olga was a Grand Duchess in Russia (Russian accent).  However, nowadays, she spends her time waiting tables at a local restaurant. Despite her fall from privilege, Olga has never lost her elegance, and she retains a buoyant sense of well-being and happiness, passion, and a love of life. 

(The grand Duchess, now a humble waitress, stands tall, her eyes sparkling with warmth.)