Auditions

These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich, directed by Tara Bastian for Eagle Theatre Company

Performances run January 24 - February 9, 2025

Audition dates: 

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2-6 PM

Eagle Hills Church, 651 N. Eagle Road

Sunday, Nov. 17, 2-4 PM – (Call Backs 4-6 PM)

Community Hall, 660 E. Civic Lane, Eagle

Rehearsal Schedule:

First Rehearsal: Nov. 20 at 7 PM

Wednesdays-Friday - 7-9 PM

Saturdays - 9 AM -1 PM

There will be breaks for the holidays.

Audition Process:

Sign up for a 30 minute audition slot using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BA8AF2BA6FEC52-51461131-these

When you show up, you will fill out an audition sheet which will ask which characters you are interested in and what your conflicts may be during the rehearsal season.  Please bring your conflicts and calendar with you.

You will be called in to audition in groups of 2-5 people at a time, and you will read selections from the script.

Auditions are on Saturday and Sunday.  Please be prepared to be called back on Sunday from 4-6 PM, so have your phone ready.  If you audition on Saturday, we will call you Saturday night for call backs.  If you audition on Sunday, we will let you know before you leave if you will need to return for call backs.

If you have any questions, please contact the director at tarabastian76@gmail.com

Synopsis:

Location: Chicago and Ottawa, Illinois

Time Period: 1920s and 1930s

Settings: Catherine and Tom’s Home, The Radium Dial Work Room, Courtroom

and the shore of Lake Michigan.

These Shining Lives tell the true story of the Radium Girls, young women who were exposed to radium poisoning in the workplace in the 1920s and 1930s. The play is set in Chicago and Ottawa, Illinois, where the Radium Dial Company was located. 

It follows the life of Catherine Donohue, including her cancer diagnosis and her lawsuit against the company. The play explores the strength and determination of the women, who refused to let the company that harmed them destroy their spirits. It also highlights the dangers women faced in the workplace and the lack of concern companies had for their employees' health. 

The play weaves together aspects of labor law, social and women's history, and the personal lives of the Radium Girls. It also explores how the women's newfound independence strained their marriages, and how the public's reluctance to accept women entering the workforce left them vulnerable to exploitation.

Character Breakdown:

(This is ensemble with options for an expandable cast)

CATHERINE DONOHUE (F) 20-40 - A young wife and mother of two. She works at the Radium Dial Factory. While she is quiet, sensitive and reflective at times, she is by no means weak. She is full of life and passion for her work, her friends, and her husband. 

CHARLOTTE (F) 25-45 – A worker at the factory. She is outspoken and hard-boiled. She is competitive and has a biting sense of humor. Underneath this front, however, she is just as kind hearted as her friends. Also plays Reporter 1.

FRANCES (F) 25-40 - A worker at the factory. She is the ‘moral backbone’ of the group, but is more flexible than she lets on. She acts as a mediator during the beginning of the show between Charlotte and Catherine. Also plays Reporter 2, an Official.

PEARL (F) 25-50 - A worker alongside Catherine at the factory. Sweet and supportive she is the “joker of the group.” But Pearl has a hard time coming to terms with her developing illness. Also plays Daughter,  Judge 2.

TOM DONOHUE (M) 25-45 - The husband of Catherine Donohue, a riveter on the skyscrapers of Chicago. He loves Catherine and is extremely devoted to her, but is somewhat unsettled when his wife starts making more money than he does. Also plays Dr. Rowntree, Dr. Dalitsch.

MR. REED (M) 40-65 - The overseer of the factory. His heart is usually with the girls, but when put under pressure he is a pawn of the Radium Dial factory and has to follow orders. Also plays Radio Announcer, Company Doctor, Son, Judge, Leonard Grossman.

Sides:

These sides will be used to audition for all characters in the show. If you have a desire to be a different character than the sides that are posted, you may indicate that desire on the audition sheet upon arrival.