Almost, Maine AUDITIONS

Almost, Maine, by John Cariani

Co-Directors – Nancy Cecco and Martin Mussey

Stage Manager – Jennifer Patton

Intimacy Director - Claire Fountain

Show description:

A woman carries her heart, broken into pieces, in a small paper bag. A man shrinks to half his former size, after losing hope in love. A woman keeps the love they have given each other in large red bags. These playful and surreal experiences are commonplace in the world of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine, where on one cold and magical midwinter night, the citizens of Almost -- not organized enough for a town, too populated for a wilderness -- experience the life-altering power of the human heart. Relationships end, begin, or change beyond recognition, as strangers become friends, friends become lovers, and lovers turn into strangers. Propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis and populated with characters that are humorous, plain-spoken, thoughtful, and sincere, Almost, Maine is a series of loosely connected tales about love, each with a compelling couple at its center, each with its own touch of magic.

Audition Dates:

Sat, November 2nd and Sun November 3rd, 2pm-5pm

(Callbacks as necessary)

Audition Location:

Auditions and rehearsals are held at Allen Contemporary Theatre, 1210 E Main St #300, Allen, TX 75002

Please be familiar with the script prior to auditioning. Sides are available here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C1U5hCSVRGqAS1KB6a1l4MUPHua-oTWY?usp=drive_link

We are seeking a diverse and inclusive cast. There are no restrictions on ethnicity. While there are some notes on certain characters as far as age goes, we are open to any age as long as the character is relatable at that age. Basically, if you can see yourself playing the character at your age, you are welcome to audition for the part. Characters that require kissing or other physical intimacy are noted below. We will have an intimacy director who will be present throughout the rehearsal process to create specific guidelines and protocols to ensure a safe and effective performance environment.

There are 10 male-identifying characters and 9 female-identifying characters. This show will utilize double casting, with actors playing multiple roles. This is a great chance to showcase your range of emotions and comedic timing.

Rehearsal Schedule:

Sundays through Thursdays, 7-10pm, Dec 1 – Dec 19
Holiday break Dec 20 – Jan 1
Rehearsals resume Thur, Jan 2 until opening Jan 24
NO Conflicts accepted during tech week: Sun, Jan 19 – Thu, Jan 23

Performance Schedule:

Show runs Jan 24 – Feb 9 (Fridays/Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 3)
Possible pick-up or additional shows added on Thursdays during the run (Feb 1 and Feb 8)

* There will be a $50 stipend paid to actors.

Character Descriptions:

Male-identifying Characters:

Pete – Pete and Ginette have been dating for a while. Pete truly loves Ginette, but he is socially awkward and it's hard for him to admit. He’s pretty proud of himself for his knowledge and ideas until he realizes he’s pushed her away. The characters embrace.

East – East is a repairman who is calm and sincere, but doesn’t know how to express himself. He meets a hiker named Glory outside his house while she is looking for the northern. He thinks she is beautiful and deserves love and that he can help her because he is a good repairman. The characters kiss.

Jimmy – Jimmy is a heating and cooling guy with a broken heart. He and Sandrine are former lovers who run into each other at a local bar. He is still hung up on her, but she has moved on. He thinks he doesn’t deserve love because it is his fault that he pushed away the woman he loves.

Steve – Steve and Marvalyn meet in the laundry room of their apartment building. He is open, clueless, kind and sort of a loner. He has a disorder that makes him unable to feel physical pain. He thinks he is deficient and that he will never be able to love or feel anything. The characters kiss.

Lendall (any age that is believable that they are a long-term couple) – Lendall and Gayle are a long-term couple who are having a fight. She brings him all the love he has given her over the years in a large red bag, and demands that he returns hers. He is kind person, and he loves her more than anything, but he doesn’t know how he can be worthy of her or make her understand. The characters kiss.

Randy – Randy and Chad are two buddies who realize that they are more than friends after a night of drinking and watching the northern lights. Randy thinks Chad is ‘wrong’ for messing up their friendship, and he’s afraid of losing his best friend. Actor must be comfortable playing a gay character. No physical intimacy involved.

Chad – Chad and Randy are two buddies who realize that they are more than friends after a night of drinking and watching the northern lights. Chad thinks Randy is amazing and thinks that he’s the only person that actually makes him happy. He is confused about his feelings and unsure of himself. Actor must be comfortable playing a gay character. No physical intimacy involved.

Phil (any age that is believable that they are a long-term couple with children) – Phil and Marci are a married couple who are unhappy with their relationship. They go ice skating on their anniversary, where they confront their issues and regrets. Phil is a no-nonsense, hard-working man. He thinks he’s a good husband who works hard for his family. He wants things to work but is unsure of how. He is frustrated with his wife.

Daniel (age must be old enough to have dated someone 11 years prior) – Daniel is the ex of Hope who left town suddenly years ago. The loss of her love changed him. This actor who plays this character must have something that identifies him as having changed (short or thin or chubby or loss of hair - some characteristic that would make her think he has changed over the years).

Dave - Dave and Rhonda are best friends. Dave is in love with her and has been for a long time. Dave is a tough guy but also sentimental and even takes a painting class to paint something for her. The characters kiss a great deal and disrobe each other down to their long johns.

Female-identifying Characters:

Ginette - Pete and Ginette have been dating for a while. Ginette is optimistic and loving toward Pete. She rambles a bit when she's nervous. She is in love with Pete, but she becomes unsure of herself when he gives his idea on closeness. The characters embrace.

Glory – Glory meets East while hiking outside his house while she is looking for the northern lights. She blames herself for her husband’s death. She is vulnerable and nervous and thinks she is broken forever and incapable of loving again. The characters kiss.

Sandrine – Sandrine left Jimmy some time ago and runs into him at a local bar. She has moved on and is engaged to someone else, but is sensitive towards Jimmy. She is put together and thinks she’s a good person because she still cares about Jimmy; but she also thinks she deserves better than him.

Waitress – She is a no-nonsense, sassy waitress, who witnesses the interaction with Jimmy and Sandrine. She thinks Jimmy is sweet.

Marvalyn – Marvalyn and Steve meet in the laundry room of their apartment building. She is self-protective, “almost” a nurse, and in a bad relationship. She thinks Steve is sweet, strange and intriguing. She feels she can’t do better than her current bad relationship. The characters kiss.

Gayle (any age that is believable that they are a long-term couple) – Gayle and Lendall are a long-term couple who are having a fight. She brings him all the love he has given her over the years in a large red bag, and demands that he returns hers. She is a passionate woman who wants to understand their relationship and how he feels. She loves Lendall but she’s ready for next step and is afraid if she doesn’t reach it soon, she never will. The characters kiss.

Marci (any age that is believable that they are a long-term couple with children) – Marci and Phil are a married couple who are unhappy with their relationship. They go ice skating on their anniversary, where they confront their issues and regrets. She is angry with Phil over all the things his work has caused him to miss. She is tired of him not paying attention.

Hope (age must be old enough to have dated someone 11 years prior) - She left her boyfriend suddenly 11 years ago and returns to find him changed. She is proud of herself for making her way, but disappointed and angry with herself for not giving him an answer all those years ago. She regrets leaving him and was hoping to pick up where they left off somehow and is sad to see that he moved on.

Rhonda – Rhonda and Dave are best friends. Dave is in love with her and has been for a long time. Rhonda is tough, snowmobiling and arm wrestling gal. She views herself as ‘one of the guys’. She doesn’t think any guy could ever love her. The characters kiss a great deal and disrobe each other down to their long johns.