Enter the Secret Garden at GreenMan!
GreenMan Theatre announces auditions for their spring Showcase production, an new adaptation of the children's novel "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This beloved story will be adapted and directed by Linda Roberts.
Auditions will be held on Sunday February 10 at 3 PM, Monday February February 11 at 7 PM, and Tuesday February 12 at 7 PM in Asbury Hall at First United Methodist Church at 232 S. York St. in Elmhurst. The production will run for 8 weekend performances April 5-7, 12-14.
Cold readings will be used for the audition. Please note that characters speak in either standard [RP] British dialect, or Yorkshire dialect and actors are encouraged to come prepared to audition in dialect. Appointments are not required to audition. There is no pay. There are roles for 9 actors [2 men, 3 women, 2 boys, 1 girl, plus 1 puppeteer]. Anyone under 18 who auditions will need signed permission from a parent or guardian.
See cast list, along with audition scenes, below.
Click here to view a copy of the script.
CAST LIST
British Officer (played by actor also playing Mr. Craven) – British dialect
Mary Lennox, able to play about 10 years old – British dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Mrs. Medlock, mature – British dialect, formerly Yorkshire - (Click here for Audition sides)
Martha Phoebe Sowerby, late teens to early twenties – Yorkshire dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Ben Weatherstaff, mature – Yorkshire dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Dickon Sowerby, able to play early teens – Yorkshire dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Colin Craven, able to play about 10 years old – British dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Mr. Archibald Craven, Colin's father – British dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Mrs. Susan Sowerby, mother to Dickon & Martha - Yorkshire dialect - (Click here for Audition sides)
Puppeteer to work Robin - puppet
Lamb – puppet worked by Dickon
Soot – bird puppet worked by Dickon
Squirrel puppet worked by Dickon
Click these link for examples of online resources for dialects.
Standard [RP] British dialect.
Point Park University Research Guides
YouTube
wikiHow
Yorkshire dialect.
YouTube
Yorkshire-dialect.org
YouTube
wikiHow
"The Secret Garden" was published in 1911. In the story, the orphaned Mary Lennox unlocks the mysteries of a walled garden and journeys from neglect to hope. The book is a classic of English children's literature, and has been adapted many times for stage and screen. Director and adapter Linda Roberts has directed and acted at many Chicago area theatres, and is the founder and artistic director of Roberts Marionettes. She first adapted "The Secret Garden" for one of her productions in a shortened length for school presentations.
