Calendar Girls

Auditions - March 26 - 28, 2023

By Juliette Towhidi & Tim Firth

Based on the Miramax motion picture by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth


Presented through special arrangement with: Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc
Directed by: Deidre Parmenter
Produced by: Erin Fagundes & Robin Rassell


Audition Dates & Times:

March 26, 27 & 28 at 7 p.m.

Conejo Players Theatre

351 S. Moorpark Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91361


Performances:

May 26 – June 17, 2023

Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.


Audition Requirements:

Please read and be familiar with the play and the characters.

 

Please note – this play contains artfully arranged nudity, with coverage as required by city ordinances. Certain characters (as noted in the character descriptions) will be required to appear as if nude onstage with props covering the private bits.

 

Cora – may be asked to sing a line or two of “Happy Birthday” or other song. Must be able to lead singing. 

 

Accents – this story is set in Yorkshire; however, we live in a global world, so no need for affected accents. Please bring your day to day speaking voice only. (Natural accents ok.) 

 

Auditions are open, but you will read 1-2 character-specific sides with a reader, then may be placed in a group with other auditioners for a later read.

 

Audition information will be collected digitally. Please be prepared to scan a QR code and complete your audition form digitally. Please be prepared to upload your resume digitally, provide all conflicts, and take a selfie the night of the auditions to upload (not a head shot). You may also upload a headshot, but the same night selfie is key!

 

Sides and a rehearsal calendar will be posted prior to auditions. 

Rehearsals are expected to be from 7-10 pm M-F. Most rehearsals will be at the theatre, but some will be offsite. Chris, Annie, Cora, Jessie, Celia & Ruth are likely to be called for all rehearsals. Other characters will be called as needed.

 

Tech Week is May 22-May 25, 2023.


For more information:

Contact Erin Fagundes & Robin Rassell at erin.fagundes@gmail.com

Show Synopsis

When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women’s Institute members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame. The art of the play’s nudity lies in what is withheld – and can be described as “fabulous concealment” (author Tim Firth).

 

 

 

 

Get your own 2024 “Calendar Girls” Calendar!

Much like the play, the cast and crew of Conejo Players Theatre have created a 2024 calendar that will be available for purchase. The cost is $20 and all proceeds from the calendar will benefit the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara.

 

To order click here!

 

Thank you to Ames Letterpress Inc and Scott Quintard Photography for helping to make this calendar possible.

Character Descriptions

Chris / presents as female / 50s / Nudity– Chris is the life of the party, at home anywhere, and revels in being the center of attention. She brings a lot of mischievous energy when she walks into a room.

 

Annie / presents as female / 50s / Nudity – Annie is playful, but slightly cautious. She enjoys mischief as much as the next person but is also the one who will calm things down, bring folks together, and can always be counted on.

 

Cora / presents as female / 40 ish / Nudity – Resilient, a joker, and the resident musician, Cora must sing well enough to lead a song or two. She also plays the piano, so familiarity would be a plus.

 

Jessie / presents as female / late 60s/70’s / Nudity – A teacher with a bit of hippie in her, she is all natural and very brave. She loves roller coasters – and grammar!

 

Celia / presents as female / 35-50 / Nudity – A bit of an outsider, a bit rebellious, and a bit of a shopper (she’s a fan of department stores)

Ruth / presents as female / 40’s / Nudity – a people pleaser and rule follower which stems from an abusive relationship, but she ultimately becomes strong and genuinely confident.

 

Marie / presents as female / 50’s / No Nudity – Full of herself and quite a conservative rule follower, she has built up walls and a façade as a defense mechanism. Most of the others roll their eyes at her a lot.

 

John / presents as male / 50’s / No Nudity – Salt of the earth, sensitive, supportive. Annie’s husband.

 

Rod / presents as male / 50’s / No Nudity – Hard working, deadpan humor, confident in his relationship (Chris could give him a run for his money, but he takes it in stride and is never threatened by her). Chris’ husband.

 

Brenda Hulse / presents as female / over 35 / No Nudity – a dull speaker

 

Lawrence / presents as male / late 20’s – No Nudity – Hesitant and shy, artistic, and witty. A little intimidated by all of the women, but the artistic side takes over and he’s ok.

 

Lady Cravenshire / presents as female / 60s-70s – No Nudity – the height of elegance and patronization of the other women.

 

Elaine / presents as female / 20s / No Nudity – Impeccable, snooty, the “other woman” to an older man.

 

Liam / any gender / late 20’s – Bored, but professional, weary and resigned.