Walterdale Theatre presents
The Glace Bay Miners’ Museum
By Wendy Lill
Based on a Book by Sheldon Currie

Director: Anne Marie Szucs
Performance Dates: October 19-29, 2022
Audition Dates: Aug. 15, 2022: 7-10 pm, Zoom
Aug. 16, 2022: 7-10 pm, Zoom
Callbacks: Aug. 18, 2022: 7-10 pm, Zoom

Synopsis:
The story of an ill-fated love between a wandering musical dreamer and a Cape Breton miner’s daughter whose dreams are reawakened by their passion. A Canadian tragedy that is both hard as nails and full of love and humour.

Characters:
The five characters in this play are family – all toughened survivors but each with a spark of life and joy that survives despite it all.

• Margaret MacNeil (20s to 30s): Young, small, headstrong, gutsy, open to whatever life brings her, Margaret is the central character in this play. This is her story – her memories play out onstage. In the present, she is in her 30s; in her memories, she is 21.
• Catherine MacNeil (40s to 50s): Margaret’s mother, Catherine has a wired, nervous energy – always moving. Lively and spunky in her youth, she is now mostly tired, sarcastic, and bitter. Her spirit shines through despite her best efforts to hide it under her armour.
• Ian MacNeil (20s to 30s): Margaret’s brother, Ian has worked in the mines since his teens. A union man, he dreams of a better life for his community through the union – a “big-picture” thinker, and a fighter in his own way, he wants to change things for the better.
• Grandpa (60s to 70s): Margaret’s grandfather, Grandpa worked in the mines his entire life. Now, he can’t speak and mostly sits, writes to his family in his scribbler, and sleeps. Despite his silence, his humour and personality shine through.
• Neil Currie (20s to 30s): Margaret’s love, Neil is the outsider who fast becomes a member of the MacNeil family. Big, charming, independent, romantic, idealistic, Neil challenges all of the MacNeils’ beliefs about what is important in life and reminds them to honour their culture, family, music, and pride. Neil is a musician (plays bagpipes and sings).

*Ages ranges are approximate and somewhat flexible.

Audition Requirements:
You will be auditioning in small groups on Zoom in a 45-minute slot in which you will be asked to read sides from the play (you will receive the sides before your audition). If you can, we would love to hear you read your sides with a Cape Breton accent, but it is not required.

Actors auditioning for Margaret or Neil should also prepare a short, unaccompanied song (in the style of a Cape Breton ballad). Actors auditioning for Neil do NOT need to prepare a tune for the bagpipes – unless they want to! (It would be lovely if Neil could play the bagpipes, but if the actor who gets this role does not, we do have a Plan B.)

To book your audition, please email the director, Anne Marie, at szucswalterdalead@gmail.com . In your email:

• Indicate your preferred audition date (Aug. 15 or 16)
• Indicate the character(s) you are auditioning for
• Attach your headshot and resume
• Indicate any potential conflict dates you have with the rehearsal and performance schedule

If you are unable to make the audition dates, we will also accept recorded auditions. Please email Anne Marie to make the necessary arrangements for these.

Rehearsals will begin August 21st. The rehearsal schedule will be fairly intense as we have a lot of work to do before we open on October 19th. The earliest rehearsals (readthrough and tablework) will be on Zoom, but the remainder will be in-person. Rehearsals will be scheduled around actor availability whenever possible.

Notes:

• At this point, the theatre’s pandemic protocols require masking, as well as other restrictions, in the theatre building. As always, this is an evolving situation. You will be kept up-to-date on all safety measures in our space.
• Headshots and resumes are recommended but not required.
• The script may also be available through the Theatre Alberta library.
• Walterdale Theatre Associates is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.
• Walterdale Theatre is a community theatre and is committed to inclusivity. Walterdale encourages artists who self-identify as members of under-represented communities to audition.