Director Chris Smith
Back Alley Productions invites the public to the Mars Theatre, 117 N Chattanooga St. in LaFayette, to audition for their upcoming stage drama “Ordinary People.”
Auditions are Monday, May 1, and Tuesday, May 2 anytime from 6:30-8:30 p.m., or by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled with Director Christopher Smith at 706-621-9129.
“Ordinary People” examines the disintegration of an upper-middle class family in the wake of a personal tragedy. The Jarretts consist of Calvin, a successful but slightly oblivious tax attorney; Beth, a socialite and matriarch who has turned cold towards her family; and Conrad, their youngest son.
The family is thrown into crisis following the death of their eldest son.
“Ordinary People is a candid look at a family’s breakdown and partial recovery following tragic circumstances,” Mr. Smith explained. “And we’re looking for actors and actresses who can carry this heavy show. This is the right show for you if you want to push yourself as an actor, or even if you have never acted before and want to give it a shot.”
Conrad, the youngest son, returns home from a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt driven by a deep depression. He feels alienated from his friends and family, so he begins seeing a psychiatrist, Dr. Berger, who learns that the Jarrett family is only functional on the surface. In reality, each member of the family is still struggling with their own personal battles.
“It’s a very absorbing and authentic look at real people just trying to survive a deeply painful event,” Mr. Smith said. “It’s a sharp examination of mental health, the struggles of frayed family dynamics, and the everyday tragedies that happen all the time, but often get buried by our urgent need as humans to return to normalcy as quickly as possible.”
The production requires a diverse cast, with roles for anyone ages 18 to 70. Due to its themes, Ordinary People contains heavy adult content including strong profanity.
“Because our setting is an intimate black box, we employ an intensive actor's analysis during rehearsals, including character study, work-shopping, and professional critique based on industry acting methods,” Mr. Smith added.
Performances for Ordinary People are scheduled for weekends from June 30 to July 16. For more information, call or text Mr. Smith at 706-621-9129.