Winter Play

The Philadelphia Story

By Phillip Barry
Directed by Anne James-Noonan
ABOUTAUDITIONS
You do not need to sign up for an after school audition. Please be prepared to
arrive at the start of the audition and stay to the end. Auditions will begin at 3:30
and end no later than 6:30 p.m.
Freshmen students who are in the crew of Lagniappe/Potpourri should audition
during a lunch period on Tuesday, October 20.
If you are a Freshman who auditioned but was not cast in Lagniappe/Potpourri or the
Fall Play and you may use the monologue you auditioned with in August.
Freshmen who are in the cast of Lagniappe/Potpourri or the Fall Play are not eligible to
audition for this production. However, they may participate in the stage crew for both
productions and audition for the Theatre 4 Directing Projects/Spring Plays Festival and
the Styles Workshop in J anuary and the Freshman-Sophomore Play in March.
Freshmen and Sophomore students who choose to audition for The Philadelphia
Story and Babes In Arms may not indicate a preference and will be considered
for Babes In Arms first.
GENERAL AUDITIONS
Tuesday, October 20
Lunch Period Auditions for Freshmen in Lagniappe/Potpourri Cast and Crew
Please contact the Director by e-mail for an audition appointment.
E221, Northfield Campus

Wednesday, October 21, 3:45 6:00 pm
Last name P Z
McGee Theatre, Winnetka Campus

Thursday, October 22, 3:45 6:00 pm
Lunch Period Auditions for Sophomores, J uniors and Seniors
in Lagniappe/Potpourri Cast and Crew. Location TBA.
Please contact the Director by e-mail for an audition appointment.
3:30 6:00 p.m.
Last name A O
McGee Theatre, Winnetka Campus

CALL BACK AUDITIONS
The call back list will posted after 11:00 a.m. on Friday morning, October 23, on the
bulletin boards on both the Winnetka campus (outside M183) and Northfield
campus (outside E122).

Friday, October 23 from 3:45 AM to 6:30 PM and/or
Saturday, October 24 from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Winnetka Campus

CAST LISTS
The final cast lists will be recorded by 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 25 on
the New Trier Audition Hotline (847-446-7000 Ext. 5053).

Students wanting feedback following their audition can make an appointment with Mrs.
J ames-Noonan for Friday, October 30 from 3-4 pm. Scheduling for those conversations
will begin on Tuesday, October 27. Sign-ups will be on the door of E126 at Northfield and
M1281 Winnetka.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
THE FIRST REHEARSAL WILL BE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
FROM 3:30 6:00 P.M.
McGee Theatre, Winnetka Campus.

The rehearsal schedule may be subject to updates after casting. Please have this
three page form signed. Remember to down load a copy for your parents and
yourself to keep!

PERFORMANCES
The play will be performed on the following dates in the McGee Theatre, Winnetka
Campus.
Wednesday, December 9 at 4:30 PM (Public Dress)
Thursday, December 10th at 7:30 PM
Friday, December 11th at 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 12
th
at 2:00 PM

CONFLICTS
Note any conflicts you have with the rehearsal schedule on your audition form. It is
very important that you are thorough and specific about the dates and times of
your conflicts IN ADVANCE of casting! If you are cast, please reschedule any
doctor/dentist appointments or lessons. Conflicts which occur after you are cast
may not be honored.



HOW TO AUDITION
Please prepare (and memorize) one of the suggested monologues. Refer to the
document How to Audition for A New Trier Production on the website for more
pointers! Contact your theatre teacher if youd like to make an appointment for
additional support.

YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE PLAY PRIOR TO ANY CALL BACK
AUDITION!

CHARACTERS
Approximately 14 actors will be cast in the following roles.
(This play will not be double cast.)
Tracy Lord
C.K. Dexter Haven
MacCauley Connor
Elizabeth Imbrie
Sandy Lord (F we will change the gender for this production.)
Margaret Lord
Seth Lord
Dinah Lord
Uncle Willie
George Kittredge
Elsie
Thomas (M or F)
May
Mac (M or F)

OVERVIEW OF THE SHOW
Originally produced on Broadway in 1939, this is the story of Tracy Lord, a member
of an upper class Philadelphia family who is about to marry for a second time.
Tracy is beautiful and witty but intolerant of human weakness. Her first husband, her
father and future husband regard her as an untouchable goddess.

Liz Imbrie and Mike Connor, are two journalists stuck covering the society wedding
of a class and people they view as a group of vapid elitists. However, they are able
to shake lose some of the Lord family skeletons. Mike allows Tracy to show that she
has human frailties just like everyone else.

Please feel free to read the script available in both (W) and (N) libraries and in M283
or e-mail the Music and Performing Arts Secretary, Ms. J udy Bowman to obtain a
copy (bowmanj@newtreir.k12.il.us)

WHAT MATERIALS DO I NEED? Students should submit the following materials at the
general auditions:
Signed audition form
Signed rehearsal and performance schedule (with conflicts listed
Signed academic eligibility form (on the Performing Arts page of the NTHS
web site)

WHAT ABOUTTHE MONOLOGUE?
Pick one of the following monologues for your audition. All selections should be
memorized. Monologues are not taken from The Philadelphia Story. You will not
perform in front of other students until the callbacks.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Do not bother wearing costumes. Wear clothes that you can move in and make
you look and feel good. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Avoid jeans and
sneakers.

WHEN WOULD I HAVE TO BE HERE?
Please see the rehearsal and performance calendar.
Techs and dresses will be held up to 8:00 so please make arrangements to allow for
some flexibility. Also, on these nights please bring dinner or money with you.
Rehearsals will take place in the McGee Theatre or M284/286 at the Winnetka
Campus unless otherwise noted.

HOW DO I APPLY TO BE AN ASSISTANTDIRECTOR?
There will be three or four assistant director positions. One of these positions may include
stage management responsibilities. If you are interested in applying for one of these
opportunities, you do not need an application.

Please contact Mrs. J ames-Noonan by e-mail prior to WEDNESDAY, October 14, so that
she can set up a time to talk with you in person. Include your free periods and after
school availability in the e-mail.

E-mail the Music and Performing Arts Secretary, Ms. J udy Bowman to obtain a copy of
the play prior to your meeting with Mrs. J -N (bowmanj@newtreir.k12.il.us) You are
strongly encouraged to read the play before your appointment. You may audition as
well as ask to be considered to be an AD, but you must indicate your interest prior to
the audition in an interview.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES I SHOULD CONSIDER?
Yes! There will be a stage crew for this production (which also fulfills the CAP
requirement)! We need a lot of students to get involved in this show. If you are not
cast, please consider spending you time in an equally valuable and fun way and
join the stage crew. The first informational meeting is on Thursday, October 29 at
3:40 in A10 (below the Gaffney.)

We also welcome you to join the stage crew for Freshman-Sophomore Musical, or
audition for the Theatre 4 Directing Projects/Spring Plays Festival and the Styles
Workshop in J anuary, the Freshman-Sophomore Play in March, or join the Short Form
Improv club in J anuary. Freshman can also opt to participate in the Freshman Play,
Page to Stage.
WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?
To reach the director, Mrs. J ames-Noonan:
E-mail: jamesnoa@newtrier.k12.il.us
Phone number: 847-784-6693
Or stop by and leave a note in M281 (Winnetka)

Gloria,AuntieMamebyLawrenceandLee
Gloria is a lovely society girl who thinks this is a really interesting story.
Mrs.Burnside,youcouldpracticallywriteabookaboutwhathappenedtome.BunnyBixlerandIwere
inthesemifinalstheverysemifinals,mindyouofthepingpongtournamentattheclub,andthis
ghastlythinghappened.Wewerebothplayingswellandwehadthisterrificvolley,andIranbacktoget
thisreallyterrificshotandIsteppedonthepingpongball!Justsquashedittonothing!AndthenBunny
andIwenttotheclosettogetanotherball,andtheclosetwaslocked!Imagine!Itwasghastly,just
ghastly!

Abby,ArsenicandOldLacebyJosephKesserling
Abby and her sister, Martha, are trying to explain to their nephew why theres a dead body in the
window seat.
ThefirstwasMr.Midgely.Istillthinkwecantclaimfullcreditforhimbecausehejustdied.Imean
withoutanyhelpfromus.Yousee,Mr.Midgelycameherelookingforaroom.Allhiskithandkinwere
deadanditlefthimsoforlornandunhappy.Andthen,whenhisheartattackcameandhesatdeadin
thatchairlookingsopeaceful,wemadeupourmindsthenandtherethatifwecouldhelpotherlonely
oldmentothatsamepeacewewould.Well,dear,agallonofelderberrywinewithateaspoonof
arsenic,thenhalfateaspoonofstrychnineandthenapinchofcyanideIthasquiteakick.

AlicefromYouCantTakeItWithYoubyMossHartandGeorgeS.Kaufman
Aliceisexplainingthedepthofherfamilyseccentricitytoherboyfriend.Shessurethatherfamilyistoo
weirdforhisfamilytoaccept.
Itgoesdeeper,Tony.Yourmotherbelievesinspiritualismbecauseitsfashionable,andyourfather
raisesorchidsbecausehecanaffordto.Mymotherwritesplaysbecauseeightyearsagoatypewriter
wasdeliveredherebymistake.AndandlookatGrandpa.Thirtyfiveyearsagohejustquitbusiness
oneday.Hestarteduptohisofficeintheelevatorandcamerightdownagain.Hejuststopped.He
couldhavebeenarichman,buthesaidittooktoomuchtime.Soforthirtyfiveyears,hesjust
collectedsnakes,andgonetocircusesandcommencements.

ElainefromArsenicandOldLacebyJosephKesselring
Elaineistryingtofigureoutwhyherboyfriendisactingsostrangely.
Mortimer!Whatsgoingoninthishouse?Youweresupposedtotakemetodinnerandthetheatre
tonightyoucalleditoff.YouaskedmetomarryyouIsaidIwouldandfiveminuteslateryouthrew
meoutofthehouse.Tonight,justafteryourbrothertriestostrangleme,youwanttochasemehome.
Now,listen,Mr.BrewsterbeforeIgohome,IwanttoknowwhereIstand.Doyouloveme?
DeirdrefromIHateHamletbyPaulRudnick
Deirdreisexcitedthatsheandherboyfriendareinthesameshow.HesplayingHamlet.Sheisnot
playingOphelia.
Iknowyouregoingtobethebest.AndImsoproudofyou.AndImsogladwereintheplay
together,evenifIamjustoneofOpheliasladiesinwaiting.AndevenifIdonthaveanylines.The
directortookmeasideyesterday,atthedressrehearsal.HesaidIwasverygood,butthatwhenthey
announcethatOpheliaisdead,Ishouldntscream.Orstagger.Orgrabyourswordandtrytostab
myself.HesaidtheplaywasntcalledTheTragedyofOpheliasBestFriend.ButIunderstand.
MONOLOGUESMale
Stanley,TheManWhoCametoDinnerbyKaufmanandHart
Mr. Whiteside is an egomaniacal radio celebrity who has been staying at Stanleys house since
he injured himself several weeks ago. Stanley is trying to stay calm, but he has had enough.
Nothavingyourgiftforinvective,sir,IcannottellyouwhatIthinkofyourobnoxiousinterferenceinmy
affairs,butIhavenowarrangedthatyouwillinterferenolonger.Mr.Whiteside,thesegentlemenare
deputysheriffs.TheyhaveawarrantbywhichIamenabledtoputyououtofthishouse,andIneed
hardlyaddthatitwillbethegreatestmomentofmylife.Youhavefifteenminutes,Mr.Whitesideand
thatmeansbag,baggage,wheelchair,penguins,octopus,andcockroaches.Iamnowgoingupstairsto
smashourradio,sothatnotevenaccidentallywillIeverhearyourvoiceagain.
Bert,TheManWhoCametoDinnerbyKaufmanandHart
Bert is a small town newspaper editor. He has just met with a famous actress who wants to help
him with his play. He stops in to see his new girlfriend to tell her the news. The girlfriend doubts
the actresss intentions.
Itsthebiggestdayofmylife.IknowImalittledrunk,butitisabigday.Wevebeensittingoverin
BillysTavernallnight.Neverrealizeditwasdaylightuntilitwasdaylight.Listen,MaggieMissSheldon
saystheplayneedsjustalittlebitoffixingdoitinthreeweeks.Shesgoingtotakemetoalittleplace
shesgotinLakePlacidjustforthreeweeks.Weregoingtoworkontheplaytogether.Isntit
wonderful?Youknowwhat,Maggie?IgotafriendthatdoesntbelieveinSantaClausletsclimbdown
hischimneyandfrightenthehelloutofhim.

GeorgefromItsAWonderfulLifeALiveRadioPlaybyJoeLandry
Georgeissharinghisdreamswithhisdate.
Well,notjustonewish.Awholehatful,Mary.Imshakingthedustofthiscrummylittletownoffmy
feetandImgoingtoseetheworld.Italy,Greece,theParthenon,theColiseum.ThenImcomingback
hereandgotocollegeandseewhattheyknowandthenImgoingtobuildthings.Imgonnabuildair
fields.Imgoingtobuildskyscrapersahundredstorieshigh.ImgonnabuildbridgesamilelongAnd
thenImgonnaHey,whatareyougonnathrowarocktoo?

PotterfromItsAWonderfulLifebyDougRand
Potterisconfrontinghisyoungnemesis.
Lookatyou.Youusedtobesococky!Youweregoingtogooutandconquertheworld!What
areyounowbutawarped,frustratedyoungman?Amiserablelittleclerkcrawlinginhereon
your hands and knees and begging for help. No stocks, no bonds nothing but a miserable
little fivehundreddollar equity in a life insurance policy. Youre worth more dead than alive!
Whydontyougototheriffraffyoulovesomuchandaskthemtoletyouhaveeightthousand?
Youknowwhy?Becausetheydrunyououtoftownonarail.