Jackson County Community Theatre will hold auditions for the first show of the 2022-23 mainstage season at 7 p.m. July 17, 24 and 25 at Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown.
The comedy “The Outsider” by Paul Slade Smith will be presented in September.
In today’s modern age of politics, it has become about who you know and not what you know or the less you know, the higher you’ll go. Smith’s comedy takes a hard look at modern politics with amazing satire and real characters.
The hero of the story is an average guy, Ned Newly, the former lieutenant governor. When a scandal forces the governor to resign, Ned has to step into the spotlight. The play opens just after Ned has given his first speech as the new governor. It was possibly the worst speech in history.
Ned’s chief of staff, Dave, and his pollster, Paige, are trying to do damage control after Ned’s performance. Paige learns from Dave that Ned has been doing all of the work for the previous governor for years.
While we soon realize Ned is the perfect person to run the state, the public sees him as the worst person to run their state.
With a colorful cast of supporting characters, Louise (a bubbly new temp brought on to be Ned’s secretary), Arthur (one of the best political consultants in the country whose confidence in his abilities is so infectious, everyone is dazzled by his showmanship), Rachel (a sarcastic television reporter who has covered enough politics that to her, everything is pretty much a pitiful joke, like Ned’s first speech) and A.C. (Rachel’s cameraman, a common Joe and a quiet voice of reason and wisdom), we watch as a transition of Ned unfolds from an “outsider” to the face of the state.
John Boyken is the director. He is a new director to JCCT, though he has had extensive experience elsewhere. He appeared in the role of George Bailey in JCCT’s 2020 production of “It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Show.”
Show dates for “The Outsider” are Sept. 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24. Those trying out should make sure of their availability on those dates and also bring a list of any dates that would potentially conflict with rehearsals. No other preparation is necessary.
Parts are available for three women and four men. Ages listed are only as a guide.
Paige Caldwell: Age 20s to 40s. She is a professional pollster, a smart, confident woman with a professional’s view of politics. She sees it as a series of contests to be won.
Louise Peakes: Age 30s to 50s. She is a temp, hired as the governor’s executive assistant, a job she mistakes to be assistant governor. She is personable, likeable, impressively confident and entirely inept.
Rachel Parsons: Age 30s. She is a television reporter. She has the looks of an on-air correspondent and the heart of a journalist.
Dave Riley: Age 30s to 40s. The chief of staff to the new governor, Dave is very smart, but despite years of experience in government, endearingly earnest and naïve on the subject of politics.
Ned Newley: Age 50s to 60s. He was lieutenant governor who has just become governor due to the resignation of his predecessor, who left office because of a scandal. Ned is a person of impressive ability but a complete lack of confidence who had no desire for this job.
Arthur Vance: Age 50s to 60s. He is a preeminent political consultant for many successful national politicians. He is overbearing and overconfident but 100% genuine. He has volunteered to take on the governor as a challenge.
A.C. Petersen: Age 30s to 40s. He is the TV cameraman. He’s a man who prefers to go about his work unnoticed. He has a low tolerance for idiocy and would rather not interact with anyone. His near silence makes him seem a bit of a mystery. He has few lines until the end when he speaks up.
JCCT is interested in increasing the number of people participating in areas such as lights, sound, costuming, set building and stage crews. No experience is necessary, and training is provided.
Anyone interested may attend auditions or contact JCCT at [email protected].