Auditions are closed for this play.
A Courtroom Drama, Intended For Mature Audiences.
by: Tom Topor
Directed by: Brent A. Stringfield
Produced by:Merrill Gill & Ruth Woodbeck
*Callbacks will be by invitation Wednesday, November 27, if required. First read-through will be on Saturday, November 30.
*PowPAC Theater is located at 13250 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 (Upstairs)
*Auditions will consist of cold reads.
*No particular accents required.
*Please bring a resume of theatrical experience and a head shot.
*Appointments not necessary.
*For additional information and questions, please contact the Director at albeewoolf@yahoo.com (Subject: NUTS Auditions).
*Watch for updated information on our Auditions webpage at www.powpac.org.
Rehearsals and Performance Dates:
*Rehearsals will be scheduled Monday -Thursday 6:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday evenings may be added within the last two-three weeks of rehearsals, if required.
*Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. from Friday, January 24, 2020 – Sunday, February 23, 2020. Saturday, February 8th will have a matinee performance at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 8:00 pm.
Age: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Light
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Strong and Silent type. Level-headed and even tempered. Harry is the only one that Claudia trusts as he is the only one that shows her kindness and any empathy; but he is an Officer of the Court, first and foremost. He is unmoved by what he sees and hears in Court. That said, he still has a sense of justice and can see on his own if Claudia is sane or not.
Aaron Levinsky:
Age: 30 – 40
Ethnicity: Jewish
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Public Defender assigned to the case after Claudia fires her attorney hired by her family. Did not choose the case, but will fight for Claudia with all he can. Smart and willing to take risks for his client; he will force the issue, even when Claudia insists that he doesn’t.
Franklin Macmillan:
Age: 40 – 60
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Prosecuting Attorney who treats this as “routine” case but has never seen someone like Claudia Draper. Well Educated and comes from a wealthy family. Earned his degree and is a strong and well-educated and knowledgeable Attorney. Identifies with the Kirks and has convinced them that committing Claudia is the best for “everyone” concerned in this case.
The Recorder:
Age: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Gender: Woman
Line Load: Light
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: The Recorder has few lines, but will provide the “epilogue” at the end of the show informing the audience of Claudia’s fate and the fate of other characters. The Report is smart and an expert in her field. What she sees and hears does not phase here but certainly does not go unnoticed by her. The Reporter will be professionally attired and operate a stenography machine.
Rose Kirk:
Age: Early to Mid-50s
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: A loving wife that truly loves her daughter; but cannot relate to her…hasn’t related to her in many years. Appearances are important to her, as her standing in the community without being snobbish. Rose is scared and wants the best for her daughter but also seeks answer from her, as well. To keep her second marriage, she refused to believe or see what was happening in her home; but when it is brought to light, Rose is truly horrified.
Arthur Kirk:
Age: Mid to Late 50s
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Arthur is a loving husband. He has a “savior complex” where Rose and Claudia are concerned. Arthur is a likeable man but uses his money and social position to make things happen. He was a kind father, but did not know how to be a father. What first started with using money as a motivator with Claudia; it later moved to sexual abuse. This will be a challenging role to play; especially in Act 3, after the abuse is revealed while Arthur is on the stand. Arthur must be likable to start and be revealed as not what he seems.
Dr. Herbert Rosenthal:
Age: 35 - 50
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Dr. Rosenthal is one of two Psychiatrists that evaluated Claudia to determine if Claudia is sane enough to stand trial for Manslaughter; but the only one to testify. Although he is put-off by Claudia, he truly believes that Claudia is in need of psychiatric treatment and should be committed “for her own good.” At first, he is at the hearing out of obligation, but as the day continues, he takes more notice and is more engaged in the proceeding.
Judge Murdoch:
Age: 60+
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Light - Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Judge Murdoch has been on the bench for many years and has presided over many of these types of hearings. Although he is less formal (no robes) for this hearing, he still expects (and gets) the respect the he and the law deserves. He is patient with Levinsky’s inexperience and makes concessions for Claudia, but do not confuse that with being easy or an ineffectual Jurist.
Claudia Faith Kirk Draper:
Age: 30 - 35
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Do not let Claudia’s appearance and outbursts confuse you. She is a desperate woman fighting for her freedom. As she demonstrates, the circumstances that have led her to this hearing were based on choices she chose to make after she was left by her husband and no longer trusts her Mother and Step-Father. But Claudia is conflicted for her love of them and the distrust they have caused. Claudia is intelligent and attractive; and has relied on her intelligences more than her looks or her upbringing. Claudia is a survivor and does not wallow in self-pity as so many might have in the same circumstances. Claudia’s strong-will gets the better of her and when it is all said and done she appreciate what Levinsky does for her.
A Broadway hit, Nuts has been called the best courtroom melodrama since Witness for the Prosecution and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Set in a courtroom in New York's Bellevue Hospital, the story follows a high-priced call girl incarcerated on a charge for killing a violent "john". The State, represented by a court appointed psychiatrist and an aggressive prosecutor, say Claudia Faith Draper is unfit to stand trial. As testimony from experts, physicians and her parents unfolds, with her psyche and childhood dissected, she proves to the judge that she isn't "nuts" and stands legally sane at trial for manslaughter.
Nuts
Jan 24th-Feb 23rd 2020
A Courtroom Drama, Intended For Mature Audiences.
by: Tom Topor
Directed by: Brent A. Stringfield
Produced by:Merrill Gill & Ruth Woodbeck
Audition Notes:
*Auditions Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26, 2019. 7:00-10:00 p.m. (arrive early for paperwork and schedule comparison)*Callbacks will be by invitation Wednesday, November 27, if required. First read-through will be on Saturday, November 30.
*PowPAC Theater is located at 13250 Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064 (Upstairs)
*Auditions will consist of cold reads.
*No particular accents required.
*Please bring a resume of theatrical experience and a head shot.
*Appointments not necessary.
*For additional information and questions, please contact the Director at albeewoolf@yahoo.com (Subject: NUTS Auditions).
*Watch for updated information on our Auditions webpage at www.powpac.org.
Rehearsals and Performance Dates:
*Rehearsals will be scheduled Monday -Thursday 6:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday evenings may be added within the last two-three weeks of rehearsals, if required.
*Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. from Friday, January 24, 2020 – Sunday, February 23, 2020. Saturday, February 8th will have a matinee performance at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 8:00 pm.
Cast Requirements:
Officer Harry Haggerty: Age: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Light
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Strong and Silent type. Level-headed and even tempered. Harry is the only one that Claudia trusts as he is the only one that shows her kindness and any empathy; but he is an Officer of the Court, first and foremost. He is unmoved by what he sees and hears in Court. That said, he still has a sense of justice and can see on his own if Claudia is sane or not.
Aaron Levinsky:
Age: 30 – 40
Ethnicity: Jewish
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Public Defender assigned to the case after Claudia fires her attorney hired by her family. Did not choose the case, but will fight for Claudia with all he can. Smart and willing to take risks for his client; he will force the issue, even when Claudia insists that he doesn’t.
Franklin Macmillan:
Age: 40 – 60
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Prosecuting Attorney who treats this as “routine” case but has never seen someone like Claudia Draper. Well Educated and comes from a wealthy family. Earned his degree and is a strong and well-educated and knowledgeable Attorney. Identifies with the Kirks and has convinced them that committing Claudia is the best for “everyone” concerned in this case.
The Recorder:
Age: Any
Ethnicity: Any
Gender: Woman
Line Load: Light
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: The Recorder has few lines, but will provide the “epilogue” at the end of the show informing the audience of Claudia’s fate and the fate of other characters. The Report is smart and an expert in her field. What she sees and hears does not phase here but certainly does not go unnoticed by her. The Reporter will be professionally attired and operate a stenography machine.
Rose Kirk:
Age: Early to Mid-50s
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: A loving wife that truly loves her daughter; but cannot relate to her…hasn’t related to her in many years. Appearances are important to her, as her standing in the community without being snobbish. Rose is scared and wants the best for her daughter but also seeks answer from her, as well. To keep her second marriage, she refused to believe or see what was happening in her home; but when it is brought to light, Rose is truly horrified.
Arthur Kirk:
Age: Mid to Late 50s
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Arthur is a loving husband. He has a “savior complex” where Rose and Claudia are concerned. Arthur is a likeable man but uses his money and social position to make things happen. He was a kind father, but did not know how to be a father. What first started with using money as a motivator with Claudia; it later moved to sexual abuse. This will be a challenging role to play; especially in Act 3, after the abuse is revealed while Arthur is on the stand. Arthur must be likable to start and be revealed as not what he seems.
Dr. Herbert Rosenthal:
Age: 35 - 50
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Dr. Rosenthal is one of two Psychiatrists that evaluated Claudia to determine if Claudia is sane enough to stand trial for Manslaughter; but the only one to testify. Although he is put-off by Claudia, he truly believes that Claudia is in need of psychiatric treatment and should be committed “for her own good.” At first, he is at the hearing out of obligation, but as the day continues, he takes more notice and is more engaged in the proceeding.
Judge Murdoch:
Age: 60+
Ethnicity: Any
Line Load: Light - Medium
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Judge Murdoch has been on the bench for many years and has presided over many of these types of hearings. Although he is less formal (no robes) for this hearing, he still expects (and gets) the respect the he and the law deserves. He is patient with Levinsky’s inexperience and makes concessions for Claudia, but do not confuse that with being easy or an ineffectual Jurist.
Claudia Faith Kirk Draper:
Age: 30 - 35
Ethnicity: WASP
Line Load: Heavy
Stage Time: Almost Always on Stage
Characteristics: Do not let Claudia’s appearance and outbursts confuse you. She is a desperate woman fighting for her freedom. As she demonstrates, the circumstances that have led her to this hearing were based on choices she chose to make after she was left by her husband and no longer trusts her Mother and Step-Father. But Claudia is conflicted for her love of them and the distrust they have caused. Claudia is intelligent and attractive; and has relied on her intelligences more than her looks or her upbringing. Claudia is a survivor and does not wallow in self-pity as so many might have in the same circumstances. Claudia’s strong-will gets the better of her and when it is all said and done she appreciate what Levinsky does for her.
Plot Synopsis:
When strong-willed, high-class call girl Claudia Draper is indicted for manslaughter in the first degree after killing a client in self-defense, her mother Rose and stepfather Arthur attempt to have her declared mentally incompetent, which would prevent a trial and cause Claudia to be institutionalized. Public defender Aaron Levinsky is assigned to her case, but Claudia is angry and distrustful of everybody, and she resists his help, disrupting both her examinations by psychiatrist Herbert Rosenthal and her court hearings. As findings progress, new insights into Claudia's entire life experience, including sexual abuse by her stepfather, begin to surface.A Broadway hit, Nuts has been called the best courtroom melodrama since Witness for the Prosecution and The Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Set in a courtroom in New York's Bellevue Hospital, the story follows a high-priced call girl incarcerated on a charge for killing a violent "john". The State, represented by a court appointed psychiatrist and an aggressive prosecutor, say Claudia Faith Draper is unfit to stand trial. As testimony from experts, physicians and her parents unfolds, with her psyche and childhood dissected, she proves to the judge that she isn't "nuts" and stands legally sane at trial for manslaughter.
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