HCT to hold auditions for 'Little Women' play

Auditions for the Hendricks Civic Theatre summer play "Little Women" will be held June 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Longstreet Playhouse. Callbacks will be Sunday evening.

Show dates are Aug. 3-5 and 10-12.

The play is an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel and is directed by Tara Carson.

The story revolves around the March family, a mother and her four daughters, as they struggle to keep together while the father is away fighting the Civil War.

Auditions are open to females ages 10-20 and males ages 13-20. Those planning to audition should prepare two contrasting, one-minute monologues.

The characters that will be cast are:

-- Marmee, mother of the March sisters. The character is in her early 40s, but will be played by a young actor aged for the stage. The director is looking for someone with "a natural emotional and physical maturity." She puts on a strong face but is bearing the burdens of her family while her husband is off at war.

-- Meg, the oldest sister. This character grows from ages 16 to 18 during the play. She is often described as the most beautiful of the sisters. She is mature and takes on the role of the second mother, but longs to be a proper lady who falls in love with a wonderful man.

-- Jo, the second sister. This character grows from 14 to 16. She is described as "a tomboy and a dreamer." She is a born leader and dreams of going on a great adventure. She has a big heart but is easily hurt or angered.

-- Beth, the third sister. This character grows from12 to 14. She is the voice of the sisters' conscious and exudes sweetness and compassion. Frail and kind, she is able to care about others in a way that exceeds her years and wishes that all her sisters will remain at home forever.

-- Amy, the youngest sister. This character grows from 10 to 12. She desires to be an artist, but being the spoiled child she is, also desires whatever anyone else has. Though she cares about her sisters she would be the last to admit it. She matures greatly during the play.

-- John, Meg's love and Laurie's tutor. He ages from 20 to 22. He is proper, but so romantic that he often loses his composure around Meg.

-- Laurie, Jo's male best friend. He ages from 14 to 16. Exuberant and passionate, he is in many ways the opposite of John. He tends to wear his heart on his sleeve and acts on his feelings.

The ages are not concrete. It is, however, important to look that age in relation to the rest of the characters.

Rehearsals begin June 18 and will be five days a week (Monday-Thursday, Saturday).