Auditions – The Outsider

Directed by Jim McRae

Audition dates: November 9th and 10th. 7:00 at BST’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). 1644 1st Ave N.

Performance dates: January 30 – February 9

Synopsis:

The play is “The Outsider” singular, not “The Outsiders” plural. There are no gangs, no Sodapop or Ponyboy. This story is much funnier.

Ned Newley doesn’t want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are bad. To his Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate to ever run for office. This non-partisan comedy is timely and hilarious as it skewers politics and celebrates democracy.

Cast:

3 women, 4 men

Cast of Characters

PAIGE CALDWELL, female, 20s to 40s. 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.

DAVE RILEY, male, 30s/40s. The Chief of Staff to the new Governor. Very smart, but—despite years of experience in government—endearingly earnest and naive on the subject of politics.

LOUISE PEAKES, female, 30s to 50s. A temporary employee hired as the Governor’s executive assistant. Personable, likable, impressively confident, and entirely inept. Without knowing it, she has the air of a politician about her. The friendliness of her smile, and the confident way she looks you in the eye, would make you think, “I’d vote for her.”

NED NEWLEY, male, 50s/60s. The new Governor. A person of impressive ability, but a complete lack of confidence. A man awaiting permission to enter a room in which he is already standing.

ARTHUR VANCE, male, 50s/60s. One of the most experienced and successful political consultants in the country. His overbearing personality, and confidence in his own opinions over the opinions of others, should make him dislikable, but his ego is more than tempered by the joy—even glee—he brings into the room. He’s a showman, but his excitement is 100% genuine, and it’s contagious.

RACHEL PARSONS, female, 30s. A TV reporter. She has the looks to be an on-air correspondent—though, if television had never been invented, she still would have been a journalist. Straightforward and honest, and inquisitive by nature. She’s seen enough of life—and politics—to be cynical, but she’s more apt to make a wry joke.

A. C. PETERSEN, male, 30s to 50s. A TV camera man. A working man, and—for most people—the guy you didn’t notice was there. Which is fine with A. C.; he has a low tolerance for idiocy, and would rather not interact with anyone. His near-silence doesn’t make him seem unfriendly, just a bit of a mystery.

Auditions will be readings from the script. You may get a script from the box office and peruse it in the lobby, if desired. You do not have to come to auditions on both nights, but you are welcome. If you have questions, you may call the box office or email bstTheOutsider@gmail.com.