Join us for open auditions 3:00 – 5:00 pm on Sunday, 1/30/2022.
Auditions will involve cold readings from the script.
Play is produced by Bicentennial Park.
Information: bipark@joliet.gov 815-724-3761
“These Shining Lives” is a play written by Melanie Marnich. It is based on the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company – a watch factory based in Ottawa, Illinois. This will be staged March 24 and 25 with at least one a school matinee. It will be in honor of Women’s History Month. The play is written for a minimum of six actors, with the play suggesting actors can ‘double-up’ on two or more roles. The four women of the story are pitched as being in their mid-late twenties. A full character list, as per the script, is provided below.
FEMALE LEADS
Catherine Donohue – The main protagonist. The actor is required to switch between her character in the part of the narrator and her character in the story as she succumbs to radium poisoning.
Charlotte Purcell – Straight talking and tough. Although she is sharp when she first meets Catherine, they soon become good friends.
Frances O’Connell – Viewed as having the moral backbone of the four women, which could suggest she is a little older.
Pearl Payne – Easy-going and chatty. Likens to Catherine straight away.
MALE LEADS
Tom Donohue – Catherine’s husband.
Mr Reed – Radium Dial Supervisor.
OTHER NAMED CHARACTERS
Dr Rowntree – Makes a brief appearance promoting the perceived value of ‘Radium’.
Dr Dalitsch – Doctor in Chicago who diagnoses radium poisoning.
Leonard Grossman – The attorney who agrees to take the case to court.
UNNAMED SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Company Doctor – Makes a brief appearance as the first doctor to evaluate the women.
Judge – appears in the court cases.
Son – Son of Catherine and Tom.
Daughter – Daughter of Catherine and Tom.
Reporter 1 – Reports on court case.
Reporter 2 – Reports on court case.
Radio Announcer – Advertisement for radium.
