Cinderella & All My Sons Workshop: Monday, September 9th, 2019

Play Background Written during the “Golden Age of Broadway” Written by Arthur Miller shortly after WWII Patriotism was at its peak Miller’s first successful play First play to be awarded a Tony Award for Best Play (…and Best Director) Arthur Miller Greek Theater—American Style Genius as Writer Challenging, rich, complex characters ever

Historical Context Focus of Play: America WWII At home (America), many businesses adjusted what they manufactured to help with the war effort Businesses were often under great pressure to make their goods fast enough to keep up with the demand Based off of True Story: Ohio: company conspired with army inspection officer to approve defective aircraft engines destined for military use

All My Son’s Connection Premise: Joe Keller and Steve Deever own a business manufacturing parts for the war One morning, something happens to the process, and the parts start coming out with small cracks in them Steve calls Joe to ask him what to do: Version One: Joe is too sick to come to the phone/office—Steve sends the parts anyway—21 aircrafts fail (MURDER—STEVE) Version Two: Joe doesn’t come to the phone the first time. The second time, he tells Steve to send the parts and promises to take the blame (MURDER—STEVE AND JOE). What happens as a result??? Steve and Joe are arrested for murder. Steve is convicted Joe is exonerated

Where are we when the play begins??? Several years have passed Larry (first son of Joe) is still missing Chris (second son of Joe) has returned and wants to marry Ann (Larry’s girl and Steve’s daughter) Driving force of play (1) Can this happen? and (2) is Joe innocent or guilty? Themes: Responsibility: who are we responsible to? Why? Greek Tragedy: Kellers and Deevers (royalty) Maturity and Realism The American Dream

Characters: Unique Acting Experience: Diary of Anne Frank vs. All My Sons Historical figures—Real people Freedom: Event—Historical Play—Fictional Result? opportunity to make character entirely your own Every actor: RICH: believable, complex, raw characters Powerful moments Apex—character study (so much to learn!)

Characters: Keller Family Joe: The Father 61—a self-made man (successful businessman who places family above all else) Not well educated, but certainly street-smart (had to make his way from an early age) People like him—he has a rough charisma. The audience must like him. Kate: The Mother Slightly younger than Joe. Quite likable—a strong woman even if she may not always appear this way She sticks to story: Larry will return (I think she knows the truth but puts holding her family together above all else) Chris: The Son Who Survived Another likeable character Has fallen in love with his lost brother’s girl He has a strong moral compass (war has changed him). He is the conscience of the play. He has some of the best lines of the play. Characters: Keller Family

Characters: The Deever Family Ann: the girlfriend Larry’s girl & daughter of Joe’s former business partner Strong woman who has fallen in love with the wrong man (determined to have something worth living for in her life) Completely likeable, but she is caught up in a situation that can’t end well. Her determination leads to the story’s climax. George: the brother He dominates the action of Act II (only in Act II—but he is a great role to play) He has made a serious mistake regarding his father, but now armed with the truth, is determined to set things right. As a character, he is a tornado. Characters: The Deever Family

Characters: The Rest of the Neighborhood Dr. Jim Bayliss: the neighbor doctor Jim and Sue live in the Deever’s house He knows the truth but keeps the lie (because what is the sense in spreading the truth?) He is a good person caught in a marriage and family life when he really would like to be something more Sue Baylis: the wife She, like her husband, knows the truth Determined to maintain her way of life/her family Not always likeable, but strong (and you understand her) Frank Lubey: another neighbor Easy going—the neighborhood nice guy Sometimes his timing/what he says is just wrong Lydia Lubey: Frank’s wife—used to be George’s girl Good natured and a bit ditsy-can laugh easily (super likeable) Bert(or Bernice): little kid of neighborhood (8 years old— small) Characters: The Rest of the Neighborhood

Cinderella is a natural joyous girl with a bubbling sense of humor and great honesty. The Fairy Godmother needs help from the audience because she is out of practice and not at all certain her magic is going to work properly. In this comical version of the beloved fairy tale Cinderella’s slipper is tried on youngster in the audience, who are consulted as to whether the wicked stepmother and stepsisters should be turned into happy people. In addition to audience engagement and delightful characters, there is a place for the Lords and Ladies of the court to perform court dances. Of course, Cinderella and Prince live happily ever after. A Children’s Play By Ruth Newton

Characters Cinderella Prince Charming Stepmother Matilda, Griselda, & Frump   Fairy Godmother Prime Minister Duke Ladies One, Two, & Three Lords and Ladies of the Court

AUDITIONING TIPS Perception: Confident and Likable BEGINNING OF AUDITION Posture Eye Contact Handing Sheet Where do I look during a monologue?!?! END OF AUDITION Smile & Make Eye Contact Say THANK YOU Walk out confidently NO MATTER WHAT

Auditions: AMS Scenes & Cinderella Monolgoues Step One: take out your theater handbook and read the auditioning section—carefully Step Two: find several characters (1-3) that you would like to audition for (be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses) Step Three: find the speeches/scenes assigned to the characters you would like to play Step Four: If it is a speech on your own—get to work  If it is a scene with one or more people—find (a) partner(s) and get to work  When preparing the monologue/scene, keep in mind ways you can embody that character vocally, physically, and mentally Step Five: Be confident in the work you’d done and NAIL THOSE AUDITIONS!

Final Reminders: AUDITIONS: CALL BACKS: PERFORMANCE DATES: Tuesday, September 10th OR Thursday, September 12th (beginning at 3:45/3:50 in the Choir Room) CALL BACKS: Friday, September 13th(beginning at 3:45/3:50 in the Choir Room) PERFORMANCE DATES: Cinderella: October 19th, 20th All My Sons: November 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th Audition Forms Hand Out Monologues/Scenes WFBHSTHEATER.COM/Auditions Break a Leg—YOU CAN DO THIS!