“Bus Stop” Auditions
Auditions For “Bus Stop”
Written by William Inge
Directed by Jo Bledsoe-Collins
PERFORMANCE DATES:
March 28th – April 13th, 2025
Fri/Sat at 7:30 PM
Sun at 2:00 PM
All rehearsals and performances will take place at Olathe Civic Theatre Association (500 E Loula St, Olathe KS 66061) unless otherwise specified.
AUDITION AND CALLBACK INFORMATION:
Auditions will take place Saturday, January 4th and Sunday, January 5th from 2:00-5:00 PM at The Salvation Army Olathe Corps Community Centers (420 E Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS 66061).
Callbacks will be held by director invitation only on Tuesday, January 7th from 7:00 to 10:00 PM.
WHAT TO PREPARE/BRING:
– Auditions will consist of cold-readings from the script, which can be found HERE.
– Bring a headshot (if available) and resume of recent theatre experience. If you do not have a headshot or resume, please do not let that stop you from auditioning! We can take a photo and get additional information when you arrive!
– Bring a list of all anticipated rehearsal conflicts from February 10th- March 20th. No conflicts will be accepted from March 23rd through the end of the run. An excessive amount of conflicts will affect our ability to cast you in the show.
If you cannot make the audition dates and still wish to audition, please email director Jo Bledsoe-Collins at legolasbow777@yahoo.com.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will begin February 10th and will run Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00pm at OCTA.
Tech Week: March 23rd through the 27th.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
“In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning. Cherie, a nightclub chanteuse in a sparkling gown and a seedy fur-trimmed jacket, is the passenger with most to worry about. She’s been pursued, made love to and finally kidnapped by a twenty-one-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull. The belligerent cowhand is right behind her, ready to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. Even as she’s ducking out from under his clumsy but confident embraces, and screeching at him fiercely to shut him up, she pauses to furrow her forehead and muse, “Somehow deep inside of me I got a funny feeling I’m gonna end up in Montana …” As a counterpoint to the main romance, the proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver at last find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middle-age scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance.” (Dramatists Play Service)
ROLES:
The director is seeking a diverse cast from all backgrounds.
Elma Duckworth: female presenting, teen or twenties, innocent, in high school, sweet and smart.
Grace Hoylard: female presenting, thirties to fifties, sharp, independent, owns the restaurant in town.
Will Masters: male presenting, forties to fifties, the Sheriff in town.
Cherie: female presenting, twenties to mid-thirties, a chanteuse (nightclub singer), speaks with a Southern accent (Ozarks), must be able to sing.
Dr. Gerald Lyman: male presenting, forties to mid sixties, a former college professor.
Carl: male presenting, thirties to fifties, a bus driver, in a relationship with Grace.
Virgil Blessing: male presenting, thirties to forties, a ranch hand, friends with Bo, plays the guitar (would prefer an actor that can play the guitar but can be open), speaks with a mid-western accent.
Bo Decker: male presenting, twenties to mid thirties, a rancher and cowboy, strong, in love with Cherie, speaks with a mid-western accent.
QUESTIONS:
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the director, Jo Bledsoe-Collins, at legolasbow777@yahoo.com.