Blue Stockings

Character Descriptions

 

So - Blue Stockings. Hmmm.... I know that it is very safe to say that no one is familiar with this show. Welcome to WHS Theatre!

 

It is a fantastic pice and is extremely timely and relevant. It's funny, a little romantic, and incredibly important. I really thing you will love exploring these roles and telling this story.

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Below are some basic insights on the characters. Know, in advance, that we will be discussing the story and characters at length as we progress through this journey and that I do intend to update the story in some ways, while remaining faithful to the original concept as well. This will be "OUR" production. I will absolutely be looking to you all as well for ideas on how to tell this story to our modern audience while remaining rooted in the original story.

 

For auditions, you should be looking for the following:

 

A 60 - 90 sec monologue. It may be serious, dramatic, or humorous. I would suggest looking at works from a similar time period or style of the piece (such as Chekhov, Ibsen, Wilde, Shaw, for example). However, there are also numerous contemporary plays from which you could also make your selection.

 

What I will be looking for are realistic, truthful, developed characters (both physically and emotionally) and a clear and strong understanding of the language/style.

 

We will have callbacks from the script, so you "may" want to take some time now to familiarize yourselves with the story, the characters, their relationships, etc. I will include links/docs to help with this.

 

The following are general concepts of the characters only. 

 

Lyubov Ranevskaya

Ranevskaya Lyubov is the middle-aged owner of the estate and the cherry orchard. She is no stranger to tragedy. She is foolish and loveable. She is generous to the point that it hurts both herself and her family.

Female, aged 45 to 55

 

Anya

Anya is the 17 year old biological, sheltered daughter of Ranevskaya, constantly doted upon by members of the family. She takes a liking to Trofimov and they become quite close, but not romantically involved.

Female, aged 18 to 22

 

Varya

Varya is Ranevskaya’s adopted daughter, and the manager of the estate. She is quick to go into bouts of tears or anger, and is in love with Lopakin. Religious, bossy.

Female, aged 22 to 25

 

Carlotta

Charlotta, Anya’s governess, is somewhat of a clown, but still a significant character, always amusing everyone with her magic tricks, and subtly teasing the servants. Unconventional.

Female, aged 30 to 40

 

Dunyasha

Dunyasha is a maid in Ranevskaya’s estate and is hopelessly in love with Yasha, but gets very little affection in return. Nervous, romantic.

Female, aged 19 to 30

 

Lopakhin

Lopakin used to be the son of serfs that lived on Ranevskaya’s estate before their emancipation. He is involved with Varya but will not propose. He and Ranevskaya cannot seem to understand one another, as she will not listen to his business proposals regarding the cherry orchard. Successful businessman, but awkward, crude.

Male, aged 40 to 50

 

Gayev

Leonid is Ranevskaya’s 51 year old brother, but he certainly doesn’t act his age. He is continuously being hushed by his young nieces when he goes on rants or mutters difficult billiards shots, he needlessly insults those he disagrees with, and he loves candy. Distracted, talkative.

Male, aged 48 to 55

 

Peter Trofimov

Trofimov is the “eternal student,” for he is still at university at 28 years old. He clashes with Ranevskaya because of her romantic nature versus his claim to be “above love.” Philosophical, idealistic.

Male, aged 24 to 29

 

Boris Semyonov-Pishchik

Like Ranevskaya, Pischik is also an impoverished landlowner, nonchalant about his debts, assuming it will somehow work itself out. Kind but annoying.

Male (OR "possibly" Female), aged 50 to 70

 

Semyon Yepihodov

Yepihodov is a bookkeeper who loves Dunyasha, and has proposed. He is endlessly teased by the other characters for his follies. Clumsy, nerdy, plays guitar.

Male, aged 20 to 30

 

Firs

Firs is the 87 year old, mumbling servant who stayed at the estate even after the serfs were freed and misses those good old days.

Male (OR "possibly" Female), aged 75 to 85

 

Yasha

Yasha takes advantage of Ranevskaya and Dunyasha, hates Russia, and is always talking about how much better France is. Cynical.

Male, aged 20 to 35

 

Additional characters (Servants, Guests, A Passerby, the Stationmaster, the Postman) may "possibly" be added, based on interest and auditions.