Two actors, a stunning script, and no lines to learn. Love Letters is read straight from the page, which means a small handful of rehearsals (mostly in a schedule and location that works for you) and no memorising, a rare chance to sink into a meaty, funny, deeply moving role without the usual commitment.
The play itself is a Pulitzer Prize finalist that's drawn stars like Kathleen Turner, Christopher Reeve, Carol Burnett and Alan Alda to the two lead roles. It tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner through the letters they write each other from childhood to old age. Andy is steady and dutiful. Melissa is wild and funny. On paper they tell each other everything. In person, it's never quite that simple.
We're casting several pairs for this season, so more people get the chance to take the stage, and audiences see a different interpretation of the script at each performance.
Saturday 5 December, 10:00am - 11:30am
Saturday 5 December, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Tuesday 8 December, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday 10 December, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
ANDREW MAKEPEACE LADD III ("Andy")
Andy is the golden boy who always does the right thing, and knows it. Raised on duty, obligation and old-money expectation, he moves steadily through prep school, Yale, the Navy, law school and eventually the Senate, ticking every box his upbringing set out for him. He's earnest, a little stuffy, and genuinely loves to write, letters are where he feels most himself, most honest, most alive. Underneath the discipline is a real tenderness and a real longing for Melissa that he can never quite act on when it counts. Played well, Andy is warm rather than cold, sincere rather than smug; his uptightness should feel like a cage he's only occasionally aware of, not a personality flaw to be mocked. The actor needs range from awkward seven-year-old to assured Senator, and the stillness to let real feeling show through a very controlled man in the final letters.
MELISSA GARDNER
Melissa is quick, funny, and constitutionally incapable of doing what's expected of her. She's rich, restless, and hates being told what to feel or when to write about it, her letters are shorter, sharper and far more alive than Andy's, full of jokes, swearing, and sudden bursts of real pain she'd rather laugh off. Behind the wit is a hard childhood: an absent father, a drinking mother, a string of boarding schools and stepfathers, and a talent for art she never quite trusts enough to commit to. She needs Andy more than she'll ever admit, and punishes him for it as often as she leans on him. This role asks for comic timing and real emotional depth in the same breath, Melissa can go from a filthy joke to devastating vulnerability in a single line, and the actor needs to find the fragile, frightened person underneath the bravado without losing the humour that makes her so magnetic.
All on stage and backstage roles are voluntary / unpaid in this community theatre production.
Ages 40+. Casting will match this age range.
Commitment. At a busy time of year, our intention is for this to be as low-commitment as possible. This includes: a photoshoot day in January, one-day February weekend group workshop with all cast and coaches, three read-through rehearsals with your coach (if allocated) at times that work for you during February, either in your own homes or at Richards Ave, and a check-in rehearsal with creative director Kate Birch during February at Richards Ave.
Auditions. Held in a group workshop environment. You'll get a perusal script in advance with a selection to prepare, plus a cold-read selection on the day.
Roles. Phoenix Theatre will be casting a number of pairs to bring Love Letters to life, so that at each performance, audiences see a different interpretation of this much-loved script. Each actor will have at least one chance to take the stage, possibly in rotation depending on interest, casting and availability.
Coaches. We're also seeking expressions of interest from anyone who'd like to work with one or more pairs in a coaching capacity, helping bring the director's vision to life.
Pairing: Actors are welcome to sign up solo or nominate a preferred partner. Both actors should register. If auditioning with someone, note their name in the stage partner box below.
Accents: US or mid-Atlantic accents are encouraged, however we're looking for character above all, so don't let accents put you off auditioning.