WHEN: Saturday, May 31st, 2025 beginning at 5PM OR Sunday, June 1st, 2025 beginning at 3PM. Choose ONE date to audition. Callbacks will be Monday, June 2nd , 2025 (if needed).

WHERE: New Hope Church (1404 W 400 N Columbus, IN 47203)

WHO CAN AUDITION: Anyone ages 8-98! The Kids chorus will be ages 8-12 and all other roles will be ages 13+.

HOW TO PREPARE: Auditions will include singing cuts from the show (available in advance), script reading, and possible cold/sight singing.

AUDITION FORMS & WAIVERS: You can fill out a digital audition form prior to auditioning here. Additionally, you can review our participation waiver in advance here. Paper copies of both will be present at auditions. A waiver must be signed by each actor auditioning in person and every cast member.

VIRTUAL AUDITIONS: Virtual auditions are also available for this production if you cannot attend one of the in-person audition dates. Submissions are due by 8PM on May 30th, 2025.
Note: Virtual auditioners might not be considered for principal parts.
For more information and to submit your video, email the director: MMaurey@millracetheatre.org.

CASTING AND REHEARSALS: The cast list will be released on the MRTC website and social media pages on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025. Rehearsals begin Thursday, June 5th, 2025. Rehearsals vary by role (1-4 nights per week). All cast must attend every night during the final two weeks. For a full character list breakdown, expand the next section below.

PERFORMANCE DATES:
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
Friday, July 18th, 2025
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
Sunday, July 20th, 2025

PARTICIPATION FEE: There will be a $25 participation fee for each cast member to be used toward productions expenses, payable in the first week of rehearsals. Scholarships are available upon request. Please reach out to our Production Manager, Allison Kunkler (allisonkunkler@millracetheatre.org) or more information.

QUESTIONS: Email Director Mikki Maurey (MMaurey@millracetheatre.org)

There are plenty of ways to get involved backstage or on staff. Please visit our “Get Involved” page and fill out the form, or send us a direct message on Facebook or Instagram.

If you need to submit an anonymous incident report for this production, please fill out this form linked here.

Alice Murphy plays both ages 16–17 and 36–37. At 36–37, Alice is an editor at a Southern literary magazine—intelligent, professional, and quietly melancholy. Her younger self is rebellious, adventurous, and eager to escape small-town life. The role requires a very strong vocalist who is comfortable singing in folk and bluegrass styles. 

Billy Cane is a young soldier returning home from World War II. An aspiring writer, he is optimistic, charming, open-hearted, and slightly naïve. Stage age: 20s. 

Daddy Cane is Billy’s father, a widower who is kindhearted, spry, and quietly lonely. Stage age: 40–70. 

Margo Crawford is a small-town bookstore owner and Billy’s childhood friend. Intelligent and naturally warm, she harbors romantic feelings for Billy. Stage age: 20s. 

Max is a customer at Margo’s bookstore who initially has a crush on her and later becomes Edna’s beau. Stage age: 18–35. 

Florence works at Margo’s bookstore and is a childhood friend of both Billy and Margo. Stage age: 20s. 

Edna is an employee at Margo’s bookstore. Stage age: 18–35. 

Daryl Ames is an assistant at a literary magazine. He is funny with a dry, officious sense of humor—socially awkward but endearing and innately likable. Stage age: mid-20s–50. 

Lucy Grant is a junior editor at a literary magazine. She is ambitious, modern, sharp-witted, and professionally driven, representing the changing role of women in the 1940s workplace. Stage age: 20–35. 

Mama Murphy is Alice’s mother, a warm and compassionate caretaker of both her family and rural community. She is hardworking, sensible, and quietly strong. Stage age: 50–65. 

Daddy Murphy is Alice’s father, a stern and authoritative man who is deeply religious and proud of his hard-earned life as a poor farmer. Stage age: 50–70. 

Mayor Josiah Dobbs is the Mayor of Zebulon and a powerful political and financial figure. Distinguished and imposing, his controlling nature and obsession with protecting his family legacy ultimately lead to irrevocable cruelty. Stage age: 45–75. 

Jimmy Ray Dobbs is played at two ages: 18–20 and 38–40. In flashbacks, he is the Mayor’s son and Alice’s young love—handsome, intelligent, and morally grounded, with the courage to stand up to his father. The same actor portrays Jimmy Ray later in life, carrying the weight of past choices. 

Stanford is Mayor Dobbs’ loyal assistant. Stage age: 45–75. 

Dr. Norquist is the local family doctor in Zebulon. Stage age: 45–75. 

Government Clerk works at the Office of Records in Raleigh. Stage age: 35–75. 

Well-Dressed Woman is a resident of Raleigh. Stage age: 30–50. 

Ensemble:

• Up to 12 (some will receive small speaking roles) 

• Strong vocalists 

• Written for adults 

• Upper-teen performers acceptable for non-speaking roles