In Praise of Sparrows

MRTC is world premiering an original work via a staged reading. Read on to learn more about how to make MRTC history! This show is a little different and will only require 4 rehearsals and 3 performances from cast members and will not require line memorization. 

World Premiere Staged Reading series 
The Show: In Praise of Sparrows
An Original Work Written By: Nicole Cunningham
Production Team: Nicole Cunningham, Stephen Planalp, and Sharon Andrews 

Synopsis: 1926–A wedding meant to light a path to the future for a struggling immigrant farming family–kicks off a harrowing series of events. The sole survivor isn’t talking. Decades later, alone and spending her final days in hospice, she meets a caregiver with a tragic past of her own. The two women bond over their pain, and confront the ghosts of their past. “In Praise of Sparrows” presents an exquisitely emotional portrait of the end of life, as it speeds toward a shocking revelation. This play contains mature themes, including references to deaths of a graphic nature (eg fire, suicide, drowning, and natural death.

Show Details

SHOW DATES:
March 22nd at 7:30 pm
May 3rd at 7:30 pm
May 4th at 7:30 pm

Where: Helen Haddad Hall
(315 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN 47201)

TICKETS:
Season Ticket holders should have received an email on April 8th to secure their desired show date. If you did not receive the email, please contact seasontickets@millracetheatre.org. Otherwise, purchase tickets below.

GET TICKETS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Legacy Sponsor:
William Eggleston

Director’s Circle:
Tracy Haddad

Executive Season Sponsors:
First Class Catering

Season Sponsors:
Wealth Wisdom Abundance, LLC
Nancy & Eric Andrews
Jim & Sue Lindhorst
Cheryl Miles-Vieth
Patrick & Sharon Andrews

Production Sponsor:
Taylor Bros. Construction Co., Inc.


Activities are made possible in part by the Columbus Area Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Generously supported by Columbus Area Visitors Center (www.columbus.in.us).

  • WHEN: March 4 or 5, 2024 at 6:30pm. Choose ONE date to audition. 

    WHERE: The Commons (300 Washington St, Columbus) 

    • Lower Conference Room (3/4) 

    • Xenia Miller Conference Room (3/5) 

    WHO: Actors, aged 8+

    • 22 speaking parts available for a diverse cast 

    • Some speaking parts for young actors with majority of roles for adult actors. 

    • We are seeking senior actors for significant roles. 

    • We are seeking culturally diverse actors. 

    Please note that there are some mature themes in the play

    HOW TO PREPARE: Review the performance and rehearsal details below, and ensure you are available for the dates listed. Audition will consist of readings from the script in a collaborative environment. For a character breakdown, you can review the “Character Breakdown” section below.

    VIRTUAL AUDITIONS: If you cannot make the scheduled audition, email Production Manager Sharon Andrews at sharonandrews@millracetheatre.org by March 3rd. 

    CASTING AND REHEARSALS: Cast list will be released on the MRTC website and Facebook page by March 8. Due to the nature of the staged reading performances, rehearsals will be minimal for this show. There will only be 4 rehearsals, and they will occur on March 19, 20, 21 at 6-9pm & on May 2 at 6-9pm. Cast will be expected to be at every rehearsal. 

    PERFORMANCE DATES: Performances will occur at 2 different timeframes. There will be a private staged reading on March 22, and public readings on May 3 and 4. Cast will be expected to be at all shows. 

    Questions: Email Production Manager Sharon Andrews at sharonandrews@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. Actors, aged 8+

  • Elderly Lydia
    Age–100
    Born to German immigrants. Bed-bound hospice patient’s past life haunts her in her final days. Restless. Suspicious. But ultimately warms to her caregiver. Has lines in the final act.

    Dr. Elizabeth Barrett
    Age–30s
    Any ethnicityPragmatic on the outside, haunted on the inside by her sister’s death and her father’s coldness.

    Dr. Tejbir Anantha
    30s-40s
    Southeast Asian
    The calm and encouraging voice of the play. The guiding, sensitive light.

    The Keller Family:
    Heinrich:     30’s, German father, optimist, kind, a sort of conflict mediator
    Christine: 30’s, German mother. Stern. Tense. Tends to feel slighted and insecure.
    Bertha: 17. Great beauty. Spunky.
    Antony: 15. Typical teenage boy emerging into manhood.
    Young Lydia: 12. Plucky. Not a typical young lady at all. A dreamer. A bit of a rebel against the customs of her time.

    The Danzer Family:
    Joseph: 18. Sensitive, lovesick older teenage boy.
    Alvina: 12. Young Lydia’s best friend and Joseph’s sister

    The Law:
    Constable Vehling: 40s-60s. Wise voice of law and order.
    Becker: 20s-30s. Constable’s right-hand man. Large, brutish.

    The Town Players:
    Headmistress Schmitt: 40-60s. Busybody. Gossip.
    Deacon Daniels: 30s-40s. Kindhearted churchman
    Julius Zimmer: Late 20s-early 30s. Nerdy, formal, stiff.
    Mr. Zimmer: 50s-60s. Boastful, loud.
    Townsman One: Any age
    Townsman Two: Any age

    Hospice Players
    Fred:     Elderly. Funny. Frail but energized.
    Dominic: Medical assistant. 20s. Funny.
    Elderly Alvina: Stage age 90-100. Uses a walker.

    Elizabeth’s Family
    Ellie:     6. Sweet, if a bit whiny.
    Father: Does not speak, is just present in the graveyard scene.
    Laurel/Mother: Does not speak. She and Ellie appear next to Elizabeth.

    Ensemble Players
    Rabble Rousers (wedding scene–can be townsman one and two)
    Wedding guests (10-20)
    Medical panel, seated (about ten)
    Reunion Players (as many as possible. Fred, Elderly Alvina, etc)