Auditions set for ‘Doubt, A Parable’

Aberdeen Community Theatre will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday (July 1) to discuss auditions for its upcoming production and options for the remaining 2013 plays.

“If you are interested in auditioning or knowing more about ACT and what being in a production requires, please attend Monday’s meeting,” says the theater. “Also attend if you have ideas for upcoming productions and may be able to commit to auditioning at a later time.”

Auditions for “Doubt, A Parable” are at 7 p.m. Tuesday (July 2). Both events will be in the Capitol Theatre, 415 S. Main St.

“Doubt, A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley is a drama set in 1964 in which Sister Aloysius is a Bronx school principal. St. Nicholas School has just admitted its first African-American student, Donald Muller.

Sister Aloysius is concerned that St. Nicholas’s popular priest, Father Flynn, might be making improper advances toward the boy. She enlists the aid of a young teacher, Sister James, in her efforts to validate her concerns and confront Father Flynn.

With Sister James and Donald’s African-American mother, Mrs. Muller, caught in the middle, the priest and principal face off in a battle of wills.

In 2009, the script was made into the Academy Award-nominated film “Doubt.” All four actors in primary roles were also nominated for Academy Awards. The film starred Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysuis, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn, Amy Adams as Sister James and Viola Davis as Mrs. Muller.

One African-American woman, two Caucasian women and one Caucasian man are needed for this production.

Sister Aloysuis Beauvier is a nun of the order of the Sisters of Charity. In her 50s or 60s, she is watchful, reserved and unsentimental. She’s a no-nonsense, hardened administrator, determined to maintain order and tradition. She wears the black bonnet and floor-length black habit of the sisters.

Father Flynn, priest at St. Nicholas Church, has a working-class background. In his 30s or 40s, he is well-liked and particularly popular with the boys that he coaches in basketball. He’s rather modern in his religious views.

Sister James, the eighth-grade teacher of Donald Muller, is in her 20s. She is a member of the Sisters of Charity and wears the bonnet and habit. She is reserved, but there is “a bit of sunshine in her heart.” She cares about her students and wants to think the best of everyone.

Mrs. Muller is an African-American woman, 30s to 40s, working class, weary and wary of the world. She has learned to accept what she has to accept and work with it.

Unlike the movie version of this show, Donald Muller is not in this script.

Auditioning actors don’t necessarily have to be in the age ranges listed for the characters but should be able to play in that age range.

Scripts are available for reading in the ACT office, 417 S. Main St. No previous experience is necessary to audition.

Tentative production dates are early August.

Those interested in auditioning or cannot make the scheduled audition times are strongly encouraged to contact the ACT office at 605-225-2228 or act@nvc.net before the Monday meeting to arrange an alternate time.