Woman in Mind
January 20 - February 4, 2012
Woman in Mind
by Alan Ayckbourn
January 20 - February 4, 2012
Directed by J. Alan Hanna
A Comedy/Drama
Dupree Theater
Irving Arts Center
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75062
Fridays & Saturdays, January 20, 21, 27, 28, February 3, 4, 2012 at 8pm.
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 8pm.
Sundays, January 22 & 29, 2012 at 2:30pm.
What would happen if your dreary, everyday life was suddenly replaced with a wonderfully exciting, romantic life? Neglected housewife Susan is married to boring cleric Gerald. One day she gets knocked out by stepping on the tooth end of a garden rake. She experiences hilarious hallucinations in which her oppressive everyday life is replaced by a fantasy in which she is an ideal wife and mother with an ideal family. While her real family treats her with condescension and apathy, her fantasy family dresses in lovely white, always drinks champagne, lives in a stately home and tells her that she is wonderful. Eventually, however, the fantasy family becomes nightmarish and Susan begins to realize that she is going mad. This excellent, dark, witty and surreal comedy is considered to be one of Ayckbourn’s best.
PG13
ICTN Spotlight Video
Production Images
Photo by Mike Morgan
Charles Maxham, Dana Harrison, Neil Rogers.
Photo by Mike Morgan
Dana Harrison as Susan, Charles Maxham as Andy, Neil Rogers as Gerald.
Cast
.jpg) |
JANYE ANDERSON (Muriel) debuts at ICT. Some of her previous roles include Maudie Atkinson (Narrator)/TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Alma/PILLOW TALK, Granny Clampett/BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, Ms. Chauvenet, Betty Chumley & E.J. Lofgren/HARVEY and Brenda, Mavis, Ms. Casey, Gladine, Jan, Mary Alice & Jessie Mae/national tour of NIPPLES TO THE WIND. She portrayed Nellie Connelly in the National Geographic’s JFK ASSASINATION DECLASSIFIED. She thanks Alan Hanna for giving her the opportunity to play this fun part with this wonderful cast. ~ |
.jpg) |
SCOTTIE CORLEY (Tony) debuts at ICT. He graduated from Tarleton State University with a B.F.A. in Theatre. His previous works around DFW include puppetry for Tales from Mount Olympus at Theatre Three, and acting for the sketch show, International Cavalcade of Comedy at C.A.T.S. in Arlington, which he also co-wrote and directed. ~ |
.jpg) |
COLE DE SCHEPPER (Rick) debuts in America. This is his first role outside of Belgium where he played in FICELLES ET MERLES CHANTEURS and the husband/DER THEATERBESUCH, Stepan Stepanovitch Tschubokov/A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, Romeo/ROMEO AND JULIET, The Juggler, the Chief of Soldiers, and Card Player number 3/MISTERO BUFFO. He studied acting at the Académie Grétry. ~ |
.jpg) |
STEPHANIE FISCHER (Lucy) debuts at ICT. Some of her favorite past roles include Kim/BYE BYE BIRDIE, KD Theater, Peter Pan/PETER PAN, Creekview High School, Amy/LITTLE WOMEN, Greater Lewisville Community Theater and Shy/BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Music Theater of Denton. Stephanie can also be seen as Rosalyn in the movie VAMPIRES SUCK, and as Kimberly in SyFy’s HAUNTED HIGH to be released later this year. ~ |
.jpg) |
DANA HARRISON (Susan) debuts at ICT and loves to have the opportunity to work with this talented cast and crew. She is grateful to Alan Hanna for casting her in this fabulous role and for giving her the chance to work with him again. Dana would like to thank her family and friends for their unending support and she thanks God for instilling this passion in her. She is honored to be a recipient of a Column Award for her role as Clairee/STEEL MAGNOLIAS. ~ |
.jpg) |
CHARLES MAXHAM (Andy) returns to ICT MainStage having just played Peter Hunter/NO SEX PLEASE WE’RE BRISTISH, and Tony Kirby/YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Other area performances include: Harold /BLACK COMEDY, Rover Dramawerks and Cunningham, Gilmer, and Boo Radley / TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Garland Civic Theatre. Charles studied acting at Collin College. He would like to thank you all for joining us and hopes you enjoy the show! ~ |
.jpg) |
NEIL ROGERS (Gerald) was last seen at ICT as Mr. Kirby/YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU and Oscar Hubbard/THE LITTLE FOXES. Since then, Neil played Sam/Mr. Halloran/A CATERED AFFAIR at Theater Three and Pops/GYPSY at Lyric Stage. Other credits include: Senator Wingwoah/THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Casa Manana, Horace Vandergelder/HELLO DOLLY, King Arthur/CAMELOT, Luther Billis/SOUTH PACIFIC, Emile de Becque/SOUTH PACIFIC, Jud Fry/OKLAHOMA, and many others. ~ |
.jpg) |
DAVID SMITH (Bill) debuts at ICT and in America. Having grown up in England, Dave has spent the past three years living in Munich Germany where he was a member of an English speaking theatre group. Some of his favorite roles include: Tony Forte / COPACABANA, Cosmo Brown / SINGING IN THE RAIN and Nicely Nicely Johnson / GUYS AND DOLLS. ~ |
Crew
LOIS BAIR (Producer) has enjoyed working with the talented director, designers, cast, and fellow producer of Woman In Mind. She has been involved with ICT MainStage for over 20 years working behind the scenes and on stage. Currently she is serving on the Boards of ICT and the ICT Guild.
CLAYTON CUNNINGHAM (Producer) is producing his second show with ICT. He serves on the ICT board of directors and is active in acting and set building roles. He would like to thank his fellow producer Lois Bair for her tireless efforts to bring WOMAN IN MIND to the stage. Clayton would like to thank his wife, Val, for her love and support.
J. ALAN HANNA (Director) is glad to be back working for ICT again. Alan has been involved in directing, choreographing, stage managing, and acting for many years. He has worked with such organizations as Garland Summer Musicals, Uptown Players, Theatre Three, Grand Prairie Arts Council, Greater Lewisville Community Theatre, and Lyric Stage —just to name a few! Various performance credits include Actor-John/ WHEN PIGS FLY, Man 2/I LOVE YOU, YOUR PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, Schroeder/YOU’RE GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, Cornelius Hackl/HELLO DOLLY, Hawkeye "Walter" Moon/Margaret Mead/HAIR, Hucklebee/THE FANTASTIKS, Ray-Bud/DEARLY DEPARTED, and Bernard / DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. Various directing credits include: PROPOSALS, I LOVE YOU, YOUR PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, MY FAIR LADY, ANNIE, SHERLOCK'S LAST CASE, ANYTHING GOES, STEPPING OUT and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He feels fortunate to be working with such an amazing cast and production staff; thank you for all your hard work! Carlos, thank you for all your support.
STEVEN MERRITT (Stage Manager) has been active as a performer, designer, stage manager, and general dogsbody in the theatre for over twenty years and has found a home with ICT, where he proudly serves on the board of directors. When he's not working on a show he's usually attending one of several theatres in the metroplex. He would like to thank his wife, Melissa, for supporting him in this production, especially through the holiday season.
JORDANA ABRENCIA (Co-Sound Designer) is currently a theatre major at Texas Wesleyan University, where she is focused on set design and sound design. She is also a freelance stagehand, and works with Local 127 and 803. Jordana would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support.
ANDREA ALLMOND (Sound Designer) graduated from Texas Wesleyan University and is currently in the audio department at the Dallas Theater Center. Andrea has recently sound designed for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE and CORPSE! at Theatre Arlington. She is excited to be working at ICT MainStage for the first time.
NATHAN BREDFELDT (Assistant Stage Manager) is honored to be working with and leaning from ICT. Many thanks to all the good people of ICT, especially Steven Merritt. And love to friends and family who lend their support on this road to a profession in the theater (especially sister Stephanie).
ROBERT CLOVER-BROWN (Dialect Coach) is a native Englishman. His diverse work as a Teaching Artist includes coaching English accents, teacher training presentations, and creating/erforming his one man shows as SHAKESPEARE MAN, which combines his love for theatre, literature and history to bring William Shakespeare to life for audiences of students from grade 3, and adults of all ages.
BRIDGET DOAN (Lighting Design) is designing for ICT for the first time. She has recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in Theatre Design. She spent 6 months interning under Brian Gale for the Los Angeles Opera before starting her career in Dallas. Recent regional credits include: ASHER, TX ’82, THE NEW CENTURY, and THE FACTS OF LIFE for Uptown Players Pride Festival, ALCINA for UNT Opera and GODSPELL for UNT Department of Dance and Theatre.
IAN GARLAND (Lightboard Operator) is currently a theater Major with focus in light design at UNT. While at UNT, he has designed lighting for IN THE BLOOD, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLF, THIN THREAD THICK THREAD, and SYNCHRONIZED IMBALANCES. At ICT MainStage he designed lights for LEND ME A TENOR and is working his 6th season with ICT MainStage.
RHONDA GORMAN (Costume Design) is pleased to be working with the wonderful folks at ICT. She holds an MFA in Theatre from SMU, Dallas and a BFA in Theatre from TCU, Fort Worth. Currently Rhonda is serving at Texas Woman’s University as assistant professor of drama in design. She has designed and assisted for theatres in the Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex, Boston and Cincinnati, New York City, Dublin, Ireland and London.
TULLY HALL (Sound Board Operator) works his seventh show for ICT. His past experiences include Stage Crew/TEN NIGHTS IN A BARROOM, Soundboard Op/ FIRST BAPTIST OF IVY GAP, Soundboard Op/THE LITTLE FOXES, Stage Crew/YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, Set Crew Chief/HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS.., Asst Stage Manager/NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH, and Stage Manager/THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE.
LYNN MAULDIN (Properties Design) has been working in theatre since 1966, from Port Arthur to the Dallas area. She approximates her set designs at two, her propping of shows at around 250, and her stage management at 47. She has won two Column awards for stage management, PROPOSALS at GCT, and JOSEPH AND ...DREAMCOAT at the Eisemann. During the day, Lynn works as a physical therapist in home-based therapy in the Dallas area. She would like to thank ICT for this production. Semper fi!
ANDY REDMON (Set Design/Master Carpenter) is working with ICT for the first time. Over the past decade, he has designed shows at area theaters: Garland Civic Theatre, WaterTower Theatre, and Uptown Players. Andy recently designed the regional premier of NEXT TO NORMAL. He is a recipient of multiple Column Awards for Best Scenic Design, and won the Leon Rabin Award for Outstanding Set design for his work on A NEW BRAIN and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! Andy would like to thank Bridget for her support and help on this show.
Auditions
Directed by J. Alan Hanna
Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 2 - 4pm
Monday, November 14, 2011 from 7 - 9pm
Performances: January 20 - February 4, 2012
Auditions will be cold readings from the script.
Please bring headshot/resume or updated photo and resume.
We offer a gas allowance.
Call 972-594-6104 or email info@irvingtheatre.org to schedule an appointment.
Roles: 5 Male, 3 Female
(all roles are available)
8 characters with British accents
3 female roles and 5 male roles ranging in age from early 20’s to 50’s
Those auditioning for the lead role of Susan, should prepare a one minute monolog with British accent. All other auditioners will be asked to read from the script.
Characters
The central character in Woman in Mind is, Susan in her mid-40s. She is a housewife who, in reality, is neglected by her husband, patronized by her sister-in-law, and estranged from her son. In her own imaginary world, by contrast, she is happy, successful, and loved by her perfect family. Susan remains on-stage throughout the play, and everything seen and heard on stage is what is seen and heard by Susan, both real and imagined.
There are four other real characters in the play:
Gerald, mid 40’s to 50’s, Susan's real husband, a vicar whose interest in his wife has long since faded in favor of his book and undivided attention to his sister;
Muriel, early 50s, live-in sister to Gerald, dead weight about the house, self-centered, and an unimaginably bad cook;
Rick, early 20s, Susan's real son, who joined a cult that forbids members to speak to their parents; and
Bill Windsor, mid 40’s, Susan's doctor who has a greater fondness for Susan than one would expect.
Contrasting Susan's own family are three imaginary characters, existing only in Susan's mind (and therefore visible to the audience):
- Andy, slightly younger the Susan, Susan's imaginary husband, handsome, devoted, master cook, and everything missing from Gerald;
- Tony, mid 30’s to 40, Susan's imaginary young brother, again devoted, mischievous, and presumably compensation for Gerald's devotion to Muriel; and
- Lucy, early 20s, Susan's imaginary daughter, beautiful, close, and, unlike Rick, shares every secret with her.
At first, the imaginary characters are distinguished from the real characters by their white summery outfits. However, as Susan's mind goes out of control, the real characters start entering Susan's imaginary world, until it is very difficult to tell what is real and what is pretend.
