TEEN AUDITIONS - LEAVING IOWA

Express Yourself at LATTE Theater Summer Acting Clinic For Teens 11 – 19, with a small scene for 8 - 11 year olds.Producing Full Length Shows with 3 Public Performances www.lattetheater.com  708-655-0989 Performances
July 28th and 29th

What's it About?
The critically-acclaimed play, “Leaving Iowa,” by Tim Clue and Spike Manton is a hilarious, family-friendly comedy that is a toast to the idealism and character of parents and a little roast of their unfailing dedication to their family road trip. This comedy about family and family vacations is a show suitable for ages 1 to 101 and was nominated Best New Play in the Country and one of 10 Most Memorable Moments of the year. Produced and Directed by Felicia Pfluger

What makes LATTE Theater?
LATTE is a dynamic theatrical company that serves Chicagoland teens! LATTE Theater develops college to professional level theatricality, collaborative leadership, socio-emotional empowerment, creativity, and critical thinking skills for life. We encourage well rounded, active community participation – all while having a blast making memories.

Teen members learn: directing, assistant directing, stage management, script writing, choreography, set design, prop master, warm-ups, public relations, and advertising.  Whatever the opportunity, the focus is on education and empowerment.

Roles:

Characters (All Played by Teens): 
DON (30’s - 40) – Successful Boston reporter – too busy to attend his father’s funeral three years ago. Must also play young Don in flashbacks – whiny, complaining, and antagonizing his big sister in the back seat of the car, as children have done since the dawn of the automotive age. He is the driver of the play in a gentle inviting way.

DAD (60’s) – He’s a quiet ghost who, in his urn, is Don’s passenger on his journey. Flashbacks show him as Dad the teacher, planning the family vacations around every educational and historical highlight of the American road. He never bought into the fun -- more commercial – attractions along the way, which left the kids begging to stop at “Ghost Caverns” and motels with a pool! He was the ultimate father; the loving boss of the family.

MOM (60’s) – Don’s mom past and present. In flashbacks, always there – the ever-calming influence on Dad and the kids – the ultimate peacemaker on these family road trips – to a point. Currently, still “mothering”, but becoming a little flighty as she ages. Mom feels very guilty for having left Dad in his urn forgotten in the basement for the last three years.

SIS (30’s - 40’s) -- Don’s older sister, past and present. In flashbacks, “Sweet Pea”, as Dad called her, is the typical big sister – overbearing, teasing, sneaky – always baiting Don until he struck back and got blamed for causing the ruckus. The two were always united in their efforts to influence Dad on the vacation plans. In present day, Sis is controlling, somewhat critical, but obviously loves her family.

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS, MALE (Multiple roles) – Super versatile actors who enjoy a challenge and can portray many characters with physicality and voice. Must play the male characters Don encounters on his road trip – in flashbacks and present day vignettes: farmer with silo, Don’s grandfather, grocery store clerk, Don’s obnoxious uncle, a spooky farmer with a hoe, Amish peddler at flea market, Civic War performer, Dan’s childhood friend (now a professor), mechanic, park ranger, unhappy old man, stoic waiter with a mullet (surfer dude type), hog farmer.

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS, FEMALE (Multiple roles) – Super versatile actors who enjoy a challenge and can portray many characters with physicality and voice: Farmer’s wife with silo, Don’s grandmother, Don’s obnoxious aunt, Amish peddler, accident pronehotel clerk, happy-go-lucky museum assistant, tough mechanic, drunk woman in hotel, chatty waitress, hog farmer’s wife.

AUDITIONS ARE GROUP COLD READS.