Anatomy of Gray

The award-winning author of THE DIVINERS describes his play as "A children's story for adults." When June's father dies, she prays for a healer to come to the small town of Gray, so that no one will ever suffer again; the next thing she knows, there's a tornado, and a man in a balloon blows into town claiming to be a doctor. At first, the new doctor cures anything and everything, but soon the town's preacher takes ill with a mysterious plague. And then the plague begins to spread.
Set in Indiana during the late 1800's, ANATOMY OF GRAY deals with death, loss, love, and healing in a unique coming of age story.
Performance Dates. The play will be performed 11/16 & 11/17 @ 7:00 and 11/18 @2:00. If you can’t make these dates, you CANNOT be in the show. You also need to be completely available the week before.
Rehearsals. Rehearsals will be Monday – Thursday from 3:00-4:45. For the first couple of weeks, you will not be called every day BUT you have to be there when you are scheduled to rehearse. When we get closer to the production we will start having rehearsals on Fridays. You will be given plenty of warning.
Theater Fee. Like most other extra-curricular activities, there is a fee to be involved in the play. It is $35. If you are concerned about financial matters, please see me individually. This fee is non-refundable, but it will include a t-shirt.
Appearance. Once you are cast in the show, you will need to speak to the costume designer about any changes you would like to make to your appearance. Haircuts, piercings, etc. The show takes place in the late 1800’s – you will need to look time appropriate.
School Rules. School rules will be followed at all times.
GPA. Howell High School policy is that you have to have at least a 2.0 GPA to participate in any after school activity. The grades are from the last quarter.
All information can be found on our blog – www.howelldrama.blogspot.com
If you have any questions, please email me at maloa@howellschools.com


THE CHARACTERS (* - Breaks the 4th wall)

June Muldoon*– June is a teenaged girl overflowing with all the hopes and foibles of youth. She serves as the thread which runs through the story. She is a wonderful mix of youthful innocence, passion for adventure and boredom with the confines of her small town. She will also be receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Galen.

Rebekah Muldoon* – June’s mother and a grieving widow who's pregnant with the child of her recently deceased husband. Rebekah Muldoon is the pivot point for the story. She is the center around which everyone strives to find their equilibrium, as she herself does also.

Galen Gray - Galen Gray is a good, kind and intelligent character. The audience has no doubt that the man we are watching had the discipline, intelligence and bedside manner to be a good doctor. Unfortunately, the character’s inner conflicts and demons arise. Galen can only bear to operate on cadavers, because he faints at the sight of blood. His conflicts between wanting to help someone in need and his own need to avoid fainting or vomiting when faced with an injury crisis are a major conflict in the show. This character will have to drop his pants BUT will be wearing long underwear underneath. He will also be giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to June.

Phineas Wingfield* - the town’s preacher and de facto leader, Phineas exemplified the darkness of blind faith, without succumbing to a stereotypical portrayal. The blindness of his belief is demonstrated with a story of his attempt to baptize a cat, which cost him an eye (surely that was not what God had wanted).While being humorous, it also shows the depths of his commitment to his faith. This character will have to drop his pants BUT will be wearing long underwear underneath. He will also be wearing an eye-patch and will stand on his head.

Tiny Wingfield* – Phineas’ sister. Tiny, a never-married-but-still-hopeful woman with an interest in Galen Gray and just a touch of the "vapors."

Belva Collins* - a loving wife who enjoys gossiping. She is the first to succumb to the disease.

Crutch Collins­* - Belva's good hearted, hard working husband who likes to take a nip of whiskey now and again.

Maggie* – Runs the local eatery and becomes very suspicious of Galen when people start to get sick.

Homer* - Good ole’ boy who has lived his whole life in Gray and has eyes for June Muldoon. Homer is still a boy, but wants desperately to be treated, and respected, like a man.

Townspeople* - Members of the town that help narrate the story. All towns’ people sing hymns, a few sing solos. If you’re interested in a part with a solo, we will call you back to sing A Cappella.


Audition Tips!

Helpful Hint, Remember during your audition they need to see your face and hear your voice. Follow down the lines with your thumb so you can look up without getting lost.. Glance ahead to your next cue line so you can be looking and reacting to the actor/actress you're reading with. Remember acting is actually reacting.
Speak up! Don't fall into the trap of dropping your voice because your audience is right in front of you. They need to know that the people in the back of a theatre, auditorium, park, etc. are going to be able to hear and understand you. Watch your posture! Stand straight and keep your head up.
Slow down! It is not a race! This is your moment to shine. Read your sides and live moment to moment. It is very common for a person who is nervous to speed up their speech. Remember to vary the pace, volume, inflection, tone, etc. as much as you can but make sure they can hear and understand you!