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Tidewater Community College’s Theater Department is preparing to hold open auditions for “Steel Magnolias,” this year’s spring production. 

Auditions are from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

Each audition takes about five minutes, and roles are available for six actors and several understudies. Actors should prepare a one-to-two-minute contemporary monologue that shows their range. Participants are encouraged not to use any accents.  

Rehearsals begin March 13 and run from 7 p.m. -10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, according to a TCC news release. 

The show debuts Thursday, April 13 and runs through April 29. Evening shows and Saturday matinees are planned. 

“Steel Magnolias” is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the women who are anybody come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the women of the town. The play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which gives the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

The cast for “Steel Magnolias” includes: Truvy, a 40ish owner of the beauty shop; Annelle, 19 and beauty shop assistant, Clairee, a 66ish widow of the former mayor and Grand Dame; Shelby, 25 and the prettiest woman in town; M’Lynn, 50ish and Shelby’s mother; and Ouiser, a 66ish wealthy curmudgeon.

To secure an audition time, and receive the audition packet, email Heather Williams, stage manager, athwilliamsphotog83@gmail.com. Include a headshot, resume and any date conflicts you may have.  Preference will be given to actresses with the fewest conflicts.

To express an interest in a technical position and for more information about TCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Theater Arts, contact professor Matthew Gorris at 757-822-7041 or mgorris@tcc.edu.