The Drowning Girls
by Beth Graham, Daniela Vlaskalic, and Charlie Tomlinson.

 

Audition dates: Saturday, May 31 from 2:00- 4:00 pm & Sunday, June 1 from 6:00-8:00 pm. 

Callbacks will be Monday, June 2 from 6:30-9:00 pm. Callbacks are by invitation only. 

Audition Location: Theatreworks at the Square 2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN

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Directed by Aliza Moran

Movement Direction by Angel Clark

Production Dates: October 17-November 2, 2025

Rehearsals will begin around mid-September, 2025

More info:  901-484-3467

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Audition sides for callbacks will be posted at www.newmoontheatre.org/auditions

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Online audition slots available at signup.com/go/bDkACM

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Character information and breakdown below. NO PARTS HAVE BE PRECAST, ALL ROLES ARE OPEN

 

Auditions will be held at TheatreWorks at the Square (2085 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN 38104) on Saturday, May 31 from 2:00- 4:00 pm & Sunday, June 1 from 6:00-8:00 pm. 

Callbacks will be Monday, June 2 from 6:30-9:00 pm. Callbacks are by invitation only. 

Auditions will consist of a 10 minute time slot, in which we ask that you prepare a monologue, or poem of your choosing, along with a short song, hymn, or lullaby to be sung acapella. You do not need to be a trained singer, simply carry a tune.

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Callbacks will consist of cold readings from the script and creative movement.

 

Please sign up at https://signup.com/go/bDktACM for a 10 minute time slot.

 

Please make sure to arrive with plenty of time to complete your audition form.

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If you need to cancel your slot and can’t get it done online, please call us at 901-484-3467 or email at info@newmoontheatre.org

 

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SYNOPSIS

Bessie, Alice and Margaret have a few things in common: They are married to George Joseph Smith, and they are dead. Surfacing from the bathtubs they were drowned in, the three breathless brides gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths. Reflecting on the misconceptions of love, married life, and the not-so-happily ever after, The Drowning Girls is both a breathtaking fantasia and a social critique, full of rich images, a myriad of characters, and lyrical language.

The Drowning Girls was inspired by the real-life Edwardian Scotland Yard case of the notorious murderer, George Joseph Smith and his victims, the ‘brides of the bathtub’.  

 

NOTES FOR THE CAST

The three actors will mainly play one of the three women but also flow in and out of other supporting characters to weave together their narrative. All of the staging stems from the only set pieces, three bathtubs. The blocking will be a bit physical, with the actors creating vignettes in and around the bathtubs. It will also take stamina as the bathtubs will have some water in them, meaning that the actors will be a bit damp during the performance (every assurance for the safety of the actors will be taken). This is a play for a trio of powerful female actors!

Actors will require physical agility. We are seeking three female presenting, any ethnicity, any type, age 25-45 to play these roles

 

CHARACTERS

Ages are those given in the script but are quite flexible.

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BESSIE (30s)

Innocent, trusting, and infatuated with the idea of love.  Also plays George, Caroline, John, Dr. Billings, Mrs. Rapley, Amelia, Marks, and Sergeant Page.

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ALICE (mid-late 20s)

Feisty, adventurous and strong headed.  Also plays John, George, Henry, Mrs. Tuckett, Mrs. Crossley, Jane, Inspector Neil and Mr. Bodkin.

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MARGARET (late 30s-mid-late 40s)

Skeptical, thoughtful, yet yielding.  Also plays Henry, the Conductor, Alice’s mother, Mrs. Blatch, Sergeant Reid, Knowles, and Miss Brighton.

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RUN AND REHEARSAL PROCESS

 

Rehearsals will be held weeknights (M-Th) and either Saturday or Sunday afternoons. 

 

Rehearsals will begin early September. 

 

Performance dates: October 17-November 2, 2025.

 

Performances will be at Theatreworks on the Square. 

 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Aliza Moran

Movement Director: Angel Clark

Stage Manager: April Vincent

Set Designer: Chris Sterling 

Costume Designer: Ashley Kopera

Sound Designer: Emily Rooker

Lighting Designer: 

Melissa Andrews 

Props Designer: Laurie Boller