Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling.
The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, 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 give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
NOTE: Audition materials supplied below will be printed and available for you the night of auditions, there is no requirement for you to print these beforehand. To learn more about our audition process, click here.
Dates and Times
Auditions
| Show Date | Show Time |
|---|---|
| Friday, March 14th, 2025 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 15th, 2025 | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 16th, 2025 | 2:00 PM |
| Friday, March 21st, 2025 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 | 2:00 PM |
What: Open auditions for Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling, at Connecticut Theatre Company
When: 1/19/25 & 1/20/25 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: The Repertory Theatre | 23 Norden
Street | New Britain, CT 06051
Run Dates: 3/14/25-3/23/25
Audition Preparation: All roles are open. Looking for a very diverse cast. Actors will be seen in order of arrival. Be prepared to cold read from the script based on the character or characters you are auditioning for. Please bring your resume and headshot if you have one. If you have any questions, please email us at info@connecticuttheatrecompany.org.
Character Breakdown:
Truvy: 40-year-old owner of a small town beauty shop. She knows everyone’s business and shares it with anyone who will listen. Southern Belle. She always has advice for you, and they often come in the form of country sayings.
Annelle: very shy twenty-year-old hair-dresser. She goes from a very soft-spoken person to a bible-loving Christian with her heart on her sleeve.
Clairee: 60-year-old widow of the former mayor of Chinquapin. She is wealthy and also knows everyone’s business. She is the sarcastic member of the group. She loves to laugh and poke fun at the little things that others cry over. She is very close with Ouiser.
Shelby: Roughly 25-year-old diabetic young lady. Prettiest girl in town, and loved by all. She has a weird relationship with her mother, and often rebels just for the sake of rebellion.
M’Lynn: 50-year-old mother of Shelby. She is over-protective at times and finds the need to have a firm grasp on the world at all times. She is a busy woman who worries too much for her age.
Ouiser (pronounced Weezer): She is the same age as Clairee. She is a wealthy old bitty. She is a loveably miserable lady, though. Her unique personality and sense of humor is a great relief in the serious scenes. She is very close to Clairee.