Conscience

by Joe Dipietro

Directed by Sophie Peyton

PLEASE NOTE: This show is replacing anthropology by Lauren Gunderson. A public statement regarding this change will be going out Monday, February 2.

DESCRIPTION:

A story of McCarthyism in the 50s and how we persevere in the face of an oppressive government. Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman elected in Maine, and was the first woman the state elected to the Senate. And in 1950, she became the first senator to stand on the Senate floor and publicly call out Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who lied to gain power and exploit anti-Communist and anti-immigrant hysteria and attacked those who opposed him. Margaret's “Declaration of Conscience” speech was a public act of defiance at a time when both Democrats and Republicans were cowed into silence for fear of government retaliation... sound familiar? After standing up for what she believed in, Margaret was shunned by her colleagues, challenged in a primary, and threatened by McCarthy. CONSCIENCE is the story of a remarkable, yet forgotten, woman who stood up for what was right and refused to back down during a pivotal time in our country's history.

SHOW PROCESS:

This process will require a people-centered approach that recognizes power dynamics, anti-oppression work, and prioritizes a culture of care. We will use equitable collaborative and closure practices to establish safety in our deeply vulnerable, emotional work. To minimize the ongoing harm of the theater industry as a whole, we will implement accountability tools from the MN-TAC Theater Foundational Standards and harm reduction and repair practices from Nicole Brewer's work on antiracism.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

Runs Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays March 27 through April 19, plus a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on April 6. Cast and crew will be required to participate in strike immediately following the final performance.

REHEARSALS:

Rehearsals will begin on or around February 16, and generally run Monday-Friday evenings and Saturday or Sunday afternoons. All times will be determined by availability. Whenever possible actors will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

AUDITION DATES:

February 9 & 10, 6-9pm. Doors open at 5:30p. Callbacks on February 12, 6-9p, if needed.

AUDITION FORMAT:

Auditioners will read select readings from the script and should prepare a short monologue, between 30-60 seconds.

NOTE FROM DIRECTOR: Although this piece is about McCarthyism, it is not solely based in historical realism and makes us aware of the moment we are living in now. There are contemporary uses of language, breaking of the fourth wall, more current and comedic pacing, so please choose a monologue that can showcase your skills both with historical representation and playing contemporary roles. Please refer to character descriptions for more specifics.

Sides will be available in advance: https://www.theatreintheround.org/home/get-involved/auditions/

Actors will be offered a $100 honorarium and be provided a new professional headshot, with rights to use digitally or print.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:

Roles are open to actors of all identities – racial, ethnic, sexual, gender – and no roles assume the presence or absence of disability. Any character presentation or identity decisions, other than age, will be made through discussion in the rehearsal room. Any perceived/assumed identity of the actor does not have a decision-making factor in the casting process.

MARGARET CHASE SMITH, she/her Gen X or older. Senator from Maine, only woman in the senate. She has a firm elegance and a caustic wit. She's committed and strong, but also very human. She has to "put on a face" to move through the world each day, when do we see it crack? Portrays a specific kind of femininity with many masculine qualities, primarily used by her to shift power dynamics as the only woman in her field.

SENATOR JOE McCARTHY, he/him, white, Gen X or older. Senator from Wisconsin. Loud, crass, reckless, unmannered, alcoholic, chaotic, very "Trump-y" and very, very effective at manipulating and using people for his own gain. How much of his buffoonery is true, and how much is a tool?

WILLIAM LEWIS JR., he/him, Millennial ish. Chase's executive assistant and her right hand man. Bright and educated, thoughtful, and often impeccably dressed. He knows the ins and outs of Washington for both political and personal reasons. Closeted gay man in the 1950s, and is performing specific aspects of masculinity at times to gain power or respect or safety.

JEAN KERR, she/her, Gen Z ish. A young acolyte of McCarthy's. Fiercely loyal, smart, and also manipulative. Individualist, wants what she wants and will sacrifice kindness, respect, or dignity of others to get it. She has grown accustomed to being underestimated, but exudes confidence. Also performs parts of femininity, although different than Margaret, to gain power and respect and to pursue what will benefit her most.