Audition Information

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(Please note: Specific audition information for each show will be posted approximately 6-8 weeks before the scheduled date of auditions.)

  • THESE SHINING LIVES AUDITION INFO

    Director Cindy Schneider invites you to audition for the inspiring and riveting story of real-life character Catherine Donohue.

    These Shining Lives, written by Melanie Marnich, is based on the true story of four women who workedfor the Radium Dial Company - a watch factory based in Ottawa, Illinois in the 1920’s into the 1930’s. The play showcases the danger women faced in this workplace and highlights the wider lack of concern companies had for protecting the health of their employees. The company that hires the women to do the painting, tells them that there is no evidence that radium is harmful, and even that it has health benefits. The play follows the journey of Catherine Donahue as she learns otherwise. This story is both inspirational and tragic, and the main characters are all well-developed and have depth and dimension.


    Audition Dates: Sunday, January 25th & Tuesday, January 27th @ 7pm


    Callbacks: January 29th @ 7pm. Callbacks are by invitation only. 


    Audition Location: 810 North Whitford Rd, Lionville, PA 19353


    Shows:

    Fridays: April 24, May 1, 8, 2026 — 8pm

    Saturdays: April 25, May 2, 2026 — 8pm , May 9, 2026 — 2pm

    Sunday: May 3*, 2026 — 2pm*


    Female leads (20-35)

    Catherine Donohue - The main protagonist. The actor is required to switch between her character in the part of the narrator and her character in the story as she succumbs to radium poisoning.

    Charlotte Purcell - Straight talking and tough. Although she is sharp when she first meets Catherine, they soon become good friends.

    Frances O’Connell - Viewed as having the moral backbone of the four women, which could suggest she is a little older.

    Pearl Payne - Easy-going and chatty. Likens to Catherine straight away.



    Male leads

    Tom Donohue – (20-40). Catherine’s husband. Feels emasculated when Catherine first gets the job, but warms up quickly to it. Fiercely protective of his wife.

    Mr Reed (30-60). Radium Dial Supervisor.

    Other named characters

    *Dr Dalitsch - Doctor in Chicago who diagnoses radium poisoning.

    *Leonard Grossman - The attorney who agrees to take the case to court.


    Unnamed supporting characters

    Company Doctor
    Judge
    *Radio Announcer
    *Reporters

    Son - Son of Catherine and Tom.

    Daughter - Daughter of Catherine and Tom.

    (* May be doubled with Dr Rowntree , Dr Dalitsch, Leonard Grossman)

    Please contact Cindy at cinschn@gmail.com with any questions.

    AUDITION SIDES

    Audition sides can be found here.

    REVIEWS

    “THESE SHINING LIVES is powerful, poignant, moving, and thought-provoking.”
    — Elaine Mura


    “… both director and playwright find the humanity and humor in what could be melodramatic material. This is a lovely and moving show.”
    — Laura Foti Cohen