Auditions

Arrive prepared to fill out an audition form and make sure to bring your schedule and any potential conflicts.

• Everyone will read from pre-selected sides of the show.

• All characters listed are open to actors of all racial backgrounds and types.

• Age ranges are flexible for the characters.

• The director is open to casting actors in non-traditional gender roles.

We also encourage everyone to get involved in the production of our performances by helping with set design and props, sound and lighting, backstage, in the booth, or as the stage manager. There are many ways to get involved with our theater group. Just ask!

We understand there will be scheduling conflicts during the rehearsal schedule but all actors must be able to commit to all performance dates and tech week rehearsals.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the auditions!

SORDID LIVES by Del SHores

Directed by: Frank Squillo
Assistant Director: TBD
Executive Producer: TBD

THE STORY: Sordid Lives is a dark comedy set in a small Texas town, revolving around the eccentric Turpin family and their friends as they grapple with the sudden and embarrassing death of family matriarch, Peggy. Peggy's demise occurs during an illicit tryst in a seedy motel room with her much younger, married neighbor, resulting in a hilariously scandalous cover-up.

As the family prepares for Peggy's funeral, long-buried secrets and family tensions erupt, leading to a series of outrageous events. The play satirizes small-town life, family dysfunction, and societal prejudices with a sharp wit and a deep affection for its flawed but lovable characters. Sordid Lives is a celebration of individuality and acceptance, even in the face of the most "sordid" circumstances. It's a raucous and heartwarming story about finding your place in a world that often tries to define you.

RATED MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY: ‘Sordid Lives’ is intended for mature audiences. The play contains comedic depictions of sensitive topics, including infidelity, mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, strong language, sexual content and innuendos, and situations not suitable for children or some younger audiences. Audience discretion is advised.

NUMBER OF ACTS: 2

DURATION: 100 - 120 minutes

FIRST PRODUCED: May 11, 1996, at Theatre/Theater in Hollywood, California.

GENRES: Dark Comedy

SETTING: A small town that represents many segments of rural America, particularly in the South. Scenes take place in the family living room, the local bar, therapists office in a mental institution, and the local Baptist church.

TIME & PLACE: The play takes place over a few days in the summer of 1998 in the small town of Winter, TX.

AUDITION PACKET ON GOOGLE DRIVE: (coming soon)

AUDITION DATES: Monday, March 3rd, and Wednesday, March 5th, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

AUDITION LOCATION: NCRD Performing Arts Center Lobby

REHEARSALS BEGIN: Sunday, March 9th, 5:00 PM

WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Tentatively Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings.

TECH WEEKS: May 19th - 29th

PERFORMANCE DATES: 05/30/25 - 06/15/25

Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m., Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.

SUMMARY: In the small Texas town of Winters, the Turpin family is thrown into chaos when matriarch Peggy dies during a compromising encounter in a seedy motel.

Her prim sister Latrelle is mortified, while her flamboyant daughter LaVonda arrives from Dallas, bringing her own brand of chaos.

Peggy's cross-dressing son, Brother Boy, is institutionalized and dreams of escaping to perform his Tammy Wynette act.

As the family prepares for the funeral, long-buried secrets and tensions erupt, revealing the "sordid" lives behind their small-town facade.

The play satirizes Southern culture, family dysfunction, and societal prejudices with dark humor and a touch of heart.

Playwright’s note: “These people are real. Don’t play them as cartoons”.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: 7 W / 6 M

LATRELLE WILLIAMSON: The conservative, self-righteous daughter of the family and mother of Ty. Latrelle is a woman who prides herself on her proper, no-nonsense demeanor and her "respectable" life. A recent widow, she is strict and judgmental, particularly toward her family members. Her relationship with her mother and her openly gay brother is strained, as she struggles with her own feelings of shame and judgment. Latrelle is a deeply complex character who seeks control and normalcy in her life, but ultimately, her world begins to unravel as she confronts her family's messy reality.

NOLETA NETHERCOTT: The angry, betrayed housewife and Latrelle's best friend. Noleta is a larger-than-life, effervescent woman with a flair for drama. She’s a fan of gossip, hard drinking, and outrageous behavior, but at heart, she’s loyal and supportive of her friends, especially Latrelle. Though outwardly fun and carefree, Noleta has deep emotional scars, particularly surrounding a past romantic relationship. Her role is primarily comedic, but she also brings warmth and tenderness to the story as a foil to the more repressed characters.

SISSY HICKEY: The caretaker who picked the wrong day to quit smoking. She’s the loud, brash aunt who has lived a life of scandal. Sissy is a tough, no-nonsense woman who speaks her mind without fear of offending anyone. She has a complicated past filled with marriages, loves, and heartbreaks, but she’s unapologetic about her choices. Though often the comic relief, Sissy’s life and her struggles with love, loss, and regret bring an emotional depth to the play. Her personal history with men and her family’s judgmental attitudes towards her make her an outsider in her own community, but her authenticity makes her an important and beloved figure.

LAVONDA DUPREE: Another member of the family who adds to the chaos. LaVonda is a tough, snarky woman who serves as both comic relief and a sounding board for the other characters. She’s a friend to Latrelle and Noleta, and though she’s often sarcastic, she’s also deeply loyal and caring. LaVonda’s sense of humor and biting commentary make her a fun and dynamic character in the play, though her own life is fraught with complications that mirror the dysfunction in her community and family.

DR. EVE BOLINGER: The over-sexed pill-popping, alcoholic therapist. Dr. Eve is a psychologist who works with Brother Boy, in an attempt to help him regain a sense of self. While she is initially portrayed as professional and level-headed, her interactions with Brother Boy reveal her own vulnerabilities and frustrations. She is put in awkward situations by the chaos of the family and their various quirks. Through her, we see how deeply intertwined personal identity, family dysfunction, and psychological trauma are in this play.

BITSY MAE HARLING: The guitar playing ex-con singer. Bitsy Mae is a vibrant, no-nonsense, and slightly hard-edged woman with a colorful and tumultuous past. Once a country music singer, she has been in and out of prison, and she is fiercely independent and unapologetically herself. Bitsy Mae plays the guitar and has an undeniable passion for music, though her life hasn't turned out as she envisioned. Must be able to play guitar and sing.

JUANITA BARTLETT: The barfly. Juanita Bartlett is a minor but memorable character in Sordid Lives, providing much of the comic relief in her scenes. Known for her eccentric behavior, Juanita is an older woman who is perpetually drunk and blissfully unaware of the chaos around her. Her tendency to slur her words and drift into her own world of tipsy observations makes her a humorous and quirky presence in the play. Juanita is often found hanging around the bar where Wardell works, adding to the colorful tapestry of small-town Southern life depicted in the story. While she doesn’t have a significant character arc or much direct involvement in the central drama, her antics provide levity and a touch of absurdity that balance out the play's heavier emotional moments.

BROTHER BOY: The Tammy Wynette obsessed cross-dresser. Brother Boy is a tragic figure, a flamboyant gay man who has been institutionalized for decades due to his behavior. He was once an aspiring country music star, but his eccentricity and open homosexuality led to his commitment to a mental institution by his Momma. He has a delusional obsession with country music and is often locked in a mental state of longing for fame. He is both comedic and tragic, and his emotional journey provides a poignant counterpoint to the other characters' struggles with their identities.

TY WILLIAMSON: A young man on a journey and Latrelle’s closeted gay son. Ty is a witty, charming, and unapologetically gay man (when he’s not around his family) who has struggled with rejection and alienation from his conservative family. He is the “black sheep” of the family, but he is also one of the play’s most grounded characters, offering both humor and heart. Ty's character arc explores themes of acceptance, the search for love, and the tension between family loyalty and personal identity.

G.W. NETERCOTT: The legless Vietnam Vet. He is deeply distraught, battling personal demons and unresolved guilt, much of which stems from his tumultuous affair with Peggy, the recently deceased family matriarch. His relationship with Peggy was fraught with passion and scandal, adding layers of complexity to his character. Despite his rough edges and volatile emotions, G.W. possesses a raw vulnerability that makes him relatable and, at times, sympathetic. His interactions with other characters often reveal the hidden truths and pain beneath his tough exterior, contributing to the play's exploration of themes like love, betrayal, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. G.W.'s journey in Sordid Lives highlights the human capacity to cope with loss and the ways in which humor can serve as a salve for deep wounds.

WARDELL OWENS: Wardell is a bartender who harbors deep remorse for his actions as a former gay-basher. His regret stems particularly from a violent incident involving his friend, Brother Boy, which has left a lasting impact on both men. While Wardell’s rough exterior and past actions initially paint him as antagonistic, his vulnerability and willingness to face his faults make him a more nuanced and ultimately likable character. His journey serves as a testament to the power of forgiveness, personal accountability, and the potential for healing even the deepest wounds.

ODELL OWENS: Wardell's worthless story-telling brother. Odell’s penchant for tall tales and self-aggrandizement adds comedic relief to the play, though his antics can be exasperating for those around him. Unlike Wardell, who is grappling with remorse and working toward redemption, Odell appears more content to skate through life without much reflection or ambition. His lack of direction and tendency to embellish the truth highlight the contrasts within the Owens family dynamic, making him a source of both amusement and irritation. Though Odell might not have the same depth or transformative arc as some of the other characters, his presence adds to the colorful tapestry of eccentric personalities in the play. His storytelling often provides a satirical lens on small-town Southern life.

REV. BARNES: The Southern Baptist preacher. As a supporting character, he serves as a moral compass—though one skewed by his rigid interpretation of faith and traditional values. Rev. Barnes is a figure of influence in the town, and his sermons and attitudes reflect the cultural norms and pressures that weigh heavily on the characters, particularly those struggling with issues of identity, acceptance, and personal freedom. While he may not have as much stage time or depth as some of the other characters, his presence underscores the tension between individuality and conformity that lies at the heart of the play. His role, though seemingly minor, reinforces the societal expectations that many characters are attempting to navigate or break free from.

If you have any questions or are unable to attend the posted audition dates and would like to make alternate plans, please contact us by using the form below.