Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for Love! Valour! Compassion!, a play by Terrence McNally on Saturday, January 18 10:00am to 1:00pm and Sunday, January 19 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Call backs Monday, January 20 7:00pm to 10:00pm by invitation only. This non-equity production is directed by Aric Martin and presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Performance dates are Friday, March 14 through Saturday, April 5, 2025. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00pm will be added on March 22 and continue through the rest of the run.
Love! Valour! Compassion! is Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning play that explores friendship, love, betrayal, and the struggles of gay men navigating life and relationships. Set over three summer weekends at a lakeside home, the play captures the humor, heartbreak, and humanity of a group of eight friends as they confront their fears, desires, and mortality.
About Auditions
Kentwood Players is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and encourages actors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities and identities to audition. This production will honor the play's themes with care and respect. Performers must be comfortable with themes of love, sexuality, and partial nudity as required by the script.
For in person auditions, no appointments are necessary. Please arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Prepare a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue that showcases emotional range. Bring a current headshot, resume, and your calendar; a rehearsal schedule will be posted and you will be asked to note any conflicts.
For video auditions, submit a recorded 1-2 minute contemporary monologue that showcases emotional range. The monologue, along with your headshot and resume, should be emailed to lvc@kentwoodplayers.org with the subject line "Love! Valour! Compassion! - (Your Name) Audition" no later than January 15.
Callbacks will be in person. Sides will be provided at that time.
For questions about this production or the audition process, please contact Director Aric Martin at lvc@kentwoodplayers.org.
Character Descriptions
Gregory Mitchell (40s-50s, male presenting)
A successful and sensitive choreographer. Kind-hearted and thoughtful, he grapples with aging and sustaining meaningful relationships.
Bobby Brahms (20s-30s, male presenting)
Gregory's much younger blind partner. Bobby is a source of emotional light in the group - innocent yet insightful and deeply compassionate. Actors who are blind or vision-impaired are strongly encouraged to audition.
John Jeckyll / James Jeckyll (40s-50s, male presenting)
Actor will play both roles.
John: An acerbic and sardonic composer. Cynical yet charismatic, he often pushes others away with his biting wit.
James: John's twin brother. Sweet, gentle, and suffering from AIDS, James exhibits vulnerability and quiet strength. Requires an actor with the ability to create subtle contrasts between the two brothers.
Arthur Pape (30s-40s, male presenting)
A witty and dependable lawyer. Partner to Perry, Arthur is the emotional anchor of the group and brings balance to their dynamic.
Perry Sellars (30s-40s, male presenting)
Arthur's devoted life partner. Perry is loyal, passionate, and often opinionated, providing stability and warmth to the group.
Ramon Fornos (20s-30s, male presenting)
A sexy and confident Puerto Rican dancer visiting the house. Ramon is charismatic, flirtatious, and uninhibited. We encourage Puerto Rican and Latino actors to audition. Partial nudity required.
Buzz Hauser (30s-40s, male presenting)
The group's comic relief. A flamboyant theater lover, Buzz hides his loneliness and longing for connection behind humor and campy charm. Beneath the wit lies a deep vulnerability.
Notice
Those auditioning can take the Metro K Line to Kentwood to the Westchester/Veterans stop, just a short one block walk from the Westchester Playhouse. Those who drive, please note the small lot next to the Westchester Playhouse, street parking on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood. Do not park on our block of Hindry or in the RYDER parking spaces (on 83rd across Hindry from the theater) as cars parked there will be towed away. Please read all traffic and parking signs carefully.
Kentwood Players holds auditions for it's main stage shows 6 times a year