Waterford Players set auditions for 'Leaving Iowa'

Uhrichsville area’s Waterford Players will hold auditions for “Leaving Iowa” on Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 10 and 12 from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Dennison City Building on Grant Street. The comedy, by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, is a family-friendly toast to the idealism and character of parents from the “greatest generation” and a spoof of their dedication to the family road trip.

Malarie Chineal and Nichol Lucas will make their directing debuts with the Waterford production. Chineal said auditions are open to anyone age 12 and up. The script calls for six to 10 characters — two female and two male adults and a variety of other ages and genders.

Auditioners should present a one-minute monologue and be prepared for cold readings from the script. Main characters include the mother, who is the glue holding the family together; father, who is quirky; son Don, who carries the story; and younger sister, who must be able to appear as an adult later in the play.

Chineal, who graduated high school in 2012, said she was active in theater there, and after she participated in the Waterford Green Music Program and heard the new group was forming, she decided to become an active member.

“I knew there was a place for me there and wanted to jump right in,” she said. She began participating in plays at The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, where she played the part of the young sister in the 2022 production of “Leaving Iowa.”

“I learned so much by playing the lead in that production,” she said. “It gave me confidence in myself and made me come to realize that my heart lies in teaching other actors what I have learned. I hope that is what I am going to be able to do with the Waterford Players. My boyfriend Jack Taylor and I met during 'Leaving Iowa.' It was his first production. We have both been very active at The Little Theatre ever since the inspiration of that show.”

Outside of the theater, Chineal is a photographer with a focus on family and business branding, and she serves as secretary of the Waterford board. She said she and Lucas are looking for sponsors and donations for concessions.

“We intend to have a raffle,” Chineal said, “and are also looking for donations for that.”

Lucas, who lives with her husband Frank in the Canton area, is in her fifth year of teaching English at Indian Valley Middle School. She also graduated from high school in 2012 and received her teaching degree at Kent State University. While in high school, she actively participated in theater and in community theater while in college.

“A friend on the board of the Waterford Players knew I was involved in community theater and asked me to join them,” she said. “I’m a trustee on the board now and am really excited about co-directing 'Leaving Iowa.' I see it as a journey for the audience as well as the actors. Our goal is to present what is learned along the way.

“Most of my onstage experience has been in acting and choreography, but I think my greatest interest is in teaching young people how to fully participate in theater. I am hoping that the Players will provide lots of enhancement workshops to help young people learn the basics of theater. I also hope we will continue to grow as a group and maybe one day have an actual season.”

Performances of “Leaving Iowa” will be held in the Port Washington Community Center on Main Street Friday through Sunday, Nov. 8-10 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. A link will be posted closer to production time as to where and when tickets may be purchased.