Cast members of the Norwich Theater Company's performance of Elf. Each year, the company performs a play in the spring, a musical in the summer, and a holiday show in the winter. With spring on its way, the company is seeking six female leads for their production of Steel Magnolias. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The Norwich Theater Company is preparing for their first show of the year, and is seeking six actresses to play the leading ladies in Steel Magnolias, a play about friendship, the bonds between women, and overcoming challenges.

Steel Magnolias is a two-act play set in the fictional town of Chinquapin, Louisiana, where the eclectic cast of women meet at Truvy's Beauty Spot. Director Brad Morrison said he's looking for strong female leads to cast in the roles.

"I’m really looking for six really strong female leads for the show. I mean, because it’s such a small cast, they really need to be strong actors and have a good bond with each other," he said, adding that because the show takes place in Louisiana, prospective actresses should also be able to speak with a southern accent.

But confidence on stage doesn't mean experience is required. Morrison said the Norwich Theater Company is also seeking out new talent, from anyone who hasn't been in theater for a while to someone who has never stepped foot on stage.

"We’re looking for new talent. So people that have never auditioned before, or people who haven’t been on the stage for a while, that’s another piece that we’re looking for," said Morrison. "If you've never been on the stage before but say you maybe wanted to try something, there is an opportunity for you to audition for this."

Auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, and from 6 to 8 p.m. on January 3, 4, and 5 at the Chenango Arts Council's Martin W. Kappel Theater, located at 27 West Main Street in Norwich.

Those who wish to audition but can't make the scheduled times can contact Morrison at 765-273-0187 to set up an audition.

To prepare, Morrison said "sides," which are snippets of lines from the play, are available now at NorwichTheaterCompany.org. Sides will also be provided at the Martin W. Kappel Theater for auditions.

Sign ups are not required to audition; Morrison encourages anyone interested to show up during one of the designated days. Auditions will occur on a first come, first served basis, and prospective actresses will be asked to fill out an audition sheet with basic information, acting experience, and the character they wish to play.

Characters include approximately 40-year-old Truvy, owner of the hair salon and who has lived in Chinquapin her entire life; Annelle, a 19 year old with a mysterious past who has just moved to town and gotten a job as Truvy's assistant; and mother-daughter duo Shelby and M'Lynn, who Morrison says have a "classic mother-daughter relationship.'

"She’s a socialite in the town, but wants the best for her daughter. They have a classic, I would say, mother-daughter relationship, where the mom really does care for her but sometimes might overstep or might say something that the daughter doesn’t like," said Morrison.

Also in the show are two women in their 60s: Clairee, who's trying to find herself after the death of her husband, the mayor; and the quirkiest of them all, Ouiser.

"She has a quote that says, ‘I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a very bad mood for the past 40 years.’ So that kind of describes her character," said Morrison. "She has a lot of money, a kind of crazy dog. She’s the type of person that would wear overalls and then wear pearls with them and a fur coat, but have a bag of tomatoes in her hand or something."

"The story of women is so important to tell, and specifically these women, their story is so important to tell. It has such an impact, and I think a lot of people can relate to it," he added. "There’s someone that you can relate to in the show with anyone in your life, and it’s really impactful and powerful."

He encourages those interested to audition for the show, regardless of their theater experience. In fact, despite his 20 years of experience in theater, Morrison said Steel Magnolias will mark his directing debut.

"I just finished 'Elf' here, I played Buddy, and then afterwards I was like, I want to try my hand at directing, and this is a story that’s really near and dear to me. I watched this movie with my mom when I was little, it’s her favorite movie. So it’s really for her that I’m doing this show," he said. "So that’s why I say if this is your first time experience being in a play, just know this will be my first time directing so it’ll be a learning experience for all."

Additionally, Morrison said the Norwich Theater Company is always looking for help in all other areas of the theater, including lighting, costume and props, stage crew, sound, and more. Those interested in being a part of the Steel Magnolias crew can contact Morrison at 765-273-0187.

Once roles are cast, rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, January 17, and from there be held at 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday at the Chenango Arts Council, before the show's premiere on March 24.

Morrison said generally actors only go to a few rehearsals a week, depending on what scenes they'll be going over that day. However, as Steel Magnolias has such a small cast, he said actresses should expect to come to rehearsal more frequently, and potentially every night.

"When it comes to shows you really have to commit," said Morrison. "You're going to be spending the next two and a half, three months as these characters and as these women. Especially if you're going to come [audition], it’s important that you’re understanding that it is a big time commitment and to be available if you’re wanting to audition or be part of the show in any way."

However, he said the time and effort are more than worth it once the show premieres.

"My favorite thing about theater is that feeling that you get the night of the show from the lights of the stage on the first night, and the warmth of the lights when you walk out on stage for the first time. It’s just a magical feeling," Morrison explained. "A lot of people get it from any type of hobby that they do, and any type of profession. Whether it be sports, or whether it be theater, there are moments whether it’s you make a buzzer-beating shot, or you get to go out and take your bows and your final performance and you hear the applause."

"It’s just this feeling of accomplishment that you have done something and you have created this piece of art that you get to perform for people and show them what you’ve done. I think it’s really powerful and meaningful to people."

More information on Steel Magnolias and the Norwich Theater Company can be found at NorwichTheaterCompany.org or on the Norwich Theater Company Facebook page.