Ennis Public Theatre sets June 26 for ‘Farce of Nature’ auditions
The Ennis Public Theatre has scheduled auditions for its next production, Jones Hope Wooten’s “Farce of Nature,” from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 26. Overseeing the play will be guest director, Samona Satterwhite.
Those auditioning must complete both steps below:
• Sign up for an audition time HERE
• Fill out an audition registration HERE
Auditions will take place at the theatre, 113 N. Dallas St., downtown Ennis.
The play’s synopsis:
The non-stop hilarity of this Southern-fried farce highlights one day in the life of the Wilburn family of Mayhew, Arkansas.
Meet D. Gene Wilburn, the owner and proprietor of the Reel ’Em Inn, the finest little fishing lodge in Mayhew, Arkansas, in the Ozarks. Well, it used to be, but lately business is down, tourists are few, and the lone guest who’s just checked in – an extremely jittery Carmine DeLuca from Chicago – is only there due to a location shift in the Witness Protection Program. Doesn’t anybody just want to fish anymore?
In the deliciously funny romp that ensues, they all hide, lie, disguise themselves, and slam doors chasing one another, while trying to figure out the source of an increasingly awful stench.
Yet by the delightfully chaotic climax of this one outrageous day, love blossoms, truths are revealed, and the lives of all – family, guests, and gangsters alike – change in incredible and surprising ways.
“This side-splittingly funny comedy is guaranteed to win you over—hook, line, and sinker,” according to the theatre’s audition call.
Script excerpts will be provided for actors to look over in the lobby before reading the scene with the director. For conflicts with audition times or questions, email director@ennispublictheatre.com.
The show will have four 7:30 p.m. performances: Aug. 14, Aug. 15, Aug. 20, and Aug. 21. There will be three matinees at 2:30 p.m.: Aug. 16, Aug. 22, and Aug. 23. Tech runs will be Aug. 9-13. The first rehearsal and full cast read-through will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, with the remainder of the schedule to be announced.
Characters to be cast:
• Wanelle Wilburn — D. Gene’s wife; frustrated with their marriage and experimenting with hypnosis.
• D. Gene Wilburn — Owner of the Reel ’Em Inn; overwhelmed and well‑meaning.
• Jenna Sealy — Ty’s patient (and increasingly impatient) girlfriend.
• Maxie Wilburn Suggs — D. Gene’s sister; a former law‑enforcement officer trying to prove she’s still got it.
• Carmine DeLuca — A nervous man in Witness Protection hiding at the lodge.
• Ty Wilburn — D. Gene and Wanelle’s son; the secret lover of Lola.
• Lola Barbosa — Sonny’s wife; glamorous, bold, and chasing Ty.
• Sonny Barbosa — A Chicago gangster hunting Carmine (and his runaway wife).
• Roxanne Thorne — A character who appears later in the play; often involved in the escalating chaos.
“Farce of Nature” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com).
