Auditions: Precious Little

Written by Madeleine George
Directed by Phillippa Hibbs
Fiercely independent linguist Brodie has come to motherhood a little later than intended. In the early stages of her pregnancy, she learns some potentially devastating information about her child. Whilst navigating impossible decisions about her future, she works to document a dying language with its last surviving speaker. Alongside her – providing comfort or conflict – are her less-than-supportive younger girlfriend, a well-meaning but inexperienced fertility doctor, her elderly and vulnerable language subject, and a captive ape. Precious Little is about what we can and can't control, the unexpected distance and closeness in relationships, and the trauma of impossible decisions. Precious Little explores some challenging themes including the complexity of (in)fertility, the ambivalence of parenthood, and the tensions of parent/child relationships.
All roles are open ethnicity. Actress A and C play a range of characters and will be required to read more than one of their characters at audition. Some roles require onstage intimacy, and an intimacy adviser will be provided. Ages are indicative and you are encouraged to audition, even if you’re not sure you’d be ‘right’ for the role. Contact the director to discuss the requirements for any of the roles.

Roles
A (the Ape, Dorothy, Cleva): Female, 50s+ - Supporting role
The actress in this role portrays a senior doctor, an elderly woman and an ape. Authority and vulnerability are some of the key qualities required in these characters. The ape is played as a graceful, controlled and dignified character and this will require an actress who is comfortable with a physically demanding role.
B (Brodie): Female, 30s-40s - Lead role
Brodie is independent, intelligent and logical. She is in the early stages of pregnancy, having conceived by donor. Fiercely independent, Brodie struggles with the conflict between the vulnerability of her situation and her desire to protect herself from adversity. This role involves intimate scenes.
C (Zoogoers, Rhiannon, Evelyn, Dre, Gloria): Female, 20s - Supporting role
The actress in this role portrays a young doctor, a kindly sonographer, the protective daughter of an elderly mother, a queer doctoral student and a crowd of visitors to a zoo. This is an exciting opportunity for an actress looking for a varied and challenging role. This role involves intimate scenes.

About the director
An English teacher by day, Phillippa is passionate about stories that help us better understand each other and ourselves. Her production experience spans a range of roles: she has experience of acting, stage managing, intimacy advising, playwriting and directing. After playing the lead role of Cecily Harrington in Agatha Christie’s Love From a Stranger in 2020, she considers HLT her theatrical ‘home’. She made her directorial debut in early 2021 with The Classic Theatre Company’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Most recently, she directed Sex With a Mathematician for Ellerslie’s One-Act Festival in August 2022. She has worked as a stage manager for Company Theatre and an intimacy adviser for Shoreside Theatre and Howick Little Theatre. Supporting performers to create an engaging story in an inclusive and enjoyable environment is what she loves most about directing.
Rehearsals
Start with readthrough on Sunday 26th March. Rehearsals ordinarily take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sundays (afternoon or evening, decided in consultation with the cast). This can be negotiated if necessary.
Season: Wednesday 31 May – Saturday 3 June: 5 shows over 4 days, with both a matinee and evening performance on Saturday 3 June.
This is a community theatre production and all roles are unpaid and voluntary.
For a copy of the script, email info@hlt.org.nz
To book a time or for further info, email the director at philie_hibbs@hotmail.com