Auditions for main stage shows generally occur approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the opening date of any production with a 7-8 week rehearsal process with five weeks of performance, some of which may be doubles on the last two Saturdays of the run, depending on the show. Auditions for main stage shows are by appointment only and for anyone who feels they have the necessary skills to participate. Check back regularly for audition notices. These notices can also be found in Backstage West, the nationwide stage, film and screen industry newspaper, as well as local newspapers; the Ventura County Star, The Simi Valley Acorn and Happenings Magazine.
Auditions for ARTSpace Black Box Theater productions are generally a week prior to beginning of rehearsals with open calls. The rehearsal process for a Black Box theater production is generally 6 weeks with four weekends of performance.
RADIUM GIRLS
BY D.W. GREGORY
Directed by Elizabeth Stockton
RADIUM GIRLS will perform over four weekends, APRIL 4 – 27, 2025 – Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm
Auditions will be held at ARTSPACE BLACK BOX THEATER on Monday and Tuesday, February 10 and 11, between 7pm-10pm. Please prepare a 1-2 minute dramatic monologue, preferably memorized. Callbacks will be on Saturday, February 15 from 10am-12pm.
Synopsis:
Radium Girls is D.W. Gregory’s gripping drama based on the true story of female laborers who were poisoned and killed by their factory’s radium-based paint. Though Radium Girls ranges from 1918 through the 1940’s, the bulk of the narrative is centered on events in New Jersey in the mid 1920’s.
The play highlights Grace, Irene, and Kathryn who paint dials in the U.S. Radium Plant and are instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths while painting. The factory’s new owner, Arthur Roeder, is excited by radium’s promising future and believes in the company’s potential for growth. Roder’s mindset is supported by Marie Curie, the internationally famous scientist, who believes radium provides many health benefits and could even cure cancer.
But soon many of the the girls begin to notice disturbing health issues, and one of their co-workers dies, but her death is brushed aside. The plant tries to keep the girls who are getting sicker from talking to the press, push back their court dates, and deflect any negativity toward the company. Some of the surviving girls finally get settlements and medical coverage for the rest of their shortened lives.
Radium Girls fiercely examines the commercialization of science, the pursuit of both health and wealth, the power of the underdog, and the fierce injustice laborers in America have faced, and may even continue to face in the present.
AVAILABLE ROLES:
Grace Fryer
Grace is one of the primary dial painters featured in the factory, and her closest friends are Kathryn and Irene. She is 15 at the start of the play and 26 at its close, and her emotional growth follows as such. Before any problems surface at the factory, Grace is a goody two-shoes in many senses of the phrase. She follows instructions diligently, and trusts the authority figures around her. However, as her friends begin to exhibit symptoms, she grows into an uncompromising woman who is both stoic and vulnerable. While Kathryn is one of the first to forcefully search for answers, Grace becomes dedicated to finding answers herself and seeking justice, both on her own and by sharing her story with journalists.
In addition to her friends and her mother, Mrs. Fryer, Grace is most closely connected to her fiancé, Tom. Grace desperately wants a future with Tom, but fears her own illness and deterioration will hurt him and their relationship. Grace grapples with her looming death extensively, yet maintains an excellent perspective and internal strength. Though Radium Girls features a flexible cast size, the actor playing Grace doesn’t portray other roles in the show. In a play with so many characters, Grace is a centralizing and grounding force as audiences most closely follow her journey and story.
Kathryn Schaub
Kathryn is one of the primary dial painters featured in the factory. She is 15 at the start of the play, and dies at the age of 25 before its close. Her closest friends are Grace and Irene, and Kathryn is the first of them to realize the extent of their danger. Kathryn most forcefully fights for answers at first, but quickly becomes cynical when faced with corrupt bureaucratic systems and additional complications. Since Irene is the first of the three to die, Kathryn and Grace fervently support each other while enduring their illnesses and legal complications.
Schaub pronunciation- SHAWB The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Kathryn would also portray Board Member #1, Shopgirl, Society Woman, and Harriet.
Irene Rudolph
Irene is one of the primary dial painters featured in the factory. She is 17 at the start of the play, and dies at the age of 23 before its close. Her closest friends are Grace and Kathryn. She is also Kathryn’s cousin. At the beginning of the play, Irene is the most lively of the friends. She is playful, and pulls pranks at the factory using their paint. She also makes a point of being socially informed and shares her knowledge of others’ personal lives. She is straightforward and determined. However, she doesn’t have many opportunities to fight against radium injustices as she is the first of the three girls to pass away.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Irene would also portray Miss Wiley, Board Member #2, Photographer, and Mrs. Michaels.
Arthur Roeder
Arthur Roeder takes over Dr. Von Sochocky’s job as President of the U.S. Radium Corporation. He is 34 at the start of the play, and is 65 at its close. He strongly believes in radium’s corporate potential, and is ready to capitalize on its hopeful future successes. In his job, Roeder is eager to beat out competition, but is keen on cutting corners whenever possible. Though he considers himself a good leader, he doesn’t read the articles on radium he compiles and publishes himself, and chooses to lie to the Department of Labor regarding his factory’s inspection. These are examples of his routinely choosing what he wants to believe rather than accepting and working with problems he faces.
Though Roeder acts rashly in difficult situations, he is not an inherently bad person. He does what he can to protect what he deems to be important, and dehumanizes the girls and their difficulties in order to justify his own immoral actions. However, when the reality of radium’s detrimental impact on his workers fully sinks in, Roeder feels terrible and regrets his previous mentality and decisions.
Roeder pronunciation- REED-er Though Radium Girls features a flexible cast size, the actor playing Roeder doesn’t portray other roles in the show. In a play with so many characters, Roeder is a centralizing and grounding force as audiences most closely follow his journey and story.
Edward Markley
Markley is a counsel for the U.S. Radium Corporation, and directly counsels Roeder. Though he flies a bit under the radar at first, he becomes the mind behind Roeder’s legal decisions and operates exclusively in favor of the company. Markley is a rational and direct man who is ethically ambiguous. It is Markley who argues that the girls can’t press charges due to the statute of limitations, continually pushes back the court date in the hope that the girls will become too ill to appear, and tries to convince Grace to sign away her right to hold the company responsible for her illness.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Markley would also portray Von Sochocky, Store Owner, Venecine Salesman, and Martland.
Charlie Lee
Charlie Lee serves as the Vice President under Roeder at the U.S. Radium Corporation. He later becomes President of the company. Similar to Markley, Charlie is mostly concerned with the company’s well being and often advises Roeder to make decisions that favor the company’s well being and image rather than the girls’ who seek both health and justice. The morality of Lee’s decisions fluctuate over time. At the beginning of the scandal he tries to convince Roeder not to lie to the Department of Labor, but as tensions increase, their stances flip. When Roeder wants to offer a reasonable settlement to the girls, Lee tells him to remember how their financial well-being is connected to the company the next time his conscious starts to bother him. However, Lee ultimately agrees to give each girl $10,000 as a settlement after the trial.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Lee would also portray Drinker, Bailey, Flinn, Male Shopper, Court, and Lovesick Cowboy.
Dr. Von Sochocky
Von Sochocky is the founder and ex-president of the U.S. Radium Corporation. The position was succeeded by Roeder. Von Sochocky also notably invented the luminous paint containing radium that poisoned the factory girls. However, he didn’t know about its poisonous nature at the time of its invention. He feels deeply guilty about his contribution and its harmful impacts. Once the girls’ stories are featured in the news, he states that radium is very dangerous and offers to testify for the girls. When Von Sochocky assumed radium was safe, he drank bottles of it and got sick himself. He is one of the most moral and sensitive men in the show, and does the right thing by taking the responsibility for the numerous deaths up front.
Von Sochocky pronunciation- VON Sa-SHOCK-y The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Von Sochocky would also portray Markley, Store Owner, Venecine Salesman, and Martland.
Mrs. Alma Macneil
Mrs. Macneil is Grace, Irene, and Kathryn’s supervisor in the factory. She is strict about the rules, and wants to ensure the dial painters work at a high level. She makes sure to discipline the girls while the company managers are supervising, and they appreciate her work in turn. Mrs. Macneil instructs the factory girls to continue forming a fine point on their brushes by using their mouths, and refuses to answer resulting questions from the factory girls.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Mrs. Macneil would also portray Sob Sister, Clerk, Elderly WIdow, and Mrs. Fryer.
Tom Kreider
Tom is Grace’s fiancé who is several years older than she is. He works as a postal worker and is slightly concerned about finances. But Grace’s mom, Mrs. Fryer, mostly pressures Tom about being able to financially support her daughter. He is fully dedicated to Grace, and envisions a future with her and their hopeful children. Grace’s illness becomes a source of conflict, since she tries to create space between them knowing she can’t give him the future he wants, but he insists on continuing to hope their relationship will last. Tom is stubborn in the best of ways, and fully supports Grace throughout her illness even though she sometimes makes it difficult for him.
Kreider pronunciation- CRY-der The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Tom would also portray Reporter, Berry, and Knef.
Diane Roeder
Diane Roeder is married to Arthur Roeder. Diane is intelligent, and feels conflicted between supporting her husband and confronting the accusations made against him. When Diane confronts Arthur about newspaper headlines that expose his factory, Arthur dismisses everything. But Diane is confident in her own reasoning and clearly is disappointed by his response and inaction. In many ways Diane is the voice of reason, and ultimately removes the radium bottles from their home.
Roeder pronunciation- REED-er The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Diane would also portray Madame Curie, Customer, and Board Member #3.
Anna Fryer
Anna Fryer is Grace’s mother. She is mostly concerned with Grace’s well-being, and therefore is mostly motivated to convince her daughter to make decisions that Anna believes will best support Grace. She is a bit single minded, focusing mostly on practical things, and doesn’t often consider the whole picture. Anna feels disconcerted by Tom’s minimal income, especially since Tom and Grace intend to be married. Anna doesn’t like it when Grace first quits her job at the factory because she wants Grace to have an income. But once Grace becomes ill and is pained by bureaucratic court processes, Anna attempts to force Grace to accept $1,500 offered to them in return for agreeing to “hold the company harmless from any further action.” She outwardly operates both to encourage financial stability, but also hopes to ease the strife Grace faces.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Anna Fryer would also portray Sob Sister, Clerk, Elderly Widow, and Mrs. Macneil.
Katherine Wiley
Katherine Wiley is a human rights advocate and the executive director of the New Jersey Consumer’s League. She is one of the most determined characters, and she represents the potential for positive future change. She tirelessly fights for the factory girls. She is never divisive or controlling, but rather helps them believe in their ability to have a voice that can inspire change. It is due to Wiley’s efforts that the girls gain such broad news coverage, and therefore are able to sway public opinion. However, because Wiley mostly prioritizes macro-goals like making a large impact through publicity, she sometimes misses the micro needs of the girls. But on the whole, Wiley is a selfless individual and is mostly motivated to make the world a better place by helping others as best she can.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Wiley would also portray Irene, Board Member #2, Photographer, and Mrs. Michaels.
Raymond Berry
Berry is a human rights advocate and an attorney for the dial painters. He and Wiley function similarly and work together for the girls, but sometimes disagree on tactics. Since Berry is mostly concerned about the girls’ immediate well-being, he becomes concerned by Wiley’s guidance that encourages widespread news coverage. He is very true to type, as he productively and intelligently works for the common man and fights for justice with wit and heart.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Berry would also portray Tom, Reporter, and Knef.
Harriet Roeder
Harriet is Arthur and Diane Roeder’s daughter. She is nine years old at the beginning of the play, but grows into her 30s at the end. She is seen both in her childhood home, and accompanying her father to the cemetery where the factory girls are buried. She tells her father that none of what happened was his fault because there was less scientific knowledge at the time of the radium incidents.
Roeder pronunciation- REED-er The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Harriet would also portray Kathryn, Board Member #1, Shopgirl, and Society Woman.
Dr. Cecil Drinker
Drinker is a Harvard industrial hygienist and an unbiased researcher. Unlike other industry “professionals,” Drinker is not paid off by Roeder. Rather, Drinker creates a truthful health report after investigating the U.S. Radium Corporation. Drinker’s report notes that the health problems in the factory are likely due to the radium present in the factory, and that the employees illnesses can be explained on no other grounds. Drinker advises in the report that immediate and drastic remedial action take place, but Roeder ignores this advice.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Drinker would also portray Lee, Bailey, Flinn, Male Shopper, Court, and Lovesick Cowboy.
Dr. Harrison Martland
Martland is the county medical examiner. When many individuals claim the positive effects of radium, Martland is skeptical and tells reporters he advises further study.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Martland would also portray Markley, Von Sochocky, Store Owner, and Venecine Salesman.
Dr. Josef Knef
Dr. Knef is a two-faced dentist. Though he is honest and caring during his first appointments with the factory girls, he quickly becomes manipulative and self-serving when he realizes he can capitalize off their situation. During the beginning stages of the crisis, Irene and Grace choose to visit him as their dentist. He advises that the company should be obligated to help them given their horrible medical conditions. However, he later attempts to make a monetary deal with Roeder. Under this deal, Knef would offer the girls free dental appointments and Roeder would pay Knef for favorable diagnoses. Knef reasons the girls would be too poor to pay him, or they would die before they could pay him. So that way both he and Roeder would win. However, Roeder and his board don’t ultimately agree to sanction Knef’s scheme.
Knef pronunciation- NEF The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Knef would also portray Tom, Reporter, and Berry.
Dr. Marie Curie
Dr. Marie Curie is the French scientist who discovered radium. She preaches radium’s healing powers, and advertises for fellow women to join the “Marie Curie Radium Club” which is intended to fund radium research focused on humanitarian aid.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Marie Curie would also portray Mrs. Roeder, Customer, and Board Member #3.
Dr. Marie Curie is the French scientist who discovered radium. She preaches radium’s healing powers, and advertises for fellow women to join the “Marie Curie Radium Club” which is intended to fund radium research focused on humanitarian aid.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Marie Curie would also portray Mrs. Roeder, Customer, and Board Member #3.
Frederick Flinn, Ph.D.
Flinn is an industrial hygienist from Columbia University with a Ph.D. Flinn is paid off by the U.S. Radium Corporation to convince the girls their symptoms are due to poor diet. In addition, he is paid to testify that the corporation shouldn’t be held responsible for the deaths of the factory girls.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Flinn would also portray Lee, Drinker, Bailey, Male Shopper, Court, and Lovesick Cowboy.
Sob Sister (Nancy Jane Harlan)
Sob Sister is a tabloid reporter who writes for the New York Graphic. Overtime, she reads news updates and headlines aloud, participates in press conferences, and shares information with the public. She functions to document the dates and updates regarding the radium crisis. She does this alongside her male counterpart, Reporter.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Sob Sister would also portray Clerk, Elderly WIdow, Mrs. Fryer, and Mrs. Macneil.
Mrs. Michaels
Mrs. Michaels is a consumer of Radithor (pronounced RAY-da-thor). She tells reporters that she drinks Radithor to help her rheumatism, and says that “I felt like I been hit by a bolt of lightning, it was that powerful. Now I drink a bottle a week, just to maintain my health.”
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Mrs. Michaels would also portray Irene, Miss Wiley, Board Member #2, and Photographer.
Society Woman (Mrs. James Middleton)
Mrs. James Middleton, otherwise known as Society Woman, is a well-bred woman. She is connected to the Marie Curie Radium Club and hosts a Marie Curie speaker event for reporters and club members.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Society Woman would also portray Kathryn, Board Member #1, Shopgirl, and Harriet.
Clerk
Clerk is an overworked public employee at the health department. Kathryn files a complaint with her. When the Clerk assures Kathryn that the factory where the three girls worked had been investigated and was deemed safe since there was no trace of phosphorus, Kathryn rants to Grace and Tom and then catches the Clerk’s attention when she shares that Irene died.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Clerk would also portray Sob Sister, Elderly Widow, Mrs. Fryer, and Macneil.
Reporter (Jack Youngwood)
Reporter is a member of the press who writes for the Newark Ledger. Overtime, he reads news updates and headlines aloud, participates in press conferences, and shares information with the public. He functions to document the dates and updates regarding the radium crisis. He does this alongside his female counterpart, Sob Sister.
The cast size in Radium Girls is flexible. The smallest version of the production features 9 actors. In this case, the actor portraying Reporter would also portray Tom, Berry, and Knef.
Ensemble
Other members of the community who take an interest in the case.
COMING TO THE MAIN STAGE AT THE SIMI VALLEY CULTURAL ARTS CENTER! ARTS IS PROUD TO PRESENT ITS FIRST SHOW OF SEASON 2025…
RAGTIME
Music by Joseph Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Book by Terrence McNally, Directed by David Ralphe
Auditions for RAGTIME are by appointment only and will be held on December 16 and 17 between 7pm-10pm at ARTSpace Black Box Theater, 2956 School St., Simi Valley 93065. To make an appointment please email jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
Please prepare 16-32 bars of sheet music or provide an instrumental backing track of a legit Broadway musical number in a similar genre or by the same composer(s). A head shot and resumé is appreciated, if available.
(Note: If you are bringing a child to audition for either of the juvenile roles in RAGTIME, be advised that a prerequisite of main stage experience is required.)
CASTING INFORMATION:
- Coalhouse Walker: A talented and famed Black pianist- Coalhouse is sentimental, passionate, and romantic. He is a natural, charismatic, leader. He undergoes a significant hardship that turns him from idealistic and hopeful to bitter and cold. Extremely strong actor and singer. Baritone. Age range late 20s to early 40s
- Mother: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
- Tateh: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST
- Sarah: A young Black woman who falls in love with Coalhouse Walker after much resistance, she has a fiery heart and an innocent, kind soul. Extremely strong singer and actor. Mezzo. Age range 20 to 30.
- Little Boy: PREREQUISITE MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Mother and Father’s son. He is young, curious and kind. Represents childhood innocence and is welcoming to anyone. Strong actor. Alto or Tenor. Age range 10-12
- Little Girl: PREREQUISITE MAIN STAGE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Tateh’s daughter- she is vulnerable and confused in her new home of America, making her shy. Strong actor with a good voice. Alto. Age range 9-12
- Father: Mother’s rich and successful husband. Is somewhat stuffy and old-fashioned. Feels left behind by the changing times and the changes in his family but still tries to do the right thing. Strong singer. Baritone. Age range 30s to mid 40s.
- Younger Brother: A wild, young, and dreamy man who is looking for his meaning in life. He feels deeply and passionately and becomes emotionally involved quickly. He is the younger brother of Mother. Strong actor and singer. Tenor. Age range 20 to 28
- Evelyn Nesbit: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST.
- Emma Goldman: Social activist. Originally from Russia, she is a leader, a fearless advocate for the oppressed. Gender: Female – Age: 35 to 45. Vocal range top: D5; Vocal range bottom: B3
- Booker T Washington: Incredibly intelligent Black social activist. He is an eloquent and articulate gentleman, as a central leader of Black Americans he has no patience for them leading less than exemplary lives. Baritone. Will double in the ensemble. Age range 30s to 60s.
- Harry Houdini: The famous magician, a symbol of the “American Dream”- someone who traveled to the land of opportunity and was successful. Strong singer and actor with a big presence. Tenor. Age range mid 20s-30s.
- Henry Ford: Famous car manufacturer, chipper, and a great salesman. Good singer and actor with a fun presence. Baritenor. Age mid 30s- early 60s.
- Sarah’s Friend: A Black woman who is Sarah’s best friend. EXTREMELY STRONG singer with a gospel sound who is also a strong actor. Sings “Til We Reach That Day”. Will be a part of the Harlem ensemble. Age ranges late teens to 50.
- Grandfather: Gruff and extremely conservative, Mother’s father is irritated by everything. A retired professor that now lives at home. Strong actor with great comedic timing. To play 50s to 75+.
J. P. Morgan: One of the richest men in the country. Entitled and superior. Role for a strong actor and singer. Age Range 55 – 70. - Willie Conklin: The fireman who destroys Coalhouse’s car. An unapologetic racist. Role for a strong actor. May double as other roles and will double in the ensemble. Early 20s to 50.
- Coalhouse’s Men: Young Black men who follow Coalhouse. Passionate and devoted to their leader. Featured with solo singing and speaking lines. Will also be a part of the Harlem Ensemble and may double with other roles. Strong singers, movers, and actors. Late Teens to mid-40s.
- Katheleen: A young maid in Father’s house. Will double with other roles and will be a part of the ensemble. Featured speaking role. Any age.
- Bridgid – Another young maid in Father’s house with a fiery temper. Will double with other roles and will be a part of the ensemble. Featured speaking role. Any age.
- Coalhouse Walker III: Coalhouse and Sarah’s young son. Ages 5-8
- Ensemble: An ensemble of ALL ethnicities, ALL ages, ALL genders, and ALL physical types. Amongst the ensemble will be Harlem Citizens, Immigrants to America, and Citizens of New Rochelle. Other featured roles will be pulled from this ensemble such as Kid Newsies, Admiral Perry, Stanford White, Harry K Thaw, Mrs Whitstein, Coalhouse’s Lawyer, Factory Kids, Sob Sisters, Orphans, Firemen, Matthew Hensen and MANY other roles. ALL will have featured singing or speaking roles and be in the many ensemble sequences in this show, and will have plenty of stage time! Seeking strong actors and singers. Ages 16-60
If you have any questions please contact the producer at jgartdept@sbcglobal.net
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