Jackson College Sets Open Auditions for Fall Production of ‘Steel Magnolias’

Potter Center.  JC x JTV photo.

(August 23, 2024 9:12 AM ET) A call is out for all aspiring actors.  Jackson College is announcing open auditions for the fall production of the beloved classic “Steel Magnolias”.

Mark your calendars for Sept. 9 and 10 from 5-9 p.m. at the Michael Baughman Theatre in the Potter Center. This is your chance to be a part of an incredible theatrical experience. Whether you are a seasoned performer or new to the stage, we encourage everyone to register for an audition slot online or contact TomczakSaraAnn@jccmi.edu. Click here to sign up for an audition (https://www.jccmi.edu/events/auditions/).

Performances will be held in November, so don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. We’re also in need of backstage help, so if you’re interested in supporting the production in any way, please reach out to Sara Anne Tomczak (TomczakSaraAnn@jccmi.edu).

Character Descriptions (please note, you do not have to be the same age as your character)

·                     TRUVY JONES — 40ish Owner of the beauty shop and a lovable gossip.

·                     ANNELLE DUPUY-DESOTO — 19ish. Beauty shop assistant. Quirky and shy.

·                     CLAIREE BELCHER — 66ish. Widow of former mayor in town. Grande dame.

·                     SHELBY EATENTON-LATCHERIE — 25. Prettiest girl in town.

·                     M’LYNN EATENTON — 50ish. Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman.

·                     OUISER (pronounced “Weezer”) BOUDREAUX — 66ish. Wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but lovable

Synopsis of “Steel Magnolias”:

Truvy Jones runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. Along with her anxious and eager assistant, Annelle, Truvy styles the hair of many of the women about town: wealthy widow and former first lady of Chinquapin, Clairee Belcher, local curmudgeon Ouiser Boudreaux (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”), intelligent and compassionate career woman M’Lynn, and her daughter Shelby, the prettiest girl in town. The engagement is the talk of the town, but the joy and excitement of her wedding quickly turn to concern as she faces a risky pregnancy and a myriad of health complications. Eventually, when Shelby dies from complications related to her diabetes, M’Lynn has to deal with the most difficult of life’s challenges: the loss of one’s only child. As the women of Chinquapin makes their ways over life’s many hurdles together, they find comfort (and a fair amount of verbal ribbing) in one another. “You have no idea how wonderful you are,” M’Lynn tells the ladies at the end of the play. Truvy responds, with a smile, “Of course we do.”

Get ready to bring these iconic characters to life and showcase your talent! The final performances are Nov. 15, 16 & 17.