Little Theatre To Hold Auditions For 'Steel Magnolias'

Greenwood Little Theatre will soon hold auditions for cast and crew for its summer production of “Steel Magnolias,” its final performance for the season.

Roles are available for six women in the comedy-drama play, written by Robert Harling, “about a group of friends who endure the troubles that life throws at them and their small town together and that story of just when you thought you had it bad you see somebody else who has it worse,” said Taylor Buchanan, a regular Little Theatre thespian who will serve as the director.

J.T. Hurst and Eddie Amelung, also regular Little Theatre actors, will serve as co-directors.

Crew positions for set construction, lighting, sound and wardrobe as well as planning and coordination, among other backstage duties, will also be available.

Those interested in trying out for the cast or the crew are invited to attend one of three auditioning days, which will be held at Davis Elementary School’s auditorium, 400 Cotton St.: 2 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday or 6 p.m. Thursday.

Rehearsals will be held weekly, and the play will run from July 14-17.

“Community theater is a great outlet for people who have any kind of conversational or artistic talents whatsoever. It’s a good way to get into the community,” Buchanan said. 

Being part of the Little Theatre is “a perfect way of getting to know more people,” and the group “gives a sense of community that’s really not obtainable anywhere else,” he added.

Given the popularity of “Steel Magnolias,” which was adapted into a 1989 film of the same title starring Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Sally Field and Dolly Parton, Buchanan said he expects a large number of auditioners and large audience for the performances.

The crew is as important as the actors, he said.

Backstage jobs offer opportunities for self-expression through work with set design or costumes, and those assisting with a Little Theatre production can learn valuable life skills, Buchanan said. 

“Everybody wants to act, but hardly anybody wants to do the work that makes it happen,” he said.

- Contact Gerard Edic at 581-7239 or gedic@gwcommonwealth.com.