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The Little Theatre of Manchester is pleased to announce open auditions for a June production of Native Gardens. We are seeking a diverse and multi-racial cast for this production. Auditions will be held on Sunday, March 24 at 12pm and Monday, March 25 at 7pm, with callbacks on Wednesday, March 27 at 7pm, if necessary. Auditions will take place at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Rd., Manchester, CT. Those auditioning should bring their resume; headshots will be taken at the theater. Please wear clothing that will be comfortable for movement. All roles are available.

This production will run from June 7 through 23rd, and will be directed by Billy Winter. Any questions can be directed to him at wwinter@alumni.skidmore.edu.

Synopsis:
Old neighborhood. New neighbors. Tania and Pablo Del Valle have just moved into a historic neighborhood in Washington D.C. next-door to Virginia and Frank Butley. Tania has big plans to revitalize their new backyard, nurturing a garden with plants native to the area. Frank dreams of winning more than an “Honorable Mention” in the annual contest for his meticulously curated garden. In order to impress his new boss, Pablo has invited the entire firm over for a barbecue on Saturday. The Potomac Horticulture Society judges stop by on Sunday. When Tania and Pablo go to replace the ivy-covered chainlink fence separating the two yards, they discover that their property line extends two feet over onto Frank and Virginia’s side. Ideologies collide, as traditional values clash with modern sensibilities. With only six days to get ready, the neighbors are put to the test. Do good fences really make good neighbors?

Character Breakdown (Gender refers to presenting.):

TANIA DEL VALLE
Woman. Early Thirties. Latinx; native New Mexican. A likable, energetic, and passionate PhD candidate. Eight-months pregnant and an eco-friendly gardener. Doesn’t know much Spanish, but knows the swears.

PABLO DEL VALLE
Man. Early Thirties. Chilean. A likable, savvy, and ambitious attorney. Trying to make partner at his new job. Was disowned by his wealthy father for marrying Tania.

VIRGINIA BUTLEY
Woman. Sixty to Mid-Seventies. White. A likable, assertive, and direct engineer. Eager for her son to marry so she can have grandkids. Was the only woman engineer in her division for 20 years.

FRANK BUTLEY
Man. Sixty to Mid-Seventies. White. A likable, caring, detail-oriented, government worker. Enters his yard in the regional gardening competition every year. Loves to make puns.

ENSEMBLE (4) Any Gender. 18–65. Latinx. Light, movement choreography. Non-speaking roles of the LANDSCAPERS, SURVEYOR, BUILDING EXAMINER, and NANNY. Conduct the passage of time, execute set changes, and move the story along. The witnesses and energetic transformers of the play.