Auditions for Fat Pig

ABOUT THE PLAY:
“Cow.” “Slob.” “Pig.” How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized and then some. Forced to explain his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny) friends, Tom comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance of conventional good looks. Neil LaBute’s sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.

Casting strong performers with depth and range—students and non-students, faculty and staff, novices and veterans—for the following four roles (all in their late 20s):

HELEN:
Helen is an overweight librarian who's comfortable in her own skin. She's not self-conscious of her weight or her eating habits and embraces them. Helen accepts Tom, despite his shortcomings, until she discovers just how shallow he can be. She's an intelligent, feminine woman who also enjoys war movies -- a well-rounded and likable character. Because she doesn't cater to wrongful and abusive stereotypes and isn't easily manipulated, she stands out as the strongest character in the play. Her humor and realistic self-image make her a lovable and respectable character.

TOM:
Tom is the primary protagonist. He's a kind, decent guy in his late twenties to early thirties, but easily persuaded by peer pressure. As a result, he doesn't have the courage to stand up for his own feelings and convictions. Tom is a man without "qualities," a term used to describe him throughout the play. He struggles with his male ego and often lets his shallow and short-sighted co-workers manipulate his decisions.

CARTER:
Carter is Tom's best friend at work and the primary antagonist in the play. He's the epitome of the self-absorbed guy who thinks women must be slim to be attractive. He's critical of Tom and has little tolerance for the deeper aspects of love and attraction, such as friendship, compatibility, and respect. Carter constantly teases and provokes Tom about his affair with Helen. He is egotistical, rude, and superficial. However, you get the impression that underneath it all, he's an unhappy and unsatisfied guy.

JEANNIE:
Jeannie is Tom's attractive, thin, ex-girlfriend and one of his co-workers. Tom isn't fulfilled in his relationship with Jeannie, so it fizzles out. Jeannie struggles with her self-esteem after Tom dumps her for Helen. She is jealous -- not of Helen's beauty but of her ability to connect with Tom. Even though Jeannie isn't blind to Carter's shallow, self-centered mindset, she often sides with him. She finds comfort in his rude comments about Helen and in his criticisms of Tom. Jeannie is a slighted woman with a shattered self-image.

Prepare a memorized 1-minute contemporary dramatic monologue and come ready to read from the script.

To schedule an audition, follow the below FOUR steps:

1. Click "JOIN" on your desired date and time.
2. Enter your FIRST and LAST name.
3. Enter your e-mail address.
4. Click "JOIN".

Once completed, you should receive a confirmation e-mail with a link and instructions on how to cancel your slot if necessary. Please save this e-mail in case you need to cancel or switch time slots. If you are unable to make the audition, please cancel as soon as possible to free up the slot for someone else.

Also, you will receive a document via e-mail to PRINT, COMPLETE, and BRING WITH YOU TO THE AUDITION.

Auditions will be held at GSU's Center for Performing Arts. PLEASE BE PROMPT as latecomers will not be seen.

For further information, or to express interest working backstage (we need all kinds of assistance!), please contact Dr. Patrick Santoro: psantoro@govst.edu, 708/235/2842, or E1541 D.

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