Student Directed Play auditions. "The Outsiders", directed by Luke Sweeney. Dates: July 6th – 8th. SYNOPSIS: In a small town in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers; a lower class gang from the North side of town are at odds with the privileged Socials (Socs), a rival group from the South side. When Greasers Ponyboy and Johnny have a run-in with their rivals that results in the death of a Soc, the boys are forced to go into hiding. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with their other Greaser friends, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives that they never asked for.
CASTING SESSIONS:
• Monday May 15th, 4:00PM-8:00PM
• Tuesday May 16th 10:00AM-1:00PM
• Tuesday May 16th 2:00PM-6:00PM
BREAKDOWN:
Ponyboy Curtis: (Young looking 18-20), is the protagonist and narrator of the play, he is the youngest of the Greasers but beyond his years in his intelligence. A young head-in-the-clouds thinker who is involved in a feud between his gang (the Greasers) and the Soc’s. He copes with the struggles of class stereotypes and the absence of his parent’s who were killed in a car accident. Ponyboy and his brother Sodapop are under the custody of their older brother Darrel.
Dallas (Dally) Winston: (20-25), is the toughest hood of the Greasers. Dallas, known as “Dally,” is a hardened teen who used to run with gangs in New York. Dally’s violent tendencies make him more dangerous than the other Greasers, and he takes pride in his criminal record. Dally’s only sensitive spot shows through his protective nature towards Johnny Cade.
Johnny Cade: (18-20), is a Greaser who has fallen victim to abusive parents, and being jumped by the Soc’s. He is nervous and sensitive. Since his parents do not care for him, Johnny sees the Greasers as his true family. In turn, the older boys, particularly Dally, are protective of him.
Darrel (Darry) Curtis: (25-30), is Ponyboy’s oldest brother. Darrel, known as “Darry,” is the unofficial leader of the Greasers. He is raising Ponyboy and Sodapop because of their parents’ death. He works two jobs to hold the family together. He is a strong, stern, yet caring authority figure to Ponyboy and the Greasers.
Sodapop Curtis: (20-25), is Ponyboy’s handsome, happy-go-lucky brother. Sodapop is the middle child of the Curtis brothers and also a member of the Greasers. He too works (at a gas station with his friend Steve) to keep the family together. Sodapop is an outlet of sympathy for Ponyboy because he is more understanding of Ponyboy’s youthful thoughts and feelings than Darrel is.
Two-Bit Matthews: (18-22), is the joker of the Greasers. Two-Bit, is a wisecracking Greaser who regularly drinks booze, flirts with girls, and shoplifts. He instigates the hostilities between the Socs and the Greasers by flirting with Marcia, the girlfriend of Randy.
Steve Randle: (20-25), is Sodapop’s best friend. He works with Sodapop at the gas station. He is cocky and tough and always gets amped up for a fight with the Socs. He sees Ponyboy as Sodapop’s annoying kid brother and wishes Ponyboy would not tag along so often.
Cherry Valance: (18-22), is a Soc cheerleader and Bob’s girlfriend. She meets Ponyboy, Johnny, Dally, and Two-Bit at the movies. Cherry’s real name is Sherri, but people call her Cherry because of her red hair. She is fiery, witty, and stunning. Ponyboy and Cherry have a great deal in common, but find themselves fighting the social division between Greaser and Soc. Cherry also struggles within her relationship with Bob.
Marcia: (18-22), is Cherry’s friend and Randy’s girlfriend. Marcia is a pretty, dark-haired Soc who befriends and flirts with Two-Bit at the drive-in.
Bob Sheldon: (18-22), is a Soc who has a set of three heavy rings, which he wears when he fights Greasers. Bob is a loose cannon who is privileged but was never disciplined. He is tough and violent especially after drinking his booze. He has a significant run-in with the Greasers when he thinks Cherry is cheating on him with Ponyboy.
Randy Anderson: (18-22), is Marcia’s boyfriend and Bob’s best friend. Randy is a handsome Soc who has a lot of confidence. He is a follower at the fault of Bob’s leadership role within the Socs. Along with Cherry, Randy humanizes the Socs by showing that some of them have redeeming qualities. Randy is confident and sensible in any situation.
Paul Holden: (20-25), is the leader of the Socs, calm and collected but with the same toughness as Bob. Paul and Darry were friends and football teammates in high school.
Jerry Wood: (25-40), is the elementary school teacher who accompanies Ponyboy to the hospital after Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally save children from a fire. Though an adult and a member of mainstream society, Jerry does not brand them juvenile delinquents but judges them based on their actions. He is soft spoken and his demeanor suggests that he is very knowledgeable.
Mr. Syme: (25-40), is Ponyboy’s English teacher. Mr. Syme expresses concern over Ponyboy’s falling grades. He offers to raise Ponyboy’s grade if he turns in a well-written autobiographical essay. This assignment inspires Ponyboy to write about the Greasers and the Socs. Ensemble Cast: Includes a Nurse and some tough Soc’s to back up Bob, Randy, and Paul.
SUBMISSIONS: Send Headshot, Resume, and Reel/Clip (optional) to luke.sweeney@nyfa.edu no later than 5/13/2017
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS
The Ability to master a Southern Accent is a HUGE Plus