The Bad Seed
Location: San Diego, CA
Type: Theater
The Bad Seed
by Maxwell Anderson, from William March’s novel
Directed by Kristen Fogle
Rhoda Penmark is a sweet, tidy, well-mannered girl aged eight, and the pride and joy of her mother Christine. She seems absolutely perfect and full of charm which she can turn on at any time to get what she wants. At the same time she is apparently unable to make friends, and some people think there is something odd, even sinister, about her. In order to give her a new start, her anxious parents have just relocated to a new town where nobody knows them, and enrolled her in the best school they can find.
An outing at the school sends the family’s house of cards tumbling down. One of Rhoda’s classmates, Claude Daigle, has just won a prize which she believed was hers by right, and on a picnic he is “accidentally” drowned. She seems strangely unaffected by the tragedy, and everyone thinks there is something very disturbing about her reactions. The school janitor, Leroy, suspects he knows the answer, and threatens to tell them. Gradually Christine realizes that she might have had something to do with other unexplained deaths of people around her.
Then the truth becomes chillingly clear. Christine’s dear little child is no angel, but an ice-cold, calculating serial killer. Although adopted, she traces the identity of her biological mother, and in doing so stumbles across a dark secret.
Auditions will consist of cold readings. Rehearsals will consist mainly of weeknights Tues-Thurs starting Sept 6 with cast read through on Aug 30. Full schedule provided at auditions.
Please send a headshot and resume to kristenfogle@hotmail.com with the role or roles you are auditioning for as well as any times you may not be available to audition during the two audition dates. The director will give you an audition slot time and confirm your audition.
Auditions will be held at the theater:
5915 Severin Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942-3806
Audition Dates:
Sunday, August 14 – 7:30 – 10:00 pm
Monday, August 15 – 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Performance Dates:
October 28 – November 20, 2016
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Available roles:
Rhoda Penmark: The character is 8, but the actor can be older, up to a petite 12 or 13 year old. She should look innocent and act very polite, but it is important that she be mature enough to understand the role. A very large role for a young actress, Rhoda is the title role—the “Bad Seed” who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Christine Penmark: Rhoda’s mother and the leading role of the show. She is a gracious, pretty woman who adores her child and her husband, but she is torn when she realizes the truth about Rhoda. (Age: Late 20’s to Mid 30’s)
Col. Kenneth Penmark: Rhoda’s father, and a good-looking, straight arrow military officer. He adores his wife and child. (Age: Late 20’s to Late 30’s)
Monica Breedlove: Tall, imposing-looking, perhaps overweight, no-nonsense, can-do type, but she is also kind and friendly—perhaps too friendly—and offers humor without being a clown. She is a widow who owns the house, which she has converted into apartments and where she and the Penmarks reside. (Age: 40’s to Mid 60’s)
Emery Wages: He is younger than his sister, Monica, with whom he resides. He is usually played shorter and slighter than Monica, but that will be flexible. Monica’s younger brother. He is friendly, conversational, tolerant, and stable and is calmer compared to his sister.
(Age: 40’s-60’s)
Leroy: Janitor of the building and grounds. He is sly, but he is an embittered man who feels like he’s been victimized by the whole world. He dislikes and admires Rhoda at the same time. There is tension between them, but the audience gains the greatest insight of these two characters through their relationship. (Age: 30-45)
Miss Fern: A spinster who runs a tight ship as head of one of the most aristocratic schools in the state. She expects others to cooperate and to contribute. (Age: 50’s to 60’s)
Reginald Tasker: A crime writer with an air of mystery who has become somewhat of an expert in the history of crime. He is a friend of Christine and Monica. Should have an air of mystery. (Age: 35-50)
Mrs. Hortense Daigle: A later-in-life mother, relative to other women of her time, who has suffered the murder of her only son whom she adored. She is grief-stricken and very confused and self-conscious around Christine. She drinks. (Age: Early 30’s to Mid 40’s)
Mr. Daigle: Quiet, but apologetic for his wife’s obsessive grief and embarrassed by her drinking and assertions about the murder. (Age: 45-55)
Richard Bravo: Christine’s father, once a well-known homicide detective who became an author. He is also a well-known radio journalist, but he hides the secret of his daughter’s past. He adores his daughter and granddaughter. (Age: 50-65)
Auditions will be held at the theater:
5915 Severin Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942-3806
Audition Dates:
Sunday, August 14 – 7:30 – 10:00 pm
Monday, August 15 – 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Payment: Non Paid
City or Location of call: San Diego, CA
Please submit to: kristenfogle@hotmail.com
This casting notice was posted by: Lamplighters Community Theatre
