By Sam Shepard
Directed by Robert Hubbard, robert.hubbard@ndsu.edu
Stage manager: Erika Miller, erika.a.miller@ndsu.edu
Roles
A Lie of the Mind calls for 4 female identifying actors and 4 male-identifying actors. A brief synopsis of the play is available through Concord Theatricals. A character breakdown is available at the end of this page.
Gender fluid actors are welcome to audition for any role they connect with. Auditions are open all NDSU students regardless of major. BFA Performance and Musical Theatre Majors are required to audition.
Content Disclaimer: This play contains adult language, sexual situations, partial nudity, and both the threat of and the results of violence. You are highly encouraged to read the play prior to auditioning, as this is a dark comic drama with complicated characters. Actors should be familiar with the character plot lines and arcs.
Auditions
6 – 8 p.m. Sunday, November 1
6 – 8 p.m. Monday, November 2
Callbacks
5 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 3
For the callback, actors should be prepared to read sides from the play. Sides will be provided during the callback announcements.
Performance Dates
7:30 p.m. April 22 – 24, 29 – 30, and May 1 in Walsh Studio Theatre
Rehearsal Schedule
Check for conflicts by carefully reviewing the rehearsal schedule. Actors should arrive at auditions with carefully researched detailed list of all conflicts from the beginning of rehearsals through the final performance. It is imperative that all conflicts are noted on the actor’s Audition Information Form. Conflicts presented after casting will not be granted and roles may be recast.
Script
All actors are expected to read the play prior to auditions.
Monologues
Please prepare one of the character audition monologues from this selection. You are welcome to choose the character you hope to be cast as. Memorization is encouraged but not required. You should be off-book enough to take real risks with the material.
Character Breakdown
JAKE: The violent and intensely jealous character. Before the play starts, he beats his wife Beth into a state of severe brain damage and spirals into guilt and mental deterioration, convinced he has killed her.
FRANKIE: Jake's gentle, loyal younger brother. He travels to Montana to check on Beth but is accidentally shot in the leg by Beth's father.
BETH: Jake's wife and an aspiring actress. She suffers a traumatic brain injury from Jake's brutal assault, leaving her physically and mentally impaired yet exhibiting moments of unexpected poetic clarity.
MIKE: Beth's fiercely protective and bitter brother. He holds intense hatred for Jake and Jake's family and tries to shield Beth from them
LORRAINE: Jake, Frankie, and Sally's overprotective, possessive, and domineering mother. She harbors deep resentments and an idealized version of their past.
SALLY: Jake and Frankie's cautious and neglected sister. She wisely sees through Jake's attempts to evade responsibility and eventually tires of the family's chaos.
BAYLOR: Beth's stubborn, emotionally detached father. A rugged Montana farmer, he retreats into hunting and accidentally shoots Frankie.
MEG: Beth's gentle, long-suffering mother. She tries to navigate her husband's emotional absence and cares for Beth at her home.
