Moonlight and Magnolias at Elgin Theatre Company

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ELGIN THEATRE COMPANY in Elgin, IL to hold auditions for: 
Moonlight and Magnolias

The Elgin Theatre Company is pleased to announce auditions for its upcoming production of
Moonlight and Magnolias, a fast paced and zany comedy by Ron Hutchinson. This production
is directed by Jocelyn Adamski and is the first production of ETC’s 2024-2025 Season.
Dates/Times:
Auditions for Moonlight and Magnolias will be held on:
Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Monday, June 3, 2024, from 6:00PM to 9:00PM
Callbacks, if needed, are by invitation only and will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, starting at
7:00PM. No appointment is needed.

Location:
Auditions will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. Elgin, IL
60120.

Audition Instructions:
This is an open call for auditions for Moonlight and Magnolias. Auditions will take place for
ALL ROLES.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Actors are encouraged to bring a headshot and resume.
Please bring a list of all scheduling conflicts thru Opening Night September 13. 

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will start in early July and will be four days a week (until tech week). Rehearsal days
and times will be based on cast availability.
Tech week is September 9 to 12, 2024, from 6:00PM to 10:00PM (no absences).
Rehearsals will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. Elgin, IL
60120.

Performances:
Performances of Moonlight and Magnolias will be held September 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22,
2024, on Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM and on Sunday at 2:00PM. All performances will be
held at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St. on the 8 th Floor, Elgin IL 60102.

Synopsis:
Moonlight and Magnolias is set in Hollywood in 1939 and inspired by real events. It is a
hilarious and fast paced behind-the-scenes account of the frenetic collaboration between film
producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming and screenwriter Ben Hecht as, in a mere
five days, they struggle to write the screenplay for Gone With the Wind.

SEEKING THREE MALE IDENTIFYING ACTORS AND ONE FEMALE
IDENTIFYING ACTOR – mid 40’s- 60’s

Characters:
David O. Selznick: A renowned Hollywood producer, neurotic, overbearing and used to getting
his way,  Selznick confines Hecht, Fleming, and himself in his office for five days, until a new
screenplay is complete. He is the son-in-law of legendary film producer Louis B. Mayer of
MGM fame, and will use every trick in the book to make Gone With the Wind a success to prove
himself to Mayer.

Victor Fleming: A veteran Hollywood director who is pulled from directing The Wizard of Oz,
Fleming is scheduled to take over Gone with the Wind. He specializes in action films, but says “if
you can write it, I can shoot it.” Famously macho and old school, he and Selznick frantically act
out all the characters in Gone with the Wind for Hecht, who types as they role-play.
 

Ben Hecht: As one of the most sought-after, celebrated Hollywood screenwriters, Hecht is
offered $15,000 by Selznick to rewrite the entire screenplay for Gone with the Wind in five days,
the filming of which has come to a complete halt. The problem is that Hecht hasn’t read the
novel, and he thinks the film is doomed to failure. He is an ex-journalist and playwright from
Chicago, and he isn’t shy to share his cynicism and sarcasm.
 

Miss Poppenghul: The long-suffering assistant of Mr. Selznick, Miss Poppenghul is constantly
on-call and dutifully fulfills each request made of her during the men’s five-day confinement.

PLEASE NOTE- This is a dialogue heavy, fast-paced show. Strong memorization skills and
comfort with era-appropriate performance styles required. Physical comedy skills  a plus.

This production is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

For more information, please contact Madeline Franklin, ETC President and Co-Producer at madfranklin52@gmail.com 

Unpaid. 

Authors

• Ron Hutchinson