Directed by Jason Koonce
Audition Information – The Minutes
By Tracy Letts
Show Description:
Tracy Letts’ darkly comic drama takes audiences inside a seemingly routine city council meeting in a small American town. As the council members debate local issues with humor, pettiness, and political maneuvering, long-buried secrets begin to surface. Blending satire, mystery, and social commentary, The Minutes examines power, patriotism, historical memory, and the stories communities choose to tell themselves.
General Audition Notes:
- This is an ensemble-driven play featuring overlapping dialogue, sharp pacing, and realistic interactions.
- Strong listening skills, naturalistic acting, and the ability to sustain tension are essential.
- The play balances comedy with increasingly unsettling dramatic moments; performers should be comfortable navigating both.
- Expect cold readings from the script, with an emphasis on character relationships and ensemble chemistry.
Character Breakdown:
(Ages are approximate and flexible.)
- Mayor Superba – The confident, charismatic mayor who expertly controls the meeting and its participants. Charming on the surface, with deeper complexities beneath.
- Mr. Peel – A longtime council member whose absence at the previous meeting raises questions. Intelligent, inquisitive, and increasingly unsettled.
- Mr. Hanratty – The council’s attorney. Professional, measured, and protective of established procedures.
- Mr. Assalone – An ambitious council member with strong opinions and political aspirations. Assertive and quick-thinking.
- Ms. Johnson – Practical, composed, and often a voice of reason during heated discussions.
- Mr. Breeding – Friendly and affable, but deeply invested in maintaining the town’s traditions.
- Mr. Blake – An older council member whose recollections become increasingly significant.
- Mr. Oldfield – Reserved and observant, often weighing his words carefully.
- Mr. Carp – The town’s maintenance supervisor. Practical, straightforward, and unexpectedly central to the story.
- Ms. Innes – The city clerk responsible for recording the council’s proceedings. Organized, attentive, and quietly perceptive.
This production offers exceptional opportunities for actors who enjoy richly layered, dialogue-driven plays. Success depends on creating believable, fully realized characters whose relationships and shifting alliances drive the story from everyday civic business to a powerful and unforgettable conclusion.