"These Shining Lives" Auditions
The Penfield Players are holding auditions for their Spring 2026 Main Stage production of “These Shining Lives”, written by Melanie Marnich and directed by Shawnda Urie.
AUDITION DATES:
Sunday, February 22nd from 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Monday, February 23rd from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
CALLBACKS (if needed): Tuesday, February 24th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
LOCATION: Penfield Community Center (1985 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 14534)
No appointment necessary; just choose whichever audition date works best for your schedule. Please let us know at your audition if you are unable to attend callbacks.
THE AUDITION
The audition will consist of cold reads from the script. Please bring your headshot or an up-to-date photo, your resume, and a list of potential date conflicts (April 19 – May 10) to your audition.
THE SCHEDULE
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Rehearsals start end of February.
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Tech Week: April 19 – 23
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Dress Rehearsal: April 23
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Shows: Weekends of April 24 & 25, May 1 – 3 (Sunday Matinee), and May 8 & 9
Please note that there can be no scheduling conflicts during tech week, dress rehearsal, and performances.
SYNOPSIS
Based on the true story of the "Radium Girls," women who worked at the Radium Dial Company in the 1920s and 30s, painting watch dials with radium-based paint. The play chronicles their lives, their radiation poisoning, and their fight for justice. "These Shining Lives" is the story of resilience, friendship, and the fight for dignity in the face of corporate greed.
Read more about The Radium Girls HERE.
CHARACTERS
Female-presenting (4 with some doubling):
1. Catherine Donohue – (20s/30s) A devoted wife and mother, she is initially proud, but becomes a relentless advocate for justice.
2. Charlotte Purcell – (20s/30s) Straight talking and tough. Although she is sharp when she first meets Catherine, they soon become good friends.
3. Frances O'Connell – (40s/50s) Viewed as the moral backbone of the four women.
4. Pearl Payne – (20s/30s) Easy-going and chatty. Likens to Catherine straight away.
Male-presenting (2 with some doubling):
1. Tom Donohue – (20s/30s) Catherine's husband. Feels emasculated when Catherine first gets the job but warms up quickly to it. Fiercely protective of his wife.
2. Mr. Reed – (40s-60s) Radium Dial Supervisor.
