"The Glass Menagerie" is a poignant and poetic exploration of family, memory, and longing. Set in 1930s St. Louis
during the aftermath of the Great Depression, the play follows the Wingfield family as they navigate love,
obligation, disappointment, and dreams of a different life.
Told through the memories of Tom Wingfield, this "memory play" examines the beauty and fragility of human
relationships. Tennessee Williams invites audiences into a world where hope and heartbreak coexist, where
people strive to care for one another while wrestling with their own desires and limitations.
The play contains moments of humor, tenderness, and profound emotional truth. At its heart, it asks what we
owe to the people we love—and what happens when our longing for freedom collides with our responsibilities to
others.
WHERE: Prescott Valley Performing Arts - 3235 N Main Street, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (next to Findlay Center)
Performance Dates:
September 18-27, 2026
Callbacks (if needed): Tuesday, July 28, 2026 - 6-9pm
What to Prepare
Auditioners should prepare one memorized dramatic monologue approximately 60–90 seconds in length.
Monologues should:
● Showcase emotional honesty and authenticity.
● Be age-appropriate for the role(s) you are pursuing.
● Come from published plays (classical or contemporary).
● Avoid excessive accents or gimmicks that distract from the storytelling.
Cold readings from the script will also be provided.
What We Are Looking For
This production values truth over theatricality. We are seeking performers who:
● Listen generously.
● Respond authentically.
● Embrace vulnerability.
● Find humor in ordinary moments.
● Are eager collaborators.
● Are willing to explore complex emotional landscapes with compassion.
Experience is welcome but not required. New performers are encouraged to audition.
Character Breakdown
TOM WINGFIELD - Gender: Male
Age Range: Mid-20s to early 30s
The narrator of the play and Amanda's son. Tom works in a warehouse to support his family while yearning for
adventure and a life beyond the confines of home. Intelligent, restless, witty, and deeply conflicted, Tom
struggles between responsibility and personal freedom.
Seeking: Strong emotional range; comfort with both narration and naturalistic scenes.
AMANDA WINGFIELD - Gender: Female
Age Range: 40s–60s
Tom and Laura's mother. Once a celebrated Southern belle, Amanda now clings to memories of a more secure
and promising past. Fiercely devoted to her children, she can be overbearing, humorous, resilient, and
heartbreaking.
Amanda is not merely comic relief. Beneath her energy lies profound fear, love, and determination.
Seeking: Excellent comedic timing paired with emotional depth and nuance.
LAURA WINGFIELD - Gender: Female
Age Range: Late teens to mid-20s
Amanda's daughter. Gentle, shy, and imaginative, Laura retreats into the world of her beloved glass animal
collection. Though deeply sensitive and socially anxious, Laura possesses warmth, intelligence, humor, and quiet
strength.
Laura should never be portrayed solely through fragility; she is a fully realized young woman with tremendous
inner life.
Seeking: Subtle, emotionally truthful performance style.
JIM O'CONNOR - Gender: Male
Age Range: Mid-20s to early 30s
Tom's coworker and Laura's former high school classmate. Charismatic, optimistic, and practical, Jim represents
possibility and hope. He genuinely cares for others and approaches life with enthusiasm.
Jim is not a rescuer or prince charming. He is simply a young man doing his best to build a meaningful future.
Seeking: Natural warmth, confidence, and sincerity.
Themes of the Play
● Family obligation and sacrifice
● The tension between dreams and reality
● Loneliness and connection
● The power and unreliability of memory
● Identity and self-worth
● Hope, disappointment, and resilience
Content Advisory
This production contains:
● Themes of abandonment and family conflict
● Discussions of disability and social isolation reflective of the period in which the play was written
● Emotional distress and grief
● Smoking references (non-tobacco stage alternatives will be utilized)
Rehearsal Expectations
Rehearsals are expected to begin shortly after casting and will generally occur weekday evenings, with
occasional weekend rehearsals as we approach performances.
A detailed rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the first read-through.
Please disclose all known conflicts at auditions. Existing conflicts will not automatically exclude you from
casting; honesty and communication are greatly appreciated.
Because this is an ensemble-driven production built on trust and emotional vulnerability, punctuality,
preparedness, and respect for fellow artists are essential.
This production contains:
● Themes of abandonment and family conflict
● Discussions of disability and social isolation reflective of the period in which the play was written
● Emotional distress and grief
● Smoking references (non-tobacco stage alternatives will be utilized)
Director's Note
The Glass Menagerie is often described as a play about loss, but I believe it is equally a play about
love—love expressed imperfectly, love complicated by fear, and love that lingers long after people
part ways.
These characters are not broken people. They are people trying to care for one another while
carrying dreams, disappointments, and burdens of their own.
I encourage you to approach this audition process with curiosity and courage. Bring your authentic
self into the room. Take risks. Be vulnerable. Most importantly, remember that theatre is not about
perfection—it's about connection.
I look forward to meeting each of you and discovering this beautiful memory play together.
– Layla Tenney
Director, The Glass Menagerie
Questions?
For additional information, please contact:
Layla Tenney
Director, The Glass Menagerie
Prescott Valley Performing Arts
(928) 499-2320 / laylatenney@yahoo.com
"For nowadays the world is lit by lightning! Blow out your candles, Laura—and so goodbye..."