Auditions for "An Enemy of the People" are March 3 and 4

A physician discovers that a town’s water source is contaminated and threatens the public health. He wants to make this information known for the public good, but,because this difficult truth could threaten the town’s economy, the physician is silenced – and when he refuses to back down from the truth, he is labeled AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE …

“a global theatrical debate about corruption, climate emergency and inequality.  'Scorchingly relevant... ominous and thought-provoking'. Blistering and very funny... deliciously spikey... fascinating and bracingly direct...”  

“… its issues and ours are not similar but identical. And not just its issues. Its characters, too, are contemporary: doppelgängers of our own vicious demagogues, cowed editors, greasy both-sides-ists and defanged idealists."  - New York Times, Jesse Green

Written by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Evan Mueller

Auditions, dates and deadlines

• Auditions for An Enemy of the People are March 3 and 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Where:  Performing Arts Center (PA) Mainstage
• Callbacks: March 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in PA 399
• Register to audition by Friday, February 28 by 3 p.m.

Characters

• Thomas Stockmann, husband to Katherine. A physician who is passionately engaged in life – idealistic and easily excited by people and ideas –He’s not afraid to fight for what he believes in – in fact, would rather risk it all than waver or compromise.
• Katherine Stockmann, wife to Thomas. She would do anything for her family, caring and nurturing – and also practical and sensible.  She is not afraid to stand up for herself and those she loves.  
• Petra Stockmann, the daughter to Thomas & Katherine – forthright, determined, hardworking– an energetic young woman determined to create good in the world - An absolutely magnetic person.
• Peter Stockmann, brother to Thomas, Mayor of the town. A politician, keen to gain an advantage, practiced at controlling and manipulating people.  He loves his brother, and although he may be a cautious person, he can be ruthless when doing what he thinks is right.
• Hovstadt, Editor of the progressive newspaper, a political activist, passionate about using the power of the media to influence the community, but also very ambitious and willing to sacrifice some of his ideals to serve his agenda.
• Billings, Assistant at the newspaper, a young, passionate and eager progressive activist – but also ambitious and interested in climbing the ladder and gaining influence.
• Aslaksen, publisher of the newspaper, a powerful person, but one who is careful and intentional about their use of power.  Restrained, even-keeled, serious, demanding.  
• Horster, a ship’s captain, a loyal and steadfast friend to the Stockman’s, courageous and quiet, a strong physical presence, sort of a ‘gentle giant’.  Not interested in politics or newspapers, but knows what’s right and what’s wrong.
• Morten Kiil – Father of Katherine, he is called ‘The Badger’ by those who talk about him when he’s not around.  Owner of the largest business in town, he is wily, crafty, and wealthy (although he doesn’t like to show it.)
• Townspeople – The play includes 4 to 6 townspeople who have action and lines in the ‘Town Hall/Act IV’ Scene of the play. They’ll be strong improvisers and good with audience interaction. These townspeople will also be the understudies.

Audition Process

• For your audition, please prepare a monologue, under 2 minutes in length.
  • We’ll be excited to see any monologue you choose to share, but we suggest looking for a piece written prior to 1960 (ish).
  • We are creating our own adaptation of the script; but we strongly recommend you read any version of this play to help you approach your audition.  
• After the initial auditions, we will be posting callbacks.
  • For our callbacks, we’ll provide sides from the play and ask actors to prepare those sides (it’s not expected that they will be memorized). Actors may be given other sides to read at the callbacks.
  • Actors should be prepared to stay at the callback for approximately 1 – 2 hours, though it may not take that long.
• Make sure to fill out the online form and sign up for an audition slot.
  • Please note the rehearsal schedule of this play when you sign up.
  • All conflicts must be listed.
• The deadline to sign up is Friday, February 28 by 3 p.m.
  • If you need to change your audition time, or if you missed the sign-up deadline, please email Production Manager Teylor Lowe to see what options might be available to you. 

Content Disclosures

The play depicts passionate disagreement and argument; and some depictions of drinking and drunkenness. 

Intimacy and Fight Choreography

The characters Thomas Stockmann and Peter Stockmann engage in a heated argument which may contain pushing, shoving, or one character physically restraining another. This action may include the characters of Christine and Petra. This action takes place at the end of Act II.

Additionally, similar physical elements may be part of the action in Act IV amongst any characters, including ‘townspeople.’ 
Any fight choreography necessary to achieve this will be staged by the director.

The play contains no scenes of romantic or sexual intimacy, but please note that the characters of Thomas, Christine, and Petra are family members who may engage in behaviors showing their affection, such as hugging, hand holding, etc.

GPA Policy

The Theatre Department is phasing in a new policy (announced in Monday Matters last spring): in order to work on Department of Theatre and Dance, productions you must maintain a certain GPA.

• For Fall quarter 2024, you must maintain a 2.4 overall GPA
• In Spring quarter 2025, the GPA requirement will change to 2.8
• Subsequent to Spring 2025, the GPA requirement will remain at 2.8
• See GPA Requirement document for details

Audition Form

Questions on this form include opportunities to share information about your identity, including gender, race and cultural background. Your answers help WWU prioritize authentic, appropriate casting as called for in each script. Please share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Auditioning and Casting can be a stressful process! Our goal is to create a casting process that is welcoming, absent of intimidation, and serves those auditioning as well as the creative team in the full exploration of the material in an environment of mutual trust.

In reference to the character descriptions– these are descriptions of the characters as identified in the script and in collaboration with the creative team. They are not meant to be exhaustive of who should play these roles and we seek to cast expansively and intentionally – and we invite all actors to submit for any roles they identify with.

Additionally, there are some resources made available here to inform you of Western Washington University’s procedures and protocols for moments of intimacy in our productions.

Audition Resources

Below are links to very useful Word documents which are resources to inform you of Western Washington University’s procedures and protocols for moments of intimacy in our productions.

• Production incident report
• WWU Actor Consent Form
• WWU Audition Disclosure Form
• WWU Intimacy and Instructional Touch Policy
• WWU Intimacy Protocols

Sign up to Audition by Friday, February 28 at 3 p.m.