Bringing Live Theatre to McHenry County Since 1967

 

A poignant and humorous play set in a small-town beauty salon in Louisiana. It centers on the lives, relationships, and resilience of six Southern women who frequent the salon. The story unfolds through their conversations and interactions, revealing their joys, struggles, and the deep bonds they share. The core of the narrative is the relationship between Shelby, a young bride-to-be with a serious health condition, and her mother, M’Lynn. The play explores themes of friendship, strength, and the capacity to endure life’s challenges, showcasing how these women are as delicate as magnolias yet as tough as steel. Through laughter and tears, “Steel Magnolias” celebrates the power of female friendship and the enduring human spirit.

April 12 – 28, 2024


Artists

Jordan Rakittke – Artistic Director

Kelsey Waughon – Producer

Adam Milne – Technical Director

Janelle Graf – Stage Manager

Tracy Parr – Costume Designer

Justin Charles – Set Designer, Set Dresser/Props Designer

Jeff Graf – Set Construction Foreman

Deb Holmen – Lighting Designer

Christy Sturm – Photographer

Emily Kunash – Content Creator


Cast

M’LYNN EATENTON – Tracey Lanman

SHELBY EATENTON-LATCHERIE – Christina Giorgi

TRUVY JONES – Tracy Parr

ANNELLE DUPUY-DESOTO – Nora Brown

CLAIREE BELCHER – Alison Hage

OUISER BOUDREAUX – Julie Dietrich Brouton

M’LYNN/OUISER/CLAIREE/TRUVY SWING – Nicole Lapas

ANNELLE/SHELBY SWING – Molly Engdahl

 

*Swings will be performing in the 2pm show on 4/21

  • Nicole as Truvy and Molly as Annelle

Audition Information

Theatre 121 will be holding open auditions for the upcoming production of Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias. We are looking to cast eight actors (six full time performers and two swings- see CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS for more information) of any gender or ethnicity to play female identifying characters.

SIGN UP TO AUDITION here

AUDITION INFORMATION:

Dates: Sunday, January 14th and Monday, January 15th

Callbacks will be by invitation only on Wednesday, January 17th. You will be notified by email no later than noon on Tuesday, January 16th if invited to attend.   

Location: UPDATED! Woodstock Opera House Green Room (enter through Dean St enterance)

AUDITION FORMAT:

  • Auditions will be cold read only, Southern/Louisiana accents are required.
  • Please list all characters you are auditioning for on your audition form as you will have the opportunity to read for each of them.
  • All auditionees must be 18+, no exceptions will be made.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your audition time starts.
  • Please email [email protected] if you require any accessibility or ability accommodations to audition.
  • Headshots are not required.
    • A photo will be taken before your audition for casting purposes only.
  • Optional – print and complete audition form ahead of time here

REHEARSALS: Sundays 2PM-5PM; Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 7PM-10PM. The Production Read Through will be Sunday, January 21st. Through the beginning of February, there will only be three rehearsals per week. Starting mid-February, we will be at a full four-day rehearsal schedule.

TECH REHEARSALS*: Saturday, March 30th, and Monday, April 1st- Thursday, April 4th.

DRESS REHEARSALS*: Sunday, April 7th-Thursday, April 11th

SHOW DATES*: April 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28. (Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2PM)

*You must be available for all tech rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances to be considered for casting.

If you have any questions, please contact the Producer, Kelsey Waughon

Audition Information

Coming Soon!

For priority notice and early audition signups, become a Theatre 121 member today!)

Characters: (all roles available)

AGES LISTED ARE STAGE AGES. ALL CHARACTERS ARE FEMALE PRESENTING. ALL CHARACTERS ARE FROM LOUISIANA AND HAVE A SOUTHERN ACCENT. ROLES ARE OPEN TO ALL GENDERS AND ETHNICITIES.

AUTHORS NOTE: The women in this play are witty, intelligent, and above all, real characters. They in no way, shape or form are meant to be portrayed as cartoons or caricatures. 

 

  • M’LYNN EATENTON (Late 40’s-50’s) M’Lynn is the mother of Shelby. She is strong, intelligent, and kind, but often comes across as overbearing and opinionated regarding Shelby and her choices.  Her life has been consumed with taking care of her medically fragile daughter and she has a hard time coming to terms with her daughter’s life choices.
  • SHELBY EATENTON-LATCHERIE  (20’s) Shelby is the daughter of M’Lynn. She is the prettiest girl in town and a pediatric nurse at the local hospital. Sweet, opinionated, and determined; Shelby is a type 1 diabetic who has been warned that a pregnancy would be dangerous to her health. 
  • OUISER BOUDREAUX (Late 50’s- Early 70’s) Ouiser (pronounced Weezer) is a wealthy neighbor of the Eatenton’s and is always at war with M’Lynn’s husband Drum. She is the town curmudgeon. Beneath Ouiser’s snarky, sarcastic, biting attitude is a kind woman who cares deeply for her friends. She is constantly squabbling with her best friend, Clairee.
  • CLAIREE BELCHER (Late 50’s- Early 70’s) Clairee is the recently widowed, wealthy, former First Lady of Chinquapin and a Grande Dame. She is constantly squabbling with her best friend, Ouiser Boudreaux. Clairee is a gossip with a quick wit and a smart mouth. 
  • TRUVY JONES** (40’s- 50’s) Truvy is the owner of Truvy’s Beauty Salon and the mother of two young adult sons. Despite her vanity and her penchant for gossip, Truvy is a kindhearted, caring woman.  
  • ANNELLE DUPUY-DESOTO** (Late Teens- Early 20’s) Annelle is the talented new stylist at Truvy’s Beauty Salon. She is naive and unsure of herself. 

 

** The Roles of Annelle and Truvy will be filled by swings at the Sunday, April 21st performance. Actors cast in these roles will be given a comp ticket to watch the performance.

  • SWINGS Annelle/Shelby and M’Lynn/Ouiser/Clairee/Truvy. Swings will have one guaranteed performance on Sunday, April 21st at 2pm. Swings will be required at select rehearsals, all Tech and Dress rehearsals, and all performances. Because Swings will be required to be present without performing, they will be paid a stipend of $25 per role covered.