Upcoming Auditions

 

Hollywood Arms

Newnan Theatre Company is excited to announce auditions for Hollywood Arms by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett. Auditions will be Monday and Tuesday, December 8 and 9, from 7 – 9 pm, at Newnan Theatre Company, 24 First Avenue in Newnan. Check-in will begin at 6:30 pm.

About the Show

Based on Carol Burnett's memoir, One More Time, this play is set in California in 1941 and 1951. It is the funny but moving story of three generations of women living on welfare in a one room apartment, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard. The cast of characters includes a tough but tender Christian Scientist grandmother, a beautiful mother struggling to be a writer, and a young girl who escapes to the roof of their rundown apartment, where she creates her own magical world at the foot of Hollywood Hills.

About Auditions

Dates/Times:

  • Monday, December 8 — 7:00–9:00 PM

  • Tuesday, December 9 — 7:00–9:00 PM

  • Check-in begins at 6:30 PM on both days.

What to Prepare:

  • Be prepared to list all conflicts.

  • Bring a headshot and performance résumé (optional).

  • Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script—no monologue required.

  • Those auditioning for Older Helen, Nanny, or Louise must prepare an a cappella song of their choice.

Content Notice: The script contains adult themes and language. Adolescent actors must be comfortable with this material.

Production Information

  • Audition: Monday, December 8 and Tuesday, December 9 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm

  • Performances: March 12 - 15, 19 - 22, 2026, Th-Sa 8pm, Sun 3pm on the Main Stage

  • Director Information:  Hollywood Arms will be directed by Newnan Theatre veteran director and actor Terri Whitley. 

Character Breakdown

Helen (Younger)

  •  Gender: Female 

  • Age Range: 12 to 14 

  • Roll Type: Lead (Act 1) 

  • Description: An imaginative and resilient young girl who is the audience's guide through the family's life in the rundown Hollywood Arms apartment. Helen is a natural optimist and a dreamer, finding solace and joy on the apartments rooftop where she practices Impressions and dreams of a show business career she has observant sharp-witted and despite the chaos and poverty around her maintains a strong sense of hope and a fiercely determined spirit

Helen (Older)

  • Gender: Female 

  • Age Range: 20s 

  • Roll Type: Lead (Act 2)

  • Description: Poised and energetic. The older Helen has the confidence and drive needed to pursue her aspirations. She has escaped the immediate confines of her family's home life, but she carries the weight of her past she is a talented performer or sourceful and ultimately responsible, returning to help her family despite her career ambitions. Must be able to portray both vulnerability and a powerful, determined self-assurance

Nanny (Grandma)

  • Gender: Female

  • Age range: 60s to 70s

  • Roll Type: Supporting Lead

  • Description: The family matriarch. She is the primary caregiver for Helen and a strong presence in the family's life. Nanny is highly opinionated, pragmatic, and often uses humor in her interactions. Underneath her exterior is a deep commitment to her granddaughter. A strong stage presence is essential.

Louise 

  • Gender: Female

  • Age range 30s to 40s

  • Roll Type: Supporting Lead

  • Description: Helen's mother and Nanny's daughter. Louise is an aspiring writer who struggles with personal personal disappointments. Her character arc involves navigating challenging circumstances. This role requires an actor who can portray a wide range of emotions in the complexities of her situation.

Jody 

  • Gender: Male 

  • Age range: 30s to 40s 

  • Roll Type: Supporting 

  • Description: Helen's father and Louise's ex-husband. He is an absent figure who has his own struggles. Despite his failings as a consistent father ,he has moments of genuine connection with Helen and is ultimately a character who wants to be a good dad.

Dixie 

  • Gender: Female 

  • Age Range: 30s to 50s 

  • Roll Type: Supporting

  • Description: The manager of the Hollywood Arms apartment hotel and a friend/confidant to Louise. She is a supportive presence and mother to Malcolm. A sympathetic and steady character amidst the family's chaos.

Malcolm 

  • Gender: Male

  • Age Range: 12 to 14 

  • Roll Type: Supporting 

  • Description: Dixie's young precocious son and Helen's friend, He hangs out with Helen and shares in her imaginative world. A bright, energetic presence.

 Bill 

  • Gender: Male

  • Age Range: 30s to 50s 

  • Roll Type: Supporting

  • Description: A steady, kind man who Nanny pushes Louise to marry. He is a sympathetic character tries to be a good husband but eventually leaves when he can no longer navigate the family dynamics. 

Alice 

  • Gender: Female

  • Age Range: 8 -15

  • Roll Type: Supporting

  • Description: Helen’s younger, illegitimate half-sister. Precocious and lively, she’s part of the extended family chaos at the Hollywood Arms.

Newnan Theatre Company does not charge production fees of any kind for a performer to take part in any production. All roles are unpaid/volunteer positions.

Newnan Theatre Company is a non-profit/non-Equity theatre.
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If you have questions about these auditions or any production please email the ntcdirector99@gmail.com or call (770) 683-6282.