Enemy Auditions

Dreamwell - Dreamwell Theatre launches its “Season of Inciting Theatre” with auditions for Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, adapted by Christopher Hampton, on January 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm at the Iowa City Public Library.

Synopsis: In a small coastal Norwegian town, new medicinal baths have become a source of pride, hope and anticipated prosperity. Just as tourists begin to pour into town, Dr. Tomas Stockmann— a well-admired doctor and a leader of the baths project—makes a disturbing discovery: the baths are contaminated with dangerous waste from a nearby tannery. As Stockmann publicizes his findings, the townspeople—even his former allies and friends—turn against him and revile him as an "enemy of the people" for attempting to thwart their new town attraction.

An Enemy of the People depicts the struggle between independent thought and the oft-corrupt, irrational nature of the masses.

Angie Toomsen will direct a version adapted by playwright and Oscar-winning screenwriter, Christopher Hampton. Widely lauded for Dangerous Liaisons (both stage and screen versions), Carrington, and Atonement, Hampton offers a timely, critically-acclaimed telling that the Times Literary Supplement (London) called “an unequivocal triumph” and Spectator deemed “a revelation…reborn as a passionate debate about the value of the individual.”

Primary cast includes: Five adult male actors, two teenage actors (young-looking college-age OK) and two adult females. There may be several additional ensemble actors needed and women may be cast in secondary male roles. Also looking for a stage manager/assistant director.

Rehearsals will begin mid-February and the show is scheduled to perform March 27, 28, and April 3, 4 in Iowa City. Copies of the script will be on reserve at the Iowa City Public Library. Auditions will consist of readings from the script.

For questions or audition conflicts, please email the director Angie Toomsen.