CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Picnic – Director Micki Voelkel

Picnic is a Pulitzer-prize winning drama that was first produced in the early 1950s.  The show is very lush and romantic; in fact, the author William Inge called it a summer romance.

Female Roles:

MADGE OWENS – (Actor Age range 18-30) Madge is a beautiful small town girl. She has been prized all her life for her looks but she hopes that she is something more and that there is a more exciting life waiting for her.  

FLO OWENS – (Actor Age 40s to 50s) Flo is the mother of Madge and Millie. Her own romantic dreams were dashed when her husband abandoned her when the girls were small. She loves her daughters fiercely. She is determined to facilitate a marriage between Madge and her wealthy boyfriend Alan hoping to create a stable future for her oldest daughter.

MILLIE OWENS – (Actor Age 16-30,but must look young) Millie is the intellectual sister who lives her life in dreams and books. She is confident in her brain but less confident when it comes to boys. She is more fragile than she puts on and she feels that Madge is always favored because she is “the pretty one.”

ROSEMARY SIDNEY – (Actor Age 35-50) Rosemary is a self-described “Old Maid School Teacher”.  She boards with the Owens family. She presents herself as an independent woman, but secretly she longs for marriage, family and romance. Her brittle practicality is a cover for strong passions and resentments.

HELEN POTTS – (Actor Age 50 plus) Mrs. Potts is the neighbor to the Owens. She retains a lively romantic imagination and takes a great interest in the lives of the young girls next door. She had a tragic romance in her youth and is now caring for a domineering mother.

IRMA – (Actor age 40 plus) Irma is one of Rosemary’s teacher colleagues.  She is the older, more experienced colleague.  

CHRISTINE – (Actor age 30-40) Christine is a new teacher at the local high school who is just getting to know Rosemary and Irma. She is eager and friendly.

Male Roles:

HAL – (Actor age 25-35, should look mid twenties) Hal is a handsome drifter. He was a college athlete who flunked out and is living with the legacy of his brutal drunken father. Hal has high hopes to remake himself with the help of his college friend Alan.  He is fascinated with Madge at first sight. Note: the actor who plays Hal must appear either shirtless or in a wifebeater).

ALAN – (Actor age 25-35,should look mid-twenties). Alan is the son of the owner of the town’s wealthy grain processing facility. He is deeply in love with Madge but sees her on a pedestal. He genuinely loves Hal but realizes that Hal is a true threat to his relationship with Madge. He’s a likeable guy but gets less likable the more his jealousy comes to the forefront.

HOWARD BEVANS – (Actor age late 40s through early 60s). Howard is a businessman in the next town. He is Rosemary’s beau but reluctant to give up his freedom for any kind of a commitment. He is truly fond of Rosemary, but he has a life he loves. He is a friendly soul.

BOMBER (Actor age 16-mid twenties, must appear young) Bomber is the local paperboy who is intent on making moves on Madge. He bullies Millie and constantly pursues Madge. 

Auditioners are urged to read the play script which is widely available.  If you can’t find a copy, email the director at [email protected].