Open auditions for 'The Trojan Women' to be held Aug. 24 at Southeast

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University invites the public to audition for the classic Greek tragedy by Euripides, "The Trojan Women," at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 in Rose Theatre, with callbacks slated for Aug. 26.

The play depicts the destruction wreaked on family, spirit and home as it tells the story of the women of Troy as they wait to be turned over to their new Greek masters, the very ones who murdered their husbands, brothers and sons.

"The Trojan Women" has been said to contain arguably the best roles ever written for women actors.

Parts are available for five men and 16 women, including the classic characters Cassandra and Helen. Those who audition will perform selections from classical or neo-classical poetic tragedies by one of the following authors: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Pierre Corneille or Jean Racine. Selections should be under two minutes. Women will be required to participate in dance and movement auditions and should dress appropriately. The movement portion of the audition will not require footwear.