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West Virginia University at Parkersburg 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg WV 26104 Phone:  304-424-8203 | Fax:  304-424-8315

WVU Parkersburg Theatre Department auditions set for "A Doll's House" production.

CONTACT:  Andrew Clovis, Theatre Department, 304-424-8295.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auditions are set for the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Theatre Department's production of Henrik Ibsen's classic drama, "A Doll's House."

They will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 3; 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4, and 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5 in the College Theatre, Room 1305.

Auditions are open to the general public as well as the campus community.

Perhaps the most influential play of the 19th Century,  "A Doll's House" changed the face of modern drama and heavily influenced the burgeoning suffragette movement in Europe, according to theatre director Andrew Clovis. Written in 1867, Ibsen's play tells the story of Nora and Torvald Helmer and how a well-intentioned deception reveals the flaws in their seemingly ideal marriage.

The drama is filled with finely wrought characters whose dependence on propriety ultimately exposes their short-comings, said Clovis.

"Magnificent roles are available for four women, four men and three young children," noted Clovis.

Nora Helmer, the wife of a bank official and mother of three, initially seems to be merely a Victorian equivalent of the contemporary valley girl. However, her character is full of unrealized depth. Torvald, her husband, represents the prototypical Victorian male in his attitude that a wife's role is chiefly decorative and always sublimated to her husband. Unaware that Nora, in essence, has saved his life through a financial arrangement with Nils Krogstad, Torvald maintains an autocratic attitude toward their marriage. Krogstad, a clerk in Torvald's office, finds himself in danger of losing his job and is pressed to demand a favor from Nora. Nora, confined by her gender and the fact that Krogstad's position has been offered to her friend, the widowed Christine Linde, is unable to deliver the favor. Krogstad, in turn, demands repayment from Nora. Nora tries in vain to avoid the unraveling of events. In desperation, she considers asking a close friend of the family, the dying Doctor Rank, for assistance. When Rank reveals the depth of his affection for Nora, she is unable to do so. The play's action spirals from this series of events to culminate in what critics described as "the door slam head round the world."

Scripts are available in the WVU Parkersburg library at the circulation desk. Those wishing to audition may show up at anytime during the schedule audition hours or may make other arrangements to audition by contacting Clovis at 424-8295. Show dates are 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3 and Saturday, Dec. 4, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5.

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