Leaving Iowa: Behind the NGU theatre auditions
Chase Bridges, Assistant Editor
North Greenville University’s theatre held the auditions for their second show of the semester, “Leaving Iowa” on Sept. 28.
“Leaving Iowa” is a play written by Tim Clue and Spike Manton and has been performed all over the country. The play follows the story of Don Browning, a man who decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home.
But when Don arrives to find that his grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he starts traveling across Iowa in a search for a good resting place for his father. The play shifts from present day Dan to memories of Dan’s childhood road trips, which make for a really fun ride.
North Greenville’s production of “Leaving Iowa” has a cast of eight, which consists of Katherine Liederbach, Dylan Thompson, Tansy Davis, Jacob Jones, JP Waynick, Bailey Hiner, Lydia Kytle and Ashley Rosa.
Lydia Kytle was cast to play the role of “Character Girl 1” after going through the audition process.
“We had to come in with a minute-long comedic monologue.” Kytle continued, “Then we were given some sides (small scenes from the script) to perform for the director.”
Kytle and the other actors each read two to four sides each and were then put into groups to perform improv with characters given to them by the director.
“The scene reading was my favorite.” Kytle said, “I got to read as three different characters who were drastically different and very funny. It was a really fun experience.”
JP Waynick, who plays “Character Guy 1,” talks about the aspects of Leaving Iowa he is most excited for.
“I’m really excited because I’ll be taking on six very different characters over the course of the two-hour show.” Waynick said. “It will be stretching and developing my acting and improv abilities.”
North Greenville’s production of “Leaving Iowa” will be taking place Nov. 11 through Nov. 13, with a second week of shows Nov. 18 through Nov. 20.
“It’s such a funny yet sentimental show, I think that NGU’s audience will really like it.” said Kytle.
*Featured Image: Leaving Iowa logo – Graphic courtesy of NGU Theatre
