Clinically Undepressed
by Bastrop Opera House
Jan. 15 (2022)
Clinically Un-Depressed is a two-act dramatic comedy where Cole Black, a boy with a chemical imbalance that renders him unable to be sad or angry, changes everyone around him. The story is told from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran, Millard Anderson, who is the grumpy old man of the neighborhood. His main pleasure in life is yelling at kids from his front porch. Most kids run, but Cole sticks around, starts talking to him, and transforms Millard’s miserable life into something wonderful. Cole’s father, Blake Black, a high-strung lawyer, is psychologically abusive to his wife and Cole. But, to Cole, his father is a source of fascination as he tries to understand the emotions which are a mystery to him. Because Cole responds differently, people have to respond to him differently. The school bully becomes his best friend, the uppity girl becomes his girlfriend, he becomes his boss’s go-to person for how to run a business and other lives are changed.
Directed by: Will Holcomb
Auditions January 15th, 2022, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm
Rehearsal dates: TBD
Performance Dates: March 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm; March 13, 20, 27 at 2:30 pm
Readings will be provided for auditions. Please bring head-shot and be prepared to list all conflicts through March.
Characters (The roles of Millard Anderson and teen-age Cole Black have been precast):
Cole Blake (young): Plays the part of 12 year old Cole. Actor must look approximately 12 years of age.
Linda Black: Cole’s mother. She spans the ages of a new mother to the
mother of a 17-year old. Linda is a generally nice person but is
psychologically beaten down at the start of the play by her
husband, Blake.
Blake Black: Cole’s father. He spans the ages of a new father to the
father of a 17-year old. A high-paid lawyer with anger issues. That
changes as the play progresses.
Jimmy Masters: (Middle school age) School bully.
Sandy: (15-21 years old) Counter clerk at Big Bite Burger and the girlfriend of the 17-year old Cole.
Potential Double Cast
Dean: (17-55) Thug who robs Cole
Jim Masters: (35-55) Jimmy’s father
Mr. Thompson: (45-80) Big Bite Burger customer
Nancy Masters: (35-55) Jimmy’s mother
Mr. Brown: (35-55) Expecting father in hospital waiting room.
Male or female:
Nurse: Nurse in maternity ward
Mr./Mrs. Reynolds: Defending attorne
Owner of Big Bite Burger
Please send any questions to plays@bastropoperahouse.org.
