The Miss Firecracker Contest
by Wimberley Players

Nov. 28 - Nov. 29 (2016)

The place is the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven, the time a few days before the Fourth of July. Carnelle Scott (known locally as "Miss Hot Tamale") is rehearsing furiously for the Miss Firecracker Contest—hoping that a victory will salvage her tarnished reputation and allow her to leave town in a blaze of glory. The unexpected arrival of her cousin Elain, a former Miss Firecracker winner, (who has walked out on her rich but boring husband and her two small children) complicates matters a bit, as does the repeated threat of Elain's eccentric brother, Delmount, (recently released from a mental institution) to sell the family homestead and decamp for New Orleans. But, aided by a touchingly awkward seamstress named Popeye (who is hopelessly smitten by Delmount) and several other cheerfully nutty characters, Carnelle perseveres—leading to a denouement of unparalleled hilarity, compassion and moving lyricism as all concerned finally escape their unhappy pasts and turn hopefully toward what must surely be a better future. (source dramatists.com)

Director: Aaron Johnson

Audition Dates:

  • Monday, Nov. 28th at 7:00 pm at the Wimberley Playhouse
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29th at 7:00 pm at the Wimberley Playhouse

Callbacks will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 10:00am-2:00 pm, at the Wimberley Playhouse located at 450 Old Kyle Road, Wimberley TX 78676

For information and to schedule audition, please email auditions@wimberleyplayers.org

Process:  1st round – Monologue optional. Actors may bring a monologue if they have one prepared, otherwise they will be asked to read from the script. Callbacks – Group readings, sides will be provided.

Please schedule a reserved audition time slot by emailing the address below and bring a headshot and resume. Callbacks will be by invitation only. Not all potential cast members will be called back. 

Performances February 10th - March 5th 2017, Fri/Sat curtain at 7:30, Sun at 2:30

Characters:

Carnelle Scott: Early 20’s, The product of a broken home in small town Mississippi, Carnelle turned to promiscuity in a search for  attention. In the process she earned for herself the monicker of "Miss Hot Tamale.” She is attempting to redeem her reputation by entering and winning the Miss Firecracker Contest.

Popeye Jackson: Early 20’s, A local seamstress responsible for designing Carnelle's pageant wear. Her nickname is the result of a childhood prank gone wrong. She learned to sew by making costumes for bullfrogs because she didn't have any dolls. Naive but sincere, she falls in love with Carnelle's cousin Delmount.

Elain Rutledge: Early to mid 30’s, Carnelle's Cousin. Having won the Miss Firecracker contest when she was only seventeen, she is everything Carnelle is not. Success as a beauty queen was followed by marriage to a wealth man and a life of luxury. However, she now plans to leave her husband and their two sons feeling suffocated by them.

Delmount Williams: Late 20’s- early 30’s, Carnelle's cousin and Elain's brother. He was previously institutionalized for mental instability. Rash to act and violent at times, he fancies himself a bit of a philosopher and is obsessed with exotic beauty. He is equally disdainful of the Miss Firecracker Contest and of Elain's life choices.

Mac Sam: Mid-to-late 30’s, A former lover from Carnelle's promiscuous past who still caries a torch fer her. He is the carnival's alcoholic, tubercular, and syphilitic balloon vendor who, outside of his affection for Carnelle, has grown tired of life.

Tessy Mahoney: Early 20’s, A coordinator with the Miss Firecracker Contest, her job is to keep the contestants on schedule. Her past includes a scandalous fling with Delmount which she is eager to renew.