The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a "good ole boy."
Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy in the second act, and the characters must draw on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Written by Robert Harling; Steel Magnolias is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, a Concord Theatricals Company. www.dramatists.com
WHERE: Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave, Carnegie PA 15106
AUDITION DATES: Sunday, March 8, 1:00-4:00 p.m. and Monday, March 9, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
CALLBACK DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 7:00-10:00 p.m. (Callbacks are by invitation and will take place at Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.)
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
You will audition using monologues from the show – an audition packet with sides will be sent within 48 hours of you signing up for an audition slot.
You may be asked to read additional sides in the audition room – come prepared to show off!
Must be 18 years of age or older.
We strongly encourage you to schedule an audition slot ahead of time but will try to accommodate walk-ins.
Auditions will run in groups of 6 every 15 minutes. Please choose a slot from the available times. If the selection is active, there is room for you in that time slot. If it is grayed out and not selectable, the time slot is full. Please choose another time.
Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before your chosen date/time and check in at the lobby table to avoid undue crowding.
REHEARSALS: Rehearsals start on Sunday, March 22. Rehearsals will run Sundays 3-7 p.m. and Mondays-Thursdays 7-10 p.m., and will take place at St. John Lutheran Church in Carnegie. The rehearsal schedule is subject to change.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES: May 8-10 & 15-17, 2026, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30 p.m., Sundays @ 2:00 p.m.
PERFORMANCE VENUE: Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave, Carnegie, PA 15106
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Sean Michael Barrett
Producer: Jess Whittington
Stage Manager: Jena Curran
Asst. Stage Manager: Sydney Shearer
Please direct any questions to productions@stage62.org.
Character Descriptions:
We will also be casting 3 understudies who will be covering the following roles:
Annelle/Shelby • Truvy/M'Lynn • Clairee/Ouiser
**The women in this play are witty, intelligent, and above all, real characters. They in no way, shape, or form are meant to be portrayed as cartoons or caricatures.
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40ish. Owner of a small town beauty shop. She knows everyone’s business and shares it with anyone who will listen. Southern Belle. She always has advice for you, and they often come in the form of country sayings.
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19. Beauty shop assistant - very shy. She goes from a very soft-spoken person to a bible-loving Christian with her heart on her sleeve.
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66ish. Grand dame and widow of the former mayor of Chinquapin. She is wealthy and also knows everyone’s business. She is the sarcastic member of the group. She loves to laugh and poke fun at the little things that others cry over. She is very close with Ouiser.
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25. Prettiest girl in town, and loved by all. She has an interesting relationship with her mother, and often rebels just for the sake of rebellion.
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50ish. Shelby’s mother. Socially prominent career woman. She is over-protective at times and finds the need to have a firm grasp on the world at all times. She is a busy woman who worries too much for her age.
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Pronounced “Weezer.” 66ish. Wealthy curmudgeon. Acerbic but lovable. Her unique personality and sense of humor is a great relief in the serious scenes. She is very close to Clairee.