By Horton Foote
Directed by Sam Barrett

Synopsis

In Horton Foote's sharp and deeply human comedy-drama, family loyalty, buried resentments, and financial realities collide as generations struggle to preserve a fading legacy.

The Gordon family has owned a vast Texas estate for generations, but changing times and mounting pressures have left its future uncertain. As family members gather to confront difficult decisions about the property, long-held grievances surface, alliances shift, and competing visions for the future threaten to divide more than just the land itself.

With his trademark compassion and keen understanding of family dynamics, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Horton Foote creates a rich portrait of a family wrestling with change, tradition, and the complicated bonds that connect them. Both humorous and poignant, Dividing the Estate explores what we inherit, what we leave behind, and the enduring ties that shape our lives.

A moving and insightful examination of family, identity, and the passage of time, this acclaimed play offers audiences a compelling story filled with warmth, honesty, and unforgettable characters.

Charaters

• STELLA: Female, 60-80, Stella is the octogenarian matriarch of the clan, ruling over the family with an iron fist. Bold, brash, and not afraid to speak her mind.

• MARY JO: Female, 25-40, Stella’s younger daughter. She has come to visit from Houston with her husband, Bob. She has very strong feelings about dividing the estate.

• LUCILLE: Female, 40-50, Stella’s older daughter who lives with Stella on the farm. Very reserved and caters to Stella’s every word.

• LEWIS: Male, 40-50, Stella’s only son. An alcoholic. He is in favor of dividing the estate because he wastes all of his monthly income. Very loud and opinionated.

• SON: Male, 20-30, Lucille’s son. He left college to run the family farm/estate when his father died. Very loyal and responsible. A typical farm boy.

• BOB: Male, 25-40, Mary Jo’s husband. A loud, bombastic oilman who has lost a fortune with the drop in oil. He is out of money and has nowhere to turn.

• DOUG: Male, 60-80, African-American family retainer who has lived on the farm since Stella was five years old. He does not get along with the guests.

• MILDRED: Female, 20-30, African-American housekeeper who is slowly taking over control of the household. Doug feels threatened by her.

• CATHLEEN: Female, 40-50, African American long-suffering servant of the family. Cathleen often wonders about the estate. She and Mildred are working together.

• IRENE: Female, 20-30, Lewis’ secret girlfriend. She makes an appearance toward the end of the play. She is known as a “floosy”.

• PAULINE: Female, 20-30, She is the know-it-all schoolteacher engaged to Son. She is an outsider to the family who gains a lot of admiration for her education and good looks.

• SISSY: Female, 13-19, One of Mary Joe and Bob’s teenage daughters. They are spoiled rotten and show it through every word that comes out of their mouths.

• EMILY: Female, 13-19, One of Mary Joe and Bob’s teenage daughters. They are spoiled rotten and show it through every word that comes out of their mouths.

Auditions

Audition information will be provided at a later date. 

Helpful note: We will have an audition form for you to fill out. If you have an acting resume, that will help save you from filling out as much information! 

Show dates include nine performances between
March 12 and March 28.

Learn more about Colonial Playhouse.

Ask us questions about the auditions: colonialplayhousetheater@yahoo.com.