CHARACTERS: 6 WOMEN, 6 MEN (Additional company if desired.)

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SARAH MEEKS (Lead,W.)- Early-30’s. Disillusioned after a series of failed

pregnancies. Travels to Prague in search of an antique toy. Strong singer-actress

with extremely emotive voice. Soprano, A below, to sus. F Mix Belt.

PETR KLIMES (Lead, M.)- The Toy Maker. mid 30’s, A farmer, and ex-mine

worker, physically imposing but mild-mannered. Baritone with a very wide

range. A below to A above.

ANNA KLIMES (Lead, W.)- Petr’s wife. Mid thirties. A once strong woman who

is losing faith and worn down by life. Mezzo.

JASON MEEKS (Lead, M.)- Sarah’s husband. Supportive, Loving. Always

wanted children. Lyric Baritone.

DOBY- (Supporting, M.) A mischievous, intelligent Czech street urchin. Must

have great comic timing and carry a believable Czech accent. Must play believable

16. Rock tenor with classical capabilities.

CAPEK- (Supporting, Teen) A simple boy, orphaned, who assists Petr with his

toy making. Must play a believable 14. Must sing very well and have a

comfortable high A.

JOHANNA- 60’s. (Supporting, W.) Strong actress. A puppeteer in Germany.

Passionate to the point of eccentricity. Mezzo.

UTA – (Supporting, W.) Authentic German accent. Once a Matron of

Ravensbruck. Blind. Must play believable 80’s. Strong character Alto with very

rich tones.

YOUNG JOAHANNA- (Supporting, W.) Girl, 18+ to play believable younger

teen. Warm, inviting quality. Bird-like soprano, with a lilting quality.

CAPEK LISKA- (Supporting, M.) Man to play believable 70-80. Must learn to

speak realistic Czech. Strong singer who emerges from the company to step into

this role.

2-6 COMPANY MEMBERS (1-2 M, 1-2 W) TO COVER: BIDDERS /GERMAN

POLICE/ CAPEK LISKA’S GRANDSON, AIRPORT ATTENDANT, SECURITY

GUARD / MUSEUM DOCENT. ***Several Principal roles are primary to the

second act and these actors double smaller roles/ ghosts of Lidice, etc. ***Note.

The piece has been successfully conveyed with 10 company members. Ideally a company of

12-14

TIME AND ACTION: The ToyMaker takes place in two intertwining time periods.

The first, modern, beginning of the 21st century. The second, German Occupied

Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) 1942.

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Author’s note: Conceptually, the two intertwining worlds of The ToyMaker should

seem to encompass one space in time, overlapping, invading and ultimately

complementing one another.

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