Auditions

FIREFLIES

By Matthew Barber

Directed by Tracey Holdsworth

Auditions: Saturday, 29 August from 10.00am by appointment.

Rehearsal schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7.30pm & Sundays at 2.00pm.

Season: 14 November - 5 December 2026

Copies of the script are available upon request from the office.

SYNOPSIS

In a small rural American town, retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister lives alone, settled into a life of quiet routine and fiercely protective of her independence. When a storm passes through, it leaves a hole in her roof and the charming drifter Abel Brown to her door with an offer to help with repairs. What begins as a simple business arrangement gradually grows into something more personal. Can the unexpected sparks of late-life romance be trusted, or is there truth in the gossip that Abel isn’t all that he seems to be? Either way, the whole town is talking.

Fireflies is a warm, quietly powerful play about loneliness, the unexpected people who change us, and finding the courage to open your life to someone new.

SETTING

July 1995. Jackson County, South Texas, in the middle of a hot summer. 

ROLES

(All roles require appropriate southern Texan accents and dialect coaching can be provided. Ages are indicative only. If you feel you may be suitable for a role, you are encouraged to audition.)

Eleanor Bannister (Female, 60s – 70s) A retired schoolteacher and spinster who values her independence above all else. Well-dressed, dignified and gracious, she lives alone in the family home she has lived in since she was born. Eleanor is private, respected in the community and set in her ways. She keeps people at a distance, though there is warmth and vulnerability beneath the surface that emerges on her terms.

Abel Brown (Male, 60s – 70s) A handyman and drifter who has stopped in the town looking for odd jobs. Abel is steady and self-possessed, effortlessly attractive, charming, and slightly mysterious. He listens carefully and speaks with purpose, bringing a quiet patience that begins to unsettle Eleanor’s routines. He also sees himself as a musician and a southern gentleman.

Note: Actors able to passably play a violin, guitar, or similar stringed instrument will be able to incorporate this aspect into the character.

Grace Bodell (Female, 50s – 70s) Eleanor’s neighbour and long-time friend. Grace is casual but polished, without pretension, sociable, and closely connected to the rhythms of the town. A busybody and a bit of a gossip, she speaks her mind to Eleanor, who responds likewise. They have known each other for most of their lives and have a great affection and trust for one another. She brings a familiar familiarity  and humour, while also reflecting the expectations of a community that watches closely.

Eugene Claymire (Male, 30s – 40s) The town’s local police officer. Astute and unflappable, with a relaxed manner and an easy laugh. He is former student of Eleanor’s, and is fond of her and respectful.of whom is fond of and respectful. Although, she still thinks of him as a boy who was unlikely to ever amount to much.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

I’m excited to have the chance to direct Fireflies – a sweetly optimistic and heartfelt play. One of the descriptions I read called it “a humorous and hopeful love story for feisty women”. I think this captures the essence of Eleanor and Grace, as we see them questioning pre-conceived expectations, taking chances, exploring trust, and maybe finding unexpected love and passion in the process.

Fireflies is a subtle and character-led ensemble piece that finds it strengths in small moments and honest connections. The relationships sit at the heart of the work, as each character brings their own history into the room, and the actors explore how those histories shape the way their connects characters connect, or struggle to connect, with each other.

I’m looking to build a strong ensemble that will work well together, and create real and recognisable characters to make the audience both laugh and cry. I enjoy working collaboratively with my cast, and aim to provide an environment where everyone feels free to play, be creative, take risks and work hard.

The play contain scenes of physical and emotional intimacy between the characters. In observance with the Equity NZ Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen, an Intimacy Adviser will be engaged by Howick Little Theatre to support the production and the cast. More information on this process is available from Equity NZ at equity.org.nz/resources. 

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Tracey has been part of Auckland’s community theatre scene for nearly two decades, both on and off stage. Originally from the UK, she’s called New Zealand home for the past 25 years, and in that time she’s built a life filled with music, performance, family, and plenty of cups of tea (and glasses of wine).

A familiar face to Howick Little Theatre audiences, Tracey has appeared in Steel Magnolias, Sitting Pretty and California Suite. She made her directorial debut in 2021 with Dinner with Friends for HLT Studio, and followed it in 2023 with Old Love by Norm Foster and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang in 2025.

When she’s not in rehearsals, Tracey leads the marketing for the Auckland Philharmonia, bringing orchestral music to audiences across the city. Despite a full calendar, she continues to support the arts and encourage creative expression.

Watch this space for details of upcoming auditions for the plays in HLT's 2027 season. Meanwhile, you can sign up to the HLT emailing list to receive advance information.