​Character Descriptions:

We are looking to cast 14-16 actors. Depending on who auditions, we may cast a couple people to play two roles. Please keep in mind that this play is based on real people who lived in a large “efficient” family, and that this particular snapshot of them occurred during the 1920’s. We are open to casting any race or ethnicity for these roles.

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Mr. Frank Gilbreth: Stage age is 50’s. He is kind of like a Captain Von Trapp character. He uses a whistle to gather his crew of kids together as quickly as possible. Organization and efficiency are top priorities to him. He loves his wife dearly and will actually listen to her and be swayed by her. He’s a very protective father, and that’s why he and his eldest daughter, Anne, butt heads a lot. He can be a commanding and controlling disciplanarian, but he does love his family a lot. He’s proud of them and their accomplishments. Frank Gilbreth was originally a brick layer, but he rose to become a construction superintendent and eventually a contractor who was hired to study and improve work methods. His focus was on efficiency, and he became a pioneer in time-and-motion studies.

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Mrs. Lillian Gilbreth: Stage age is 40’s. She carries herself in a prim and proper way. She’s very neatly dressed. Mrs. Gilbreth knows how to soften and calm down her husband in her quiet and subtle way. Her children really respect her, and her sense of humor and sarcasm is definitely noticeable. She is gracious and attractive, not the disciplinarian her husband is. Lillian Gilbreth was the first woman to earn a PhD in applied psychology. She was also the mind behind the kitchen work triangle, pedal trash can, and fridge-door shelves. Lillian was an American psychologist, industrial engineer, consultant, and educator…an early pioneer in applying psychology to time-and-motion studies.

THE GILBRETH CHILDREN:
Anne: The oldest of the Gilbreth children. She should look around 17. Anne is very smart and skips grades because she also tests really well. She is very much into boys now and is leading the way for her younger sisters, Ernestine and Martha, with what she can get away with in regards to her dad’s rules. We do see Anne’s dressing style change as the play progresses and we see her stand up to her father….to a point. Her younger sisters look up to her and her younger brothers tease her. 

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Ernestine: Probably just one or two years younger than Anne, and she tries to push her sister to test the limits with their dad some. Ernestine and her brother Frank will step out of character several times to become narrators of the story. They will also sing a short song together acapella during one of their reminiscing moments. Ernestine and Anne are very close because they both share the bond of being in high school and dealing with social contempt because of their large, unconventional family. Ernestine is also obsessed with a guy at school who drives a motorcycle.

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Frank: He is also in high school right around Anne and Ernestine's ages. He steps out of character occasionally with Ernestine to become a narrator. Also, he sings a short song acapella with Ernestine while they reminisce. Named for his father, Frank Jr. feels the full weight of his name. He tries his best to live up to his dad's expectations. When all is said and done, he is a supportive, smart brother to his siblings and a sincere, trustworthy son.

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Martha: Our Martha is a pre-teen who is trying so hard to fit in with her two older sisters, but still acts like a 12 year old. She loves to read so she often has a book in her hand. Martha can also put her foot in her mouth, but is sweet and vibrant. 

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Jackie, Dan, Bill, Fred and Lillian can all be portrayed as real kids who love to please their parents, play with a dog, challenge their dad, play outside, do their chores and just be authentic, energetic, kids. They can be various stage ages ranging from 6-11. We are open to casting 5 young actors of any gender for these roles. 

(the following two characters could be played by two different actors, or one)

Mrs. Fitzgerald: Stage age is 40s-70s. A housekeeper for the Gilbreth’s. She is a kind woman, devoted to the Gilbreth family. She mostly takes care of the cooking.

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Miss Brill: Stage age is 40s-70s. She is a teacher at the children' s high school; and ironically she does not like children. Short, to the point, brisk– are all characteristics of Miss Brill’s. She is definitely not warm and fuzzy nor friendly even to the parents. Another irony is that Miss Brill is not a character in the original book Cheaper by the Dozen or its film adaptations, but rather the title character of a separate, famous short story by Katherine Mansfield. 

(the following two characters could also be played by two different actors, or just one)

Joe Scales: Stage age is 18. Joe is a cocky, showy teenager and high school cheerleader. He will actually do a cheer in his scene. He has a LOT of energy. Joe arrives at the Gilbreth family home to take oldest daughter Anne out, but leaves in a huff after encountering Anne’s dad.

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Larry: Stage age is 18. Larry is pretty much the opposite of Joe, in that he is a calmer personality. He’s much more soft-spoken compared to Joe Scales. Very clean cut, a football player type, Larry is genuinely interested in dating Anne, even if it means being chaperoned and following Mr. Gilbreth’s rules.

Dr. Barton: Stage age is 40s-60s. This is a small role, but a significant one. In his pivotal scene with Mr. Gilbreth, we discover the heart condition that our leading father has. This is a family doctor who knows the family well and cares deeply for them.