[NEohioPAL]Karamu General Casting Call 2005/2006 Theatre Season

[Vivian Wilson]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, June 22, 2005

KARAMU PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE is holding a GENERAL CASTING CALL for the
2005/2006 Mainstage Season.


Karamu Performing Arts Theatre 2005/2006 Season Presents The 90th
Anniversary: Raising The Roof Revivals!


Call Dates: SATURDAY August 20 & SUNDAY August 21
                   August 20th, 10AM - 4PM
                   August 21st, 11am-5PM

All actors/actresses must have a headshot and two contrasting monologues not
exceeding three minutes each. Please come in comfortable clothing and be
prepared to move. Karamu is a multicultural institution and encourages
artist of all nationalities to attend the casting call.  Directors of each
play will be present.

The theatre is located at 2355 East 89th (between Quincy and Cedar).


The 2005/2006 Season is listed below (performance dates not listed) that
gives you a brief synopsis of each play and general cast breakdown.

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Karamu Performing Arts Theatre celebrates the institution's 90th anniversary
during the 2005/2006 season by reviving works that have successfully graced
the Karamu stage in the past. The 2005/2006 theme Raising The Roof Revivals!
will bring back four unforgettable classics, one original revival hit and a
classic never before staged at Karamu.

THE ODD COUPLE (Female Version) by Neil Simon (Ohio premier)
If you can't make it to Broadway this Fall to catch a revival of this comedy
classic, hurry on down to Karamu. Yes, Unger and Madison will be at it again
on our stage, but, a twist! This time it's Florence Unger and Olive Madison,
in Neil Simon's hilarious contemporary comic classic. Instead of the poker
party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls
over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The hilarious Conzuela brothers have
replaced the Pigeon sisters.  Join us to see what crazy antics these two get
involved in while discussing marriage problems in the clever dialogue that
can only come from this master playwright.

(6 WOMEN, 2 MEN) Non-Traditional Casting; Also seeking 2 Hispanic actors;
Cast Age Ranges: 30's - 50's


BLACK NATIVITY by Langston Hughes (Annual Musical)
This annual Christmas classic by Karamu alumnus Langston Hughes celebrates
it's 20th Anniversary at Karamu this season, and is a must see. Black
Nativity is a theatrical presentation focused on the religious and the
spiritual aspects of the Christmas story.  It is performed with electrifying
gospel music, colorful costuming and with stunning dance context. Director
Terence Greene, along with CCDT dancers Michael Medcalf and Natasha Colon as
Joseph and Mary return to perform again in this annual holiday tradition.
 December 9, 2005 - December 30, 2006, (Jelliffe Theatre) Terence Greene,
Director
(Casting Call TBA)


THE COLORED MUSEUM by George C. Wolfe (Comedy Satire)
This is the classic that placed Wolfe, former Artistic Director for the
Public Theatre in New York City, on the map as a playwright.  It was first
produced in 1986 in New Brunswick, New Jersey at Crossroads Theatre. It is
one of the most original and sought out plays in American Theatre. Wolfe
pulls no punches or kicks to the ribs, heart or funnybone as he views Black
history through a satirical microscope; exploring a series of eleven
exhibits such as "Git on Board", "Cookin' With Aunt Ethel", "The Last
Mama-On-The-Couch Play", and the scathing "Soldier with a Secret". This
museum is funky and outrageous. Caroline Jackson-Smith, Director

(3 WOMEN, 2 MEN); African-American Cast; Cast Age Range: 20's - 40's

BEFORE IT HITS HOME by Cheryl L. West (Drama)
Winner of the Helen Hayes Award and Susan Smith Blackburn award for best
new play in 1991, this drama examines the two worlds of Wendal Bailey,
black jazz musician whose bisexuality endangers both himself and his loved
ones; his pregnant fiancée, his male lover, his parents, brother, and 12
year-old son. After finding out he has AIDS, he comes home to regain his
strength and find comfort, but a festive evening celebrating his return
turns into a disaster. Ultimately, the only support and love he finds as he
lies in his death- bed comes from an unexpected source. Karamu revives
West's powerful and moving play, which is one of few dramas addressing
HIV/AIDS, homophobia and the DL "down low" within the black community. (* DL
is a new term that was defined over two years ago in the black community. A
married or involved man who identifies as
straight while having a secret affair with the same sex) Karamu will be
joining local HIV/AIDS service organizations to increase community awareness
of one of the most critical health issues of our times.  Ray Allmond,
Director

(5 MEN, 4 WOMEN); Including (1) Black Male actor (early teens);
Also Seeking Asian or Hispanic actress; Cast Age Ranges: 20's - 50's

DREAM ON MONKEY MOUNTAIN by Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott (Drama
Adventure)
Last seen on the Karamu stage thirty-four years ago, this timely classic
returns to the Jelliffe theatre once again. It was first performed on August
12, 1967, at the Central Library Theatre in Toronto, Canada and made its New
York City debut on March 14, 1971, Off Broadway at St. Mark's Playhouse,
with Walcott collecting an Obie award and touring Europe to boot. After
filming the lead in Superfly the late Karamu alum Ron 'O Neal returned to
Cleveland to direct and star as Corporal Lestrade in this production with
another alum, the late classical actor Clayton Corbin. It premiered at
Karamu April 6, 1972. Praised by critics and scholars as a masterpiece Dream
on Monkey Mountain  is a complex allegory, which, at its heart, concerns
racial identity. Makak, the central character of the play, lives alone on
Caribbean Monkey Mountain and has not seen his own reflection in thirty
years. Much of the play consists of his dream in which he discovers his self
worth as a black man. It is a work to behold-weaving together fantasy and
reality, and examining the spirit of man who some think has magical powers.
Was he once a king? Terrence Spivey, Director, Co-Choreographer and Lisa
Langford, Dramaturg.

(7 Men, 2 Women-West Indies Dialect a plus)
Seeking 1 Caucasian Female, 20's-30's
Seeking 1 Black Male over six feet, very slim
Seeking actor/actress who can play congas
(Partial Nudity is required for one of the male leads)


Karamu House is a Non-Equity theatre. However, Equity artist are also
welcomed to audition.


KARAMU HOUSE
Karamu Performing Arts Theatre
2355 East 89 St.
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-795-7070
Terrence  Spivey
Artistic Director