[NEohioPAL] KARAMU IS HOLDING AUDITIONS FOR "GEM OF THE OCEAN"

[richard morris]

Karamu Performing Arts Theatre 
is holding Auditions for
GEM OF THE OCEAN
by AUGUST WILSON
 Directed by: MICHEAL OATMAN
Production Dates: May 11 – June 3, 2012



 AUDITION DATES
 
·        Thursday           March 1, 2012       7:00pm – 9:00pm.
·        Friday                March 2, 2012      7:00pm – 9:00pm.

 
 AUDITION PREPARATION
 
·         Karamu House is looking for African American male and female actors. 
Please prepare 2 contrasting contemporary monologues.  All will be asked to do a 
cold reading from the script.  Please bring a current, non-returnable headshot 
photo.
 
LOCATION:   2355 East 89th Cleveland Ohio 
 
 
ABOUT THE PLAYSet in1904 Pittsburgh, Gem of the Ocean is the play that begins 
August Wilson’s 10 play cycle dramatizing the African American experience during 
the Twentieth Century. Aunt Ester, the drama’s 285-year old fiery matriarch, 
welcomes into her Hill District home Solly Two Kings, who was born into slavery, 
and scouted for the Union Army, and Citizen Barlow a young man from Alabama 
searching for a new life.
 
 
 
Cast of Characters
 
Aunt Ester Tyler:(African-American, playable 50+) a former slave and a 
"soul-cleanser", who is the head of 1839 Wylie Avenue. She claims to be 285 
years old and acts as the benevolent, if disciplinarian, ruler of the household. 
She entertains the romantic ambitions of Solly. She is a recurring character in 
several of Wilson's plays of the Pittsburgh Cycle.
 
 
 
 

Citizen Barlow:(African American, playable 20s - 30s) A young man from Alabama 
who comes to the house to be cleansed by Ester. He is enlisted to help construct 
a wall, and eventually journeys to The City of Bones.
 
 

Solly Two Kings:(African American, playable 50+) A friend of Aunt Ester. He is a 
former slave from Alabama who later became a conductor on the Underground 
Railroad and a scout for the Union Army. He makes a career of gathering up dog 
excrement, which he calls "pure", for manure. He carries a large walking stick 
and is in love with Aunt Ester. His real name is Alfred Jackson, but he calls 
himself "Two Kings" (referring to King David and King Solomon), and is nicknamed 
Solly.

"Black" Mary Wilkes: (African American, playable 20s - 30s) Ester's housekeeper 
and her protégé in the art of Soul Cleansing. Caeser's sister. She performs most 
of the household tasks, but never to the satisfaction of Ester.

Caesar Wilkes: (African American, playable 30+) Black Mary's brother, a 
policeman, baker and land-owner. He upholds the law at all costs. He practices 
strict capitalism and has no qualms with killing a man over a petty crime.

Eli: (African American, playable 50+) Aunt Ester's caregiver, he protects the 
inhabitants and is constructing a wall. He was Solly's comrade in his efforts on 
the Underground Railroad and for The Union Army.

Rutherford Selig: (Caucasian, playable 30 - 70) A white peddler and friend of 
Ester's who frequently visits the house. He sells pots, pans and other crockery.
 
 
 
REHEARSALS  will begin March 8, this will consist of8 weeks of rehearsals, 3 - 6 
times per week.  The cast will receive the rehearsal schedule by the first cast 
meeting or first rehearsal.
 
COMPENSATION:Non-AEA actors will receive a stipend. 
 
 
 
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Richard H. Morris at 
216.795.7070 ext 236. 
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