[NEohioPAL] Seeking Actors for June Workshop: The Oberlin Wellington Rescue Theater Project

[Debra Wise]

*Seeking Actors for June Workshop: The Oberlin Wellington Rescue Theater
Project*

*What:* Paid engagement. Developmental workshop of a new play with
playwright Ifa Bayeza, exploring a transformative chapter of the history of
the Underground Railroad. Will lead toward a premiere projected for ‘23. (
www.owrproject.org)


*When: *Workshop Dates: Sat. June 11 through Friday, June 17.

*How to Submit:* Via Email ASAP to Debra Wise, Producing Artistic Director,
dwise at undergroundrailwaytheater.org: Headshot/Resume, Paragraph re interest
in project, and all availability (day and evening) for the workshop dates.
Virtual interview/audition may be requested.


*Who: *A cast of 10-15 actors to represent Black and white residents of
1850’s Oberlin/Wellington/Cleveland, ranging in ages 12-80. Actors of all
racial, ethnic, and gender identities are invited to submit, and actors
with disabilities. Union and non/union.


*Questions*: Debra Wise, dwise at undergroundrailwaytheater.org, 617-645-2046


*Representative list *of only a few of the many characters in this
play-in-progress:


*John Price *escaped from the Bacon plantation in Mason County, KY, crossed
the Ohio River and made his way to Cincinnati and eventually to Oberlin –
all in spite of the fact that he suffered a malformed leg that turned his
foot almost entirely backwards. Black, male, 20’s.


*John Copeland, Jr*. attended Oberlin and was a leader of the Rescue,
bursting into the Wellington hotel where John Price was held. Accompanied
Price to Canada, then went to Harper’s Ferry with John Brown and was later
tried and hanged.  Black, male, 20’s.


*James Harris Fairchild *was the third president of Oberlin College, a
committed abolitionist, and professor of theology, philosophy, Latin,
Greek, and mathematics. John Price was brought to his house after the
Rescue and hidden there. White, male, 40’s.


*Mary Fletcher Kellogg Fairchild* was one of the first 4 women to be
admitted to Oberlin College, but did not graduate after her father's
business failed. While in Louisiana, she held an enslaved woman, whom she
later emancipated. She married Fairchild, had 6 children. White, female,
40’s.


*Anderson Jennings *spoke with a heavy Kentucky accent, was hired by John
Bacon and appointed power of attorney for Bacon to capture John. He was a
farmer, ran a livery stable, held 13 enslaved people, carried 2 pistols and
a pair of handcuffs. White, male, 40’s.


*Seth Bartholomew *was a tinware peddler who considered himself in show
business, promoting a new theatrical innovation: the “panorama.”  Had a
reputation for being a liar. White, male, 30’s.


*Delilah Evans. *Came to Oberlin from North Carolina.  Her siblings
were *Wilson
Bruce Evans* (in the Rescue and a carpenter - his house still stands)
and *Henry
Evans* (also in the Rescue and a carpenter).  Became a prominent
abolitionist in town.  Black, female, 40’s.


*Shakespeare Boynton* was the young son of a wealthy Oberlin landholder who
was convinced by Jennings to entrap John Price. In this play, he is given a
chance to grow. White, male, early teens.

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