Audition Notice: Spades by Randall E. Hall

Directed by: Dylan Todd Brown

Play Synopsis: Set in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, after a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Spades follows the Johnson family as they engage in the ultimate post-holiday ritual: a high-stakes game of Spades. The play explores the cultural significance of the game, which has the power to make or break friendships and relationships. As the cards are dealt, family secrets, sibling rivalries, and romantic tensions surface, leading to a hilarious and intense look at family dynamics.

Audition Details

Dates: May 11 & 12, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Lutheran Church of the Covenant, 19000 Libby Rd, Maple Heights, Ohio 44137
Format: Auditions will consist of group readings from the play. Sides will be provided at the audition. You should expect to arrive on time and stay the entire time. REGISTRATION PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED!
Note: Actors are not required to know how to play Spades if cast; training will be provided during rehearsals.

Production Schedule

Rehearsals Begin: June 7, 2026.
Performance Dates: July 24–26, 2026.

Please bring a list of any conflicts for these dates.

CLICK HERE to register for auditions. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL 216-584-8746!

Character Descriptions

NIKKI (32, Black female): The eldest daughter. Short in stature but possesses a commanding presence. She is a professional who is notoriously serious and competitive about card games and family traditions.
MARCUS (25, Black male): Nikki’s younger brother. Charming, athletic, and a playful jokester. He is an engineer who works from home and is a seasoned, confident "card player."
DWAYNE (30, Black male): Nikki’s fiancé. Tall and slightly stocky with a kind heart. He is new to the family's intense "house rules," having learned a very different style of play in college.
ROBERT (57, Black male): The patriarch of the Johnson family. Muscular and protective, he is a serious Spades player who values the legacy of the game and strictly enforces the house rules.
ALEXIS (27, Black female): The middle child. A beautiful woman with a "rough edge." She is highly competitive and frequently trades barbs with her siblings.
MICHELLE (56, Black female): The matriarch of the household. She carries herself with regal grace and is the undisputed "boss of the house," often acting as the mediator during family squabbles.
NARRATOR (Any age/gender): A guide for the audience who provides cultural commentary on the rituals of the African American family and the high-stakes nature of the game.