Playhouse Square Audition Announcement

UPDATED DATES FOR REHEARSAL + WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE


SANKOFA
(WORKING TITLE)

Written by: Lisa Langford

Directed by: Ananias J. Dixon
Assistant Directed by: Nina Domingue

Choreography by: Treva Offutt

 

AUDITION DATES:

Friday              January 3rd                  6:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday          January 4th                  11:00am – 5:00pm

CALLBACKS (by invitation):
Sunday            January 5th                  11:00am – 5:00pm

 

Callbacks will include scene work and dancing

FOR INITIAL AUDITIONS:

-All actors must prepare two contrasting, contemporary monologues. Both monologues should not exceed 3 minutes total.
-To receive an audition slot, please send an email to EDUauditions@playhousesquare.org. This email should include your headshot, resume, and which audition day you'd like to attend.
-After you submit your interest, you will then receive a specific audition time on the day you requested, validation for parking downtown, and instructions on where to park and how to enter the Playhouse Square complex.

 

This is a paid position for Non-Equity Actors.

 

We are casting roles for a reading that will be held in March (including two days of rehearsal) and a longer workshop rehearsal period and performance in June.

 

REHEARSAL DATES: Actors must be available for ALL rehearsal times. 

 

March Dates

Tuesday          March 18th                   10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday     March 19th                             10:00am – 5:00pm

 

READING IN THE WESTFIELD STUDIO THEATRE
Wednesday     March 19th                   7:00pm – 9:00pm

 

August Dates – UPDATED REHEARSAL + PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP DATES
Monday           August 4th                     10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday          August 5th                     10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday     August 6th                     10:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday         August 7th                     10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday              August 8th                     10:00am – 5:00pm
Monday           August 11th                    10:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday          August 12th                    10:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday     August 13th                    10:00am – 5:00pm

 

PERFORMANCE ON MIMI OHIO STAGE
Wednesday     August 13th                     4:00pm

                   

PLEASE NOTE: Following this final workshop performance, SANKOFA will have a performance run in February 2026 at Playhouse Square. These are school performances which take place during the day. Those cast in this workshop are not guaranteed roles in that run, but they will be strongly considered. To that end, please audition only if you are planning to be in Cleveland through February 2026. Additionally, if you're a college student in a local theatre or musical theatre program, please secure permission to audition for this project from your faculty before submitting your audition materials.

 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS –

In addition to playing their title character, each actor also plays multiple roles throughout this ensemble show. All actors must be strong movers and improvisers.

 

We are looking for 5 actors to fulfill the following roles:

 

ROYCE: m., African American, high school senior, basketball player, handsome, charming, not as good a student as he could be. Also plays Langston Hughes, Henry Johnson, and Ras the Exhorter

MAISIE: f., African American, high school senior, Royce’s twin sister, sassy, quick-witted, reality TV aficionado, great dancer, good student but focused only on the things she cares about, e.g. money, fame, clout. Needs to move well. Also plays Homesteader, Cindy, and Woman in the Window


DREAMA: f., African American, high school senior, Royce’s girlfriend, sweet, demure, thoughtful, deeply committed to the study of history, headed for Stanford. Also plays Kanku and Zora Neale Hurston


HECTOR: m., Afro-Latino, high school senior, Royce’s best friend, Maisie’s boyfriend, excellent wingman, loyal friend, loves music, great dancer, wants to be a D.J., might join the military. Also plays Harlem Hell fighter, Clive the DJ, Hubert, and Needham 


LAMARCUS: m., African American, high school senior, Royce’s nemesis, star basketball player at a rival high school, great student, also headed for Stanford. Needs to move well. Also plays Mansu Musa, Buffalo Soldier, Alain Locke, and Break Dancer

 

 

 

Molly Andrews-Hinders

(she, her, hers)

Education Content Creation Coordinator
Composer & Line Producer of Velveteen, A New Musical

Playhouse Square

1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 200

Cleveland, OH 44115

molly.andrews-hinders@playhousesquare.org
Direct: 216-640-8460