AUDITION NOTICE

                Writer of the award-winning comedy, Jake’s Dilemma, is holding auditions for a new dramatic comedy, Home for the Holidays, which will run the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th weeks of November in North Olmsted.  Needed are actors and actresses of any age, race, gender or experience level.

                                Audition Dates:                           August 7^th and 8^th

                                Time:                                           7:00 pm

                                Place:                                          North Olmsted United Methodist

                                                                        4600 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted, Ohio  44070

                                OR BY APPOINTMENT

Auditions for Home for the Holidays

CAST OF CHARACTERS

JIM                                          Caucasian, male 25                (lead)

MOM                                       Caucasian female, 60             (supporting)

VESEY                                      Caucasian male, 65                (lead)

BOB                                         Male 20’s                                (supporting)

CHERYL                                   Female, late 20’s                    (supporting)

JERRY                                      Male                                        (minor)

ANDREW                                Any age, gender, race           (minor)

NURSE/MAN                          Any age, gender, race           (minor)

Auditions also for The High Road to be performed in February 2019

CAST OF CHARACTERS

PRE-AUDITIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD FOR A DRAMA TO BE PRODUCED IN

FEBRUARY AT THE SAME VENUE.  THE OPEN ROLES ARE LISTED BELOW

Benjamin, African-American male, 30’s to 50’s         LEAD

Mr. Forsythe, Caucasian male, 60’s                            MINOR                                                                     

Hattie, African- American female, 30’s to 70’s          MAJOR                                                                 

Rev. Fetters, Caucasian male, 40’s to 70’s                            SUPPORTING                                                                                  

James Forsythe, Caucasian male, late 20’s                            LEAD                                                                                         

Aunt Emily, Caucasian female, 60’s                           MAJOR                                                   

Doctor Fontenot, Caucasian male, 40’s to 60’s          SUPPORTING                                            

Clare Forsythe, Caucasian female, 17                                   SUPPORTING                                                                                         

Eve Dupre, Caucasian female, 20’s, attractive           MAJOR                                                    

Davis, Caucasian male, 40’s                                       MINOR                                  

Farley, Caucasian Male, late 20’s                               SUPPORTING                                    

Jake, Caucasian male, 30’s                                          MINOR                                                   

Slave 1, African American male, 40’s                        MINOR                                                           

Slave 2, African-American male, 20’s or early 30’s   MINOR                                                    

Wesley, African-American male child, 9                    MINOR

THE HIGH ROAD

            The play is set in the parlor of a mansion on a cotton plantation in Alabama in February of 1860, the year before the start of the Civil War.  James Forsythe, age twenty-five, has just returned from studying in the North after the sudden death of his mother.  When informed that his father is dying and that he must take over the plantation, he forces a moral dilemma.  He has come to believe that slavery is wrong and determines to free his slaves.  When Benjamin, his chief slave, makes him realize that the slaves are bound more by their lack of education than their chains, James determines to bring in a teacher to educate the slaves before they are freed.  He recruits a teacher, Eve, with whom he falls in love. 

James faces challenges by the other plantation owners who employ various economic measures and finally resort to threats of violence to attempt to ensure that James is not successful.  With the common sense, savvy and help of Benjamin and the surprising wisdom of his “simple” Aunt Emily he is able to sell his crop and free the slaves.

            The play contains much historically accurate information about the Underground Railroad and pioneer African-Americans in the fields of law, religion, medicine and politics before the Civil War.  The play also provides insights into the economics of slavery and the interrelationships of plantation owners, slaves and sharecroppers.  The play makes the point that only through education can a person really be free to pursue his dreams.  Any number of African-Americans can be utilized to sing spirituals at the close of the first act and at intermission.  Any number of African-Americans can participate in the slave house scene and any number of African-American children can participate in the school scene. 

          For information and/or sides or to send headshots and resumes, email lavellearb@aim.com.  To schedule an audition at other than the times above, call Gregory J. Lavelle at (440) 724-4538.