Lakewood's Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Auditionsfor the docu-drama THE EXONERATED by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen.
THE EXONERATED tells the stories of six individuals whose Death Row sentences
are overturned. It is a powerful drama which lays bare our flawed judicial system and
gnaws at the core of racial inequalities. Along similar bloodlines of "The Laramie Project"
the stories of these 6 men and women are based on actual circumstances.
Open Calls will be by appointment and will occur at Beck Center on Monday,
August 16th and Tuesday, August 17th beginning at 6PM each day.
Director Colleen Longshaw will also accept video submissions for this
initial call as well, though callbacks the following weekend will be held in person.
THE EXONERATED plays in Beck Center's intimate Studio Theatre beginning on
Friday, Oct. 8th and closes Sunday Nov. 7th. Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, Sept. 7th.
To sign up for an in-person audition please call the Beck Center Box Office during
normal business hours at 216-521-2540 x10
on Sunday, August 15th. Video submissions should include material of your choosing,
not to exceed 2 minutes in length. 1 or 2 brief monologues is suggested.
For those who sign up for an in-person audition you will receive a set of sides via
email to peruse. Please choose one side and be prepared to present it at your
open call. A reader will be provided. Monologues are also welcome at the in-person call
should you choose. Sides will be emailed by Friday, August 13th.
Director Colleen Longshaw is seeking a diverse cast of 10. Character descriptions
can be found below. All actors will receive a stipend for their participation, and we
anticipate offering two Actor's Equity contracts using the Special Appearance contract.
Roles: (Descriptions provided by the Dramatists Acting Edition)
ROBERT: African-American, 60. A seminary dropout, radical and poet. his whole personality is like an old soul song: smooth, mellow and with an underlying rhythm that never lets up.
SUNNY, white, 50. A bright, pixie-ish yoga teacher from California; her lightness and
positivity contrast with moments of great depth and clarity.
ROBERT, African-American, 30's. A former horse groomer from the deep south; hardened
but not lacking a sense of humor. Deep rural Mississippi accent.
GEORGIA/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1, African-American, 30's. Robert's wife, also Southern; opinionated and extremely warm. She and Robert have a loving contentious relationship. Loves to speak her mind.
GARY, white, 45. A Midwestern hippie and organic farmer. Clearly was in his element in
the late 60's and early 70's. He is generally good-natured, friendly, and quite smart.
KERRY, white, 45. a 19 year-old trapped in a 45 year old's body, born and bred in
Texas. Kerry was imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years and is eager to rediscover the world.
DAVID, African-American, 40. A gentle, sad man, born and raised in northern Florida. He
has a very strong spiritual sense and had aspirations to the ministry before being put on death
row at 18.
SANDRA/SUE/FEMALE ENSEMBLE, white, 40. Sandra is married to Kerry. Sweet, nurturing,
loves Kerry dearly. Strong Texas accent. Sue is married to Gary. Salt of the earth; she is
also an organic farmer. A Fargo-like accent.
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 AND 2, both white, 35 to 50. Both play a multitude of roles and require
highly versatile, commanding actors.
216-521-2540 x10 to make your appointment.