“Black and Blue Rhapsody” Auditions
WHO: Richard Asbury, local playwright, wants to see his “Black and Blue Rhapsody” project develop into being produced and performed as a fully staged production.
WHAT: Casting Call for reading of Asbury’s 2-Act drama, to refine and develop its concept, characters, content, and format via staged reading Nov. 11, 2018, with full production to follow, spring, 2019.
THE STORY LINE: Set in a neighborhood barber shop. A drama in 2 acts that highlights a look at race relations between African Americans and police, covering a span of almost 50 years. Has anything changed?
CASTING: Seeking actors who may be considered for portraying the lead and supporting characters in both the staged reading and full production. Stipend.
CHARACTERS
Ace, (Marcus) Johnson. Talkative, has many opinions to express, harbors a controlled anger. He seethes with disrespect for White people. Ace wants to earn a life with pride and dignity. He wants to learn a trade so he can make his own job. He also wants help to build a strong Black community. He wants to protest and confront the White man, legally, whenever possible.
George Tate. Barber shop owner. Ages from 30’s to 70’s, Acts 1 & 2. Doesn’t say a lot. He is an introspective type, and is wise in “the ways of the white man” as taught to him by his father and southern relatives. He also wants to help his old neighborhood friend, “Ace” Johnson who is an ex-Offender.
Mary Ellen. A talkative Letter Carrier, who ages from 20’s to 60’s, Acts 1 & 2, and sees herself as a pioneer and has many opinions to express. Bright, hopeful about life, she hopes to show the “Ole Folks” that white people aren’t so bad.
Gamers 1 & 2: 2 noisy, rowdy, laughing teen males who hang out at the barber shop as they play checkers, dominoes, chess, and actively use their cell phones in the 90’s.
Officer John McDonald: Early 40’s. A white, controlling, cool, detached, methodical, third generation police officer. He sees himself as a guardian of the city he calls home from “bad” characters. He sees himself as a cut above Negroes, Mexicans and other minorities.
Officer Kevin Nguyen: Early 20’s rookie police officer. Quiet, disciplined, anxious, eager to please, honest. Wants to develop into a great police officer. Tentative in his new patrol car assignment, he wants to keep the local Negroes and Mexicans in their place, quiet, and obedient.
Officer Hamish McDonald: A tough, no nonsense, impatient, white male early 50’s. He sees himself as a guardian of the city he calls home from “bad” characters. He sees himself as a cut above Negroes.
Vincent X: A bright, dignified, enlightened Fruits of Islam leader for the local Nation of Islam mosque. He is a firm believer in the Nation of Islam as the route to salvation for African Americans. He wants to spread the word for the Nation of Islam to the ignorant Black masses. He has the message he feels they need.
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