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<mailto: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