Gem of the Ocean Auditions
SYNOPSIS: In Wilson’s penultimate play of the American Century Cycle, the ancestral past is reseeded within the community through Aunt Ester who guides Citizen on a journey to owning his individual past and remembering his collective history.
AUDITION DATES AND LOCATION:
11/15 12-2pm - ECHO ROOM (Campus Center)
11/15 2-5pm - LITTLE THEATRE (Campus Center)
11/16 12-4pm - LITTLE THEATRE (Campus Center)
First priority of casting decision will be William & Mary students, but auditions are open to the professional community. Sign-up for a time slot on the callboard in Morton Theatre Lobby (first call board on the 1st floor, on the left hand) beginning November 1. Please prepare the following from any of the categories:
CATEGORY 1
1-2 minute comedic AND dramatic monologue
16-32 bars of a spiritual, gospel song or lullaby
CATEGORY 2
1-2 minute poem/spoken word AND 1-2 minute monologue
16-32 bars of a spiritual, gospel song or lullaby
CALLBACKS: 11/17 6-9pm - LITTLE THEATRE (Campus Center)
*CAST INFORMATION:
-Aunt Ester Tyler: a very old, yet vital spiritual advisor for the community; character identifies as Black
-Black Mary Wilkes: Aunt Ester’s protégé and housekeeper; character identifies as Black
-Eli: Aunt Ester’s gatekeeper and longtime friend of Solly; character identifies as Black
-Solly Two Kings: suitor to Aunt Ester, former Underground Railroad conductor; character identifies as Black
-Citizen Barlow: a young man from Alabama who is in spiritual turmoil; character identifies as Black
-Caesar Wilkes: Black Mary’s brother and locale constable; character identifies as Black
-Rutherford Selig: a traveling peddler who is a frequent visitor of the house; character identifies as White
-Chorus: 3-9 supporting roles
*Knowledge of African languages a plus, but not required.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Fall rehearsals will begin Dec 2-6. Spring rehearsals can begin as early as Jan 18. We will typically meet Monday-Friday 6:30-10:30pm. Technical rehearsals will begin Feb 21-23. Dress rehearsals are Feb 24-26. Strike is immediately following the performance on Mar 1 and the post-mortem is Mar 2.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
February 27-29 @ 7:30pm and March 1, 2020 @ 2pm
PRODUCTION POSITIONS ALSO NEEDED: Assistant Stage Manager, Props Master, and Master Electrician. Please contact Christopher Owens, Director of Theatre (clowen@wm.edu) with interest.
