AUDITION INFO

The play is adapted from the Langston Hughes’ novel of the same name originally published in 1930. Set primarily in Lawrence, KS of 1910 and loosely based Hughes’ life, it is the story of one young boy’s journey from a small town to Chicago in order to become a writer. The script was written by Syl Jones and through a couple of email correspondences, he said his motivation for this adaptation was how similar he found the experiences to his own life. It deals with his family; absent father, working mother, religious grandmother, wealthy aunt and his aunt who dreams of being on the stage. The script also has strong moments dealing with the racial tensions of the time.

NO PREPARED MONOLOGUES NECESSARY. The audition reading cuts are below.
Here is a link to the Harriet singing track and all auditioning for the role must be prepared to sing the song:

Ain’t Nobody’s Business

The script can be found HERE.

For auditions, ALL will read from:
MEN: Sandy & BMused, script page 7 to 9 (middle of page after “Music!”) or Carny page 40 (Caucasian men)
WOMEN: Hagar & Tempy, script bottom of page 50 (start with Hagar “How’s you and…”) to 52 (skip Sandy’s lines and end with Hagar “Oh, honey…There, there!”) or Teacher, script page 55 (Caucasian women)

KCACTF participants CAN audition!
Due to the abbreviated time and KCACTF, rehearsals begin the week before spring semester and ALL must be available for this portion of rehearsals.

Sandy Rogers

MALE

The protagonist; represents Langston Hughes as a child (10-12)

Buster

MALE

Friend of Sandy (10-12)

BMused

MALE

Narrator type; represents Langston Hughes as an adult (30-40)

Jimbo/Patron

MALE

Sandy’s father, generally portrayed as irresponsible (25-35)

Mr. Siles/Patron

MALE

A rich man who marries Tempy (25-35)

Eugene/Carny/

Patron/Man 1

MALE

Caucasian

Billy/Man 2/Patron

MALE

Caucasian

Aunt Hager Williams

FEMALE

Annjee’s mother and Sandy’s grandmother, a conservative Baptist (50-60)

Sister Jackson

FEMALE

Hager’s neighbor and friend

Annjee Williams

FEMALE

Sandy’s mother (24-34)

Tempy Siles-Williams

FEMALE

Annjee’s rich sister (24-34)

Harriett Williams

FEMALE

Sister of Annjee; MUST SING, a blues singer (24-34)

Willie-Mae

FEMALE

Female child friend of Sandy (10-12)

Mrs. Rice/Teacher

FEMALE

Caucasian

Rose

FEMALE

Caucasian

Georgia

FEMALE

Caucasian

Patsy/Mary

FEMALE

Caucasian