[Capdist-auditions] Auditions for OOPS presentation of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

[Karen Christina Jones]

[image: Inline image 1]

Our Own ProductionS presents
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson

Directed by Karen Christina Jones
Produced by Trish Scott


Auditions will be at Emmanuel Friedens Church, 218 Nott Terrace,
Schenectady.

Audition Dates are Wednesday, January 22nd at 7.00pm and Saturday, January
25th at Noon.

Production Dates are Friday, March 21st; Saturday, March 22nd; Sunday,
March 22nd and Friday, March 28th; Saturday, March 29th; and Sunday, March
30th.

All actors please prepare a two minute monologue.

The actors are not required to play musical instruments but the actress Ma
Rainey must be able to sing.

Actresses auditioning for Ma Rainey, please prepare 16 bars of a blues song
to sing a cappella except songs recorded by Ma Rainey.

All actors will be reading sides from the script.

The title of the play acknowledges the influence Ma Rainey over the music
and a popular dance of the day. Along with the Ma Rainey’s music and
Wilson’s prose, the play outlines the perpetual struggle between Black
folks and themselves.

August Wilson was born in Pittsburg, PA in 1945. As a young writer,
Wilson’s love of language had him recording the conversations in
Pittsburgh’s barber shops. The characters of Slow Drag, Cutler, Toledo and
Levee are born from notes of the young scribe. It was this side of the
Black experience that Wilson explores in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

In the spirit and success of A Raisin in the Sun, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
will continue Our Own ProductionS mission to “develop talents” and open
doors within the diverse acting community of the Capital Region. 2014 will
mark the 30th anniversary of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’s Broadway debut.
Along with OOPS’ strong foundation of finely crafted musical productions,
Ma Rainey merges with its powerful story peppered with the Chicago Blues.

Cast of Characters:

Ma Rainey (40's-60's) Based on Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, an influential Blues
singer from the 1920s. She is portrayed as an outspoken if not difficult
artist who has no illusions that her white associates are only interested
in her for the money. She is fiercely protective of her artistic integrity
and personal interests.

Mel Sturdyvant (20's-60's)-Caucasian-Owner of the Chicago South Side
recording studio where the play is set. Mel is frustrated by Ma’s behavior
and is very vocal about it throughout the play. However, he knows that Ma’s
music is quite popular. Despite his complaints, he puts up with her to make
money.

Irvin (20's-60's) -Caucasian- Ma Rainey’s manager. Irvin acts as liaison
between Mel and Ma Rainey. He tries to smooth over any problems that arise
throughout the play to ensure that the record gets made.

Cutler (40's-60's) Trombone and guitar player in Ma’s band. A career
musician, Cutler is the leader of the instrumentalists. He understands that
Ma Rainey has the final word and is interested in maintaining the peace in
order to get the job done.

Slow Drag (30's-40's) Bass player in Ma’s band. He got his name by slow
dancing for hours to win a contest. A professional musician in his
mid-fifties, he has worked with Cutler for more than 20 years.

Toledo (20's-30's) Piano player in Ma’s band. A self-educated and literate
member of the band, Toledo speaks eloquently about the black man’s
experience at the time and tries to educate the other members of the band.

Levee (20's) Young and arrogant, Levee is a talented trumpet player who
considers himself an artist. His ambition to write his own music and make
it big with his own band causes tension with the rest of the band.

Sylvester Brown (20's) Ma Rainey’s nephew. Ma wants him todo the
introduction on the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” record, but his stutter
causes conflict with the rest of the band.

Dussie Mae (20's-30's) Ma Rainey’s companion. Dussie Mae’s own ambition is
evident in her willingness to entertain Levee’s advances in the few moments
when she is able to call attention to herself.

Policeman (20's-60's)

For more information, please call 518.227.0154 or e-mail
statestreet2424 at gmail.com
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