HERALDS OF HOPE THEATER COMPANY
AUDITIONS
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
By Lonnie Elder III
Directed by Percy W. Thomas
PERFORMANCE DATES:
April 4 ,2020 — April 26, 2020
AUDITION DATES
Thursday,
January 16, 2020 — 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, January 17, 2020 — 7:30 p.m.
– 9:00 p.m.
Monday, January 20, 2020 — 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 — 7:30
p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
AUDITION PREPARATION
Seeking African American males and females. All will be asked to cold reading from the script. Please bring Headshot and Resume (A selfie
picture is acceptable) . This is a non – equity production. Actors will receive a performance stipend.
LOCATION
Resurrection Baptist Church
Address: 900 Ednor Road, Silver Spring, MD
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Role Title: Mr. Russell B. Parker
Gender: Male
Age Range: 50-65
Description: The owner of the barbershop and aging vaudeville performer who has seen better days.
Role Title: Theopolis Parker
Gender: Male
Age Range: 20-24
Description: The eldest son of Russell Parker, who is a self-styled entrepreneur. Seeking to make his way in life by creating an illegal business. He finds a ready opportunity in his neighborhood. However, he is unable to launch his business without the cooperation of family.
Role Title: Bobby Parker
Gender: Male
Age Range: 16-21
Description: The youngest son of Russell Parker has been stealing since childhood and sees stealing as a way of feeling good about himself and his place in the family. He is sensitive to being perceived as not being smart.
Role Title: Adele Eloise Parker
Gender: Female
Age Range: 26-45
Description: Daughter of Russell Parker. She is the breadwinner of the family. Her life has been put on hold trying to keep the family from falling apart after her mother’s death.
Role Title: William Jenkins
Gender: Male
Age Range: 50-65
Description: Friend and barbershop customer.
Role Title: Blue Haven
Gender: Male
Age Range- 30-40
Description: Harlem Crime Boss, who will stop at nothing to keep his crime enterprise thriving. He views the Russell barbershop and Theo’s penchant for crime as a way to have more power in the community. He is ambitious and dangerous.
Role Title: Young Girl
Gender: Female
Age Range: 21-30
Description: A younger woman who uses her seduction skills and sexual prowess to exploit older men. She is cunning and vivacious.
ABOUT THE PLAY
The play concerns the
ceremonies African American men resort to when society offers them no hope. When hopelessness invades a family tragedy follows. Russel B.
Parker a “Dark Old Man” owns a floundering barbershop on 126th Street in Harlem. Mr. William Jenkins, the other “Dark Old Man”, finds a sanctuary in
Parker’s barbershop, where he plays checkers and trades insults and dares with Parker. The barbershop provides a space where the two dark old men can be
insulated from a society in which they have failed under the norms of a capitalist and a racist culture. Adele, his daughter works and makes enough
money for the family to survive. His sons Bobby and Theo seek survival pursuing a life of crime.
REHEARSALS
Consists of an 8-week
rehearsal schedule, 3-4 times per week. The cast will receive a Rehearsal
schedule by the first cast meeting or first rehearsal.
If you have any Questions feel free
to contact Percy W. Thomas at 443.912.8680
