Prospect Theater Company | New York, NY
Monday, March 17, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Off Broadway
$786 weekly minimum (Cat. 2)
Equity actors for roles in THE OSCAR MICHEAUX PROJECT (See breakdown). This production will be a developmental staging with eight public presentations and is not open to review.
Please come prepared to sing a brief jazz standard and/or musical theater selection from your repertoire. Also, bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036
Composer: Alphonso Horne
Co-Bookwriter & Co-Lyricist: Jesse L. Kearney Jr.
Director: Kimille Howard
Choreographer and Music Director are to be confirmed.
Managing Director / Producer Contact: Melissa Huber
Expected to attend:
Co-Bookwriter / Prospect Producing Artistic Director: Cara Reichel
Artistic / Casting Associate: Kate Semmens
Associate Producer: Sierra Lancaster
Co-Lyricist & Additional Music: Peter Mills
Rehearsals: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Performances: June 13 – 21, 2025
Rehearses at: 520 8th Avenue, ARTNY Studios, 3rd fl.
Performance Venue: Baruch Performing Arts Center (in the 190-seat Nagelberg Theatre) at 55 Lexington Ave (East 25th Street).
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
SYNOPSIS: The Oscar Micheaux Project (working title) is an original jazz musical inspired by the life and work of Oscar Micheaux (1884–1951) as well as other historic events. In 1915, Black homesteader and novelist Oscar Micheaux is at a turning point: the emerging art form of cinema is sweeping the nation, and he must find new ways to tell his story. In response to the racism of Hollywood, Micheaux boldly dares to write, direct, and produce his own movie, with the help of his brother Swan. As a pioneer of early cinema, he discovers and is joined by legendary actress Evelyn Preer, as well as his wife – the actor and film producer Alice B. Russell. On his journey, Micheaux overcomes censorship, bankruptcy, family betrayal...and his own hubris. He succeeds in producing over 40 films, becoming a legend of American cinema.
NOTE: All should be strong dancers/movers, comfortable with jazz vocal style, harmony/part singing, and tap skills are a plus.
OSCAR MICHEAUX – Black Male, 35-45. Baritenor. Visionary, charismatic, idealistic, driven...with gravitas. Self-made, seeking the success he deserves. The majority of the show, the character appears in the above age range and in the final scene appears as his older self (60s).
SWAN MICHEAUX – Black Male, 25-35. Baritenor. Oscar’s younger brother. Eager, ambitious, practical who becomes frustrated at being taken for granted. The majority of the show, the character appears in the above age range and in the final scene appears as his older self (50s).
EVELYN PREER – Black Female, 22-35. Mezzo-Soprano. Silent film and stage star, discovered by Oscar Micheaux. Passionate, emotional, bold and thoughtful. Strong jazz vocal skills and movement ability required.
ALICE B. RUSSELL – Black Female, 35-45, Mezzo / Belt. Oscar’s second wife, the driving force behind his later films. Self-possessed, grounded, sense of humor. The majority of the show, the character appears in the above age range and in the final appears as her older self (50s).
GEORGE JOHNSON & OTHERS – Black Male, 30s-40s. Baritenor. Head of Lincoln Motion Pictures, a smooth businessman. Doubles as other characters as cast including the Reverend McCracken, Oscar’s contentious former father-in-law who tries to shut down his movie.
NOBLE JOHNSON & OTHERS – Black Male, 30s. Tenor. An elegant Hollywood actor, business partner of his brother George. Doubles as other characters as cast including Tony Langston, a Chicago film critic.
PAUL ROBESON & OTHERS – Black Male, 20s. Baritone. The young Paul Robeson, who made his film debut with Micheaux. Doubles as a WWI Veteran who challenges Oscar & others as cast.
BLANCHE JARVIS & OTHERS – [ROLE IS CAST] Black Female, 40s. Mezzo/Alto. The strictly religious mother of Evelyn Preer. Doubles as Ida B. Wells and others as cast.
EUNICE BROOKS & OTHERS – [ROLE IS CAST] Black Female, 30s. Mezzo/Soprano. One of the stars of Micheaux’s first sound film, The Exile. Doubles as various crew members, reporters, and others as cast.
LEROY COLLINS & OTHERS – Black Male, 20s. Tenor. The college student who is cast as the star of Micheaux’s final film, and others as cast. Strong dance skills including tap required.
VERLIE COWAN & OTHERS – Black Female, 20s. Soprano. A young actor cast in Micheaux’s final film, and others as cast. Strong dance skills including tap required.
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