Audition Information for THE AMEN CORNER

Directed by Ricardo “Ric” Morris

Auditions are October 21^st and 22^nd at 7:30

You do not have to come to both days of auditions.

You may have to come back on Thursday for call backs.

You can park in the lot right across from the Theatre Centre. It is free to park there IF you pick up a parking pass inside and place it in your car before you audition.

Try to arrive 15-30 minutes early.

Rehearsals for most productions are usually Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 – 10:30 pm. The final rehearsal schedule will be based on the conflicts given by the actors at the time of the audition. There is some flexibility depending on the role you are given.

The production will open on December 6 and run through December 22.

After giving a fiery Sunday morning sermon, Margaret is confronted by the unexpected arrival of her long-estranged husband who collapses from illness shortly thereafter. Their son, along with elders of the congregation, struggle with the moral questions of the moment, and what follows on that Christmas is an unforgettable journey of atonement and self-discovery.

While this is not a musical there will be lots of singing.  You do not have to be a great singer to audition.

Characters:

David Alexander – David is the eighteen-year-old son of Margaret and Luke. David plays the piano in the church during Margaret’s sermons, and his mother wants him to pursue a life of devotion to religion, utilizing his musical talents for that purpose only. (I would like David to be able to play piano well)

Luke Alexander – Luke (35 – 50 yo) is the estranged husband of Margaret, and the father of David. Luke arrives unexpectedly at Margaret’s house and collapses from illness. He confronts Margaret with the fact that she had left him after blaming him for the death of their infant child years earlier. (I would like Luke to play an instrument)

Margaret Alexander – Margaret Alexander (35– 45 yo) is the pastor of a church. In the first scene of the play, she gives a sermon. Several members of Margaret’s congregation learn that while she had lead everyone to believe that Luke had abandoned her with their son, David, in fact it was Margaret who left Luke. (Margaret needs to have a strong singing voice)

Brother Boxer – Brother Boxer is an elder (50 – Plus yo) of Margaret’s church who resents her for insisting that it is sinful of him to take a job driving a liquor delivery truck.

Sister Boxer – Sister Boxer is an elder (50 – Plus yo) of Margaret’s church who criticizes Margaret for insisting that it is sinful for her husband, Brother Boxer, to take a job driving a liquor delivery truck.

Ida Jackson – Ida Jackson is a young (19 – 25 yo?) woman who steps up to the pulpit during Margaret’s sermon with a plea for help for her sick baby. Margaret advises her to leave her husband, but Mrs. Jackson protests that she doesn’t want to leave her husband.

Sister Moore – Sister Moore is an elder (60 – Plus Years Old) of Margaret’s church who is instrumental in having Margaret ousted from her position as pastor.

Odessa – Odessa (35 – 50 years old) is Margaret’s sister, who lives with Margaret and David. Odessa is supportive of Margaret, and defends her against the criticism of the members of her congregation.

THEMES

• Religion is a central theme in Baldwin’s play. The first seventeen pages of the play are taken up with a Sunday morning church sermon, led by the pastor, Sister Margaret Anderson. Baldwin has noted that this material was in part based on his own experiences as a young minister.
• Poverty – Although not one of the play’s most prominent themes, the impact of poverty permeates the play as an underlying condition of the lives of the characters.
• Love – Many critics have noted that one of the recurring themes throughout Baldwin’s fiction is that of love. Margaret throughout most of the play has made the mistake of substituting religion for the love of her own husband.
• Race – Baldwin’s play addresses issues of race and poverty in terms of the significance of the black church to an African-American family.

REQUIREMENT FOR THIS AUDITION:

Tell an extended joke or a long, funny story. Of your choice. A minute or two or three; whatever you like. We’re flexible. That’s it. For callbacks we will have readings from the script.