Actors Job For Drama Stage Play "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
Seeking cast for drama play "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom". ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. Please see the breakdown below. About the project: The story: It’s 1927 and Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues,” is recording new sides of old favorites in a rundown studio in Chicago. Fiery and determined, Ma Rainey fights to retain control over her music, while her cocky trumpet player Levee dreams of making his own name in the business. More than music goes down in August Wilson’s riveting portrayal of rage, racism, self-hatred and exploitation. Additional info: Actors/musicians who play instruments (as noted in character descriptions) are ideal. Be prepared to read from the script. Please see the document attached.
10 roles
Recording studio owner and record producer. Preoccupied with money. Insensitive to Black performers and prefers to deal with them at arm's length.
Manager of Ma Rainey and her musicians. Prides himself on his knowledge of Blacks and his ability to deal with them.
Plays guitar & trombone.The leader of the group-possibly because he is the most sensible. His playing is solid and totally unembellished. His understanding of music is limited to the chord he is playing at the time he is playing it. He has all the qualities of a loner except introspection.
Plays piano. In control of his instrument. He understands and recognizes that his limitations are an extension of himself. He is the only member of the group that can read. He is self taught but misunderstands and misapplies his knowledge, though he is quick to penetrate to the core of a situation and his insights are thought provoking.
Plays bass. Perhaps the member most bored with life. He resembles Cutler but lacks Cutler’s energy. He is deceptively intelligent but appears slow. Innate African rhythms underlie everything he plays and he plays with an ease that is startling.
Plays trumpet. He is younger than the other band members. His flamboyance is sometimes subtle and sneaks up on you. His temper is rakish and bright. He lacks fuel for himself and is somewhat of a buffoon. But it is an intelligent buffoonery, clearly calculated to shift control of the situation to where he can grasp it. His voice is strident and totally dependent on his manipulation of breath. He plays wrong notes frequently. He often gets his skill and talent confused with each other.
Blues/Jazz Singer. Her manner is simple and direct. She carries herself in a royal fashion.
Ma Rainey’s girlfriend. Her greatest asset is the sensual energy which seems to flow from her.
An arkansas country boy, in the care of Ma Rainey. Most of the time he stutters when he speaks.
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