Acting Job in "The Promise" Feature Film

James wears your basic street clothes and a jacket (think David Thewlis in Naked, or Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad). James is a struggling addict who attempts to overdose, but is saved by Val, and they’ve been friends ever since. Then, they meet Rebecca, who ends up offering them (and eventually the folks) a job. Since then, he’s begun trying to wean himself off, but his addiction keeps trying to take him back, so he often uses humor to survive a deeply troubled past. Lead Role

Rebecca may wear glasses. She has a more old-fashioned fashion sense (think Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday), and business casual, which she maintains to convey a professional theatre academic vibe. Rebecca struggles with her faith and feelings of loneliness and depression; as a newer theatre director, she tries to do everything in her power to make this new, upstart company get on its feet. Lead Role

Joe wears a simple, white shirt and coat, with worn-out, old pants. (Think, Joe Pesci, in With Honors, and Jack Elam in Once Upon a Time in the West) Joe is a kooky, street-preacher type who, unfortunately, was done wrong by the military system. Joe ended up as yet another homeless statistic among the combat vets, then tragically lost his leg during a particularly bad freeze. He’s like a father to the rest of the folks and a very caring person. Supporting-Lead Role

Cheeto wears hoodies or shirts, with joggers/pants (think Eduardo Franco, or Julian Dennison in really anything lol). Cheeto is a chill stoner with deep-rooted issues from his mother. He’s a couch-hopping dropout with an extremely sad past due to gang violence, who eventually found a home with the folks. He sees Joe like a father figure he’s never really had. Cheeto finds out he’s a pretty good actor, and with the help of Cici, tries to learn more. Supporting-Lead Role

Harold wears very regular Texan clothes (jeans + shirt) and boots (think Mel Rodriguez, or Vincent Pastore). Harold is a gruff person who has regular debates and sometimes arguments with Chris and Smith. Despite their disagreements, harsh language, and his rather jagged and rough exterior, he’s a very soft guy who cares strongly for his people. Harold is the theatre’s technical director and actor, and is often called “Theatre Dad” by the cast and crew. Supporting-Lead Role

Amanda likes to wear very chic clothing (think Mercedes Ruehl in The Fisher King). Amanda is a very confident actress who’s best friends with Chris. She’s grown up very poor and worked her way up to an actress for multiple theatres, but her heart is in Rebecca’s theatre, so once the theatre earns the grant, she’s elated! She really feels for Val and tries to help him feel included once he starts working there. She’s a deeply empathetic and kind person. Supporting-Lead Role

Chris wears very chic, overcoat with casual sweater underneath type clothing (think Ewan McGregor in Halston). Chris is an actor who often debates with Harold. He puts on a very confident facade, no doubt learned from Amanda, but inside, he’s very pessimistic and looks down on himself. He’s the last person to say “look how good I am,” and the first person to say something nice about someone else. He deeply cares about the world and is well-researched. Supporting Role

Cici wears very relaxed, simple clothing (think Diahann Carroll in Julia, or Liza Colón-Zayas in The Bear). Cici is a good friend of Rebecca’s, who was actually her teacher first, but whenever Rebecca needs an extra actress, she now helps out in her free time and gives lots of advice when needed! She’s a lot more old school and traditional with her time, and enjoys the thrill of the stage. Principal Role

Claude wears a tired, old dress shirt and simple pants (French Dispatch). Claude is a painter and artist who, unfortunately, fell into the “go to the super expensive college that doesn’t actually have many connections” issue. Not having much to fall back on, they have very recently ended up homeless. Claude consistently tries to motivate the rest of the folks and says that once they find jobs, they should get a place together. Painting skills are a bonus! Supporting Role

Mack wears an old jacket and relaxed jeans (think Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski); he’s a gambler with a chronic problem with it, to the point where he lost about everything; he's a very reckless person who clearly struggles with self-preservation. Supporting Role

Mel wears sweatpants and a white shirt. He’s an ex-con who actually only made it to prison for a killing he was only recently acquitted of.Mel was abused by his foster family, and when he accidentally killed his foster dad, the mom convinced the court that he randomly murdered him, given a 30 year but around the 10 year point,the Constitution ruled it unjust to give “all day and a night” sentence to a juvenile, and upon retrial, the mother admitted she couldn’t lie any longer, and he was freed

Rebecca’s Stage Manager / Assistant Director. They’re a very quiet person outside of the theatre, but inside, they feel more empowered and confident to make their voice heard. They’re very protective of the crew and cast. Principal Role

Smith is a Ragebaiting memelord, a real gamer, in the most positive way (think Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters). Smith likes to play devil’s advocate for most conversations that the crew argues about. He’s a really chill guy if you get to know him; he’s him. Smith, the light and soundboard operator for the theatre, swears he can act, but is way too scared to audition. Principal Role

Makayla wears very relaxed, southern Baptist-type clothing. She's a Christian mother who had her daughter, Robbie, run away after her father and her husband died, and Robbie was found by James in a catatonic state from various drugs. Principal/Featured Role

CONTEXT: This is a mostly nonverbal role; there are a few lines, and she mumbles a lot in her catatonic state. You’ll need strong physical acting. Robbie is Makayla’s daughter, who ran away, is currently hooked on drugs, and ends up in a catatonic state, which causes James to save her. You must be comfortable being picked up by James, and comfortable with the material of playing someone who has almost overdosed. Supporting Role

Just a very funny guy, who rambles about how the world is right now, has a very strong single scene within the film, and is critical to the plot. Principal/Featured Role