CHARACTER LIST 
All actors should be comfortable with movement and bringing the story of the poems to life with full voice and body. This is an ensemble-based production. Most actors will be on stage for much of the show and will contribute their voices and bodies to many of the poems. During the early rehearsal period, the actors will have an opportunity to collaborate with the director and dramaturg on the shape/storytelling of different poems.

​

6 Black women — one should be able to SING
• Afro-Latina or brown-skinned with curly/kinky hair
•    Older
•    Thick or full-figured
•    1 willing to be (nearly) bald
•    1 with locs
•    1 with an afro or naturally kinky hair

2 Black men

• Older

• Light-skinned, younger 

• 1 white man
   

Knowledge/experience with African dance or drumming is a plus. 

Be flexible about hairstyles.

The ability to have an authentically West African or Dominican accent is a plus!

​

SETTINGS: 

 Ancient Africa, A Modern-day Salon, & The Memories of the Griots

​

COMPENSATION
Actors receive a one-time stipend at the close of the show.  Amount of stipend varies pending size of role.

 

AUDITION DATES
February 7, 2023 @ 6:00-9:00 pm  (Feb. 8 Inclement Weather date)

If you have an interest in auditioning but cannot make these audition times, please contact Janet Bixler, production manager at bixlerjanet@gmail.com to discuss other options.

 

AUDITION LOCATION
Auditions will be held at Gamut Theatre Group, 15 N Fourth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.  Street parking is free after 5:00 PM.  You can receive free parking on Saturdays in 3-hour increments by using the ParkMobile app and entering the “LUVHBG” code.  

 

COVID MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS

For the safety of all parties during the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic, we expect all cast and crew members to be up to date on Covid vaccinations and booster shots. We may also require cast members to take a Covid test once per week pending spread in our area.  Please bring your vaccination card to auditions.

 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

​

• Bring to life one of the seven poems from the links provided. Memorized preferred.

​​

--“My Father is a Retired Magician” by Ntozake Shange at

https://poets.org/poem/my-father-retired-magician

​

--“Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why)” by Nikki Giovanni at

https://poets.org/poem/ego-tripping-there-may-be-reason-why

​

--“The Weary Blues”

https://poets.org/poem/weary-blues

​

--“Shafro” by Terrance Hayes

https://poets.org/poem/shafro

​

-- "Reckless Poem" by Mary Oliver

https://www.loc.gov/programs

​

--"Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda

https://poets.org/poem/ode-my-socks

​

-- "Perhaps the World Ends Here" by Joy Harjo

https://poets.org/poem/perhaps-world-ends-here

​

​

• Bring a headshot (head and shoulders photo) and a resume.

• Actors audition in groups of up to six in a 30-minute period and may be asked to stay an additional 30-60 minutes to read sides. Actors may be asked to attend callback auditions.  

• Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before scheduled audition time.

• Download the AUDITION FORM, complete, and bring it with you to auditions. 

• Please schedule an audition appointment to reserve your spot. See registration form below.

 

AUDITION PROCEDURE

All Auditions take place in the Select Medical Mainstage at Gamut Theatre. You will be auditioning on ¾ thrust stage in a 200-seat theatre. There are potentially 6 audition slots open for each half-hour audition time. Everyone signed up for the same time slot will go into the main stage together as a group. Each actor will perform their audition.  The group audition should not take longer than 30 minutes.  Actors may then potentially be asked to read scenes with some of the other actors in your audition group, which could be an additional 30-60 minutes.

 

AUDITION APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING

To sign up for an audition, use the form below or visit www.gamuttheatre.org/auditions. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact our Production Manager at 717-379-6278 or bixlerjanet@gmail.com.  

 

STUDENT ACTORS

You must be at least 16 years old to audition for HairStory. Student actors must be available for all scheduled performances and a majority of the rehearsal period.  Student actors must present an audition as outlined in the AUDITION REQUIREMENTS above.  Student actors under the age of 18 must have parental approval to audition and must have a parent or guardian sign the audition paperwork.

 

REHEARSALS

HairStory rehearsals generally occur on weekday evenings and some weekend afternoons or evenings. Rehearsals will be held at Gamut as well as another location. Not everyone will be called for every rehearsal. Please indicate what time you would be able to start rehearsing on weekdays and weekends on your Audition Form. 

 

If you have a pre-existing conflict that prevents you from attending any rehearsals, please indicate this on your audition form. Please be honest and upfront regarding any conflicts you think you may have. Sometimes (but not always) we can schedule around things if we know the situation in advance.

​