Prospect Theater Company | New York, NY
New York, NY

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)

Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CONTRACT

Off Broadway

$786 weekly minimum (Cat. 2)

SEEKING

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.

PREPARATION

Please be prepared to sing a brief jazz standard and/or musical theater selection from your repertoire. Also, bring your headshot and resume stapled together.

LOCATION
Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036

PERSONNEL
Composer: Alphonso Horne
Co-Bookwriter & Co-Lyricist: Jesse L. Kearney Jr.
Co-Lyricist & Additional Music: Peter Mills
Co-Bookwriter / Prospect Producing Artistic
Director: Cara Reichel
Director: Kimille Howard
Choreographer and Music Director are to be confirmed.
Artistic / Casting Associate: Kate Semmens
Associate Producer: Sierra Lancaster
Managing Director / Producer Contact: Melissa Huber
Expected to attend:
Artistic / Casting Associate: Kate Semmens

OTHER DATES
Rehearsals begin: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Performances: June 13 – 21, 2025

OTHER
Rehearsal venue: 520 8th Avenue, ARTNY Studios, 3rd floor

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.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination.
Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a
policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of
inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities,
and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

THE OSCAR MICHEAUX PROJECT

SYNOPSIS: The Oscar Micheaux Project (working title) is an original jazz musical inspired by the lifeand 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.

SEEKING:

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 – [ROLE IS CAST] Black Male, 30s-40s. Baritenor. Head of Lincoln
Motion Pictures, a smooth businessman. Doubles as other characters as cast include 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 – [ROLE IS CAST] 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 was cast in Micheaux’s final film, and others as cast. Strong dance skills including tap required.

SALARY

Off Broadway $786 weekly minimum (Cat. 2)

UNION

AEA