Theater Company: Detroit Repertory Theatre

Production: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson

Theater Type: professional

Audition Times:

Monday and Tuesday, August 19 and 20, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location of auditions:
Detroit Repertory Theatre
3103 Woodrow Wilson
Detroit  MI  48238

Appointment required? Yes

To schedule an appointment:

313-868-1347

Seeking/Roles Available:

Ten roles available.

Character Breakdown:

ALL ROLES SPECIFIC IN REGARD TO COLOR OF SKIN, RACE, ETHNICITY.

Seeking:
STURDYVANT – Male, White, 40s-50s, owner of the Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey is recording.
IRVIN – 40s-50s, White, Ma Rainey’s manager and Sturdyvant’s partner
POLICEMAN – Male, 20s-40s, White
DUSSIE MAE – Female, 20s-30s, Black, Ma Rainey’s lover.
SYLVESTER – Male, early 20s, Black, Ma Rainey’s nephew. He has a stutter.
*The band:
(*Actors auditioning for these roles – knowledge of respective instruments a plus.)
CUTLER – 50s, Male, Black, trombone and guitar player in Ma Rainey’s band.
TOLEDO – 60s-70s, Male, Black, piano player in Ma Rainey’s band.
SLOW DRAG – 50s, Male, Black, the bass player in Ma Rainey’s band.
LEVEE – 30s, Male, Black, the trumpet player in Ma Rainey’s band.

MA RAINEY – 50s – 60s, Female, Black, a popular blues singer.

Audition Preparation:

Actors auditioning for MA RAINEY – please sing accapella two verses of the theme song, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Lead sheets are available per request, and here is a sample of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fizLgmUHmw

Knowledge of the script is highly recommended.
Scripts are available at the Repertory and may be taken from the Theatre overnight with a $20 refundable deposit.

Equity Contract:

SPT Tier 1

Salary/Pay Rate: $308 AEA Weekly, $200 Non-Equity weekly.

Rehearsal Dates:

Rehearsals begin December 2, 2024

Performance Dates:

January 10 to March 2, 2025. Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Theater Website