SNAP! Productions to Hold Auditions Dec. 13 & Dec. 15, 2012
SNAP! Productions will hold auditions for Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play
Clybourne Park on Thursday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 15,
at 2:00 p.m. Auditions will take place at the SNAP/Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California
Street, in Omaha, Nebraska. M. Michele Phillips will direct the Omaha premiere of this
critically-acclaimed play, which will run for four weekends (Thursdays – Sundays) from
February 28 through March 24, 2013.
Clybourne Park unfolds in two acts in the house made famous in Lorraine Hansberry’s
classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” In Act I, a white community in 1959 Chicago splinters
over a black family about to move into the house. Act II leaps forward to 2009, where a
white couple seeks to purchase the same house in the now predominantly-black
neighborhood. Norris’ play explores issues of race, territory, and legacy with an
uncommon combination of biting humor and genuine tenderness, treading the rich and
illuminating ground of both comedy and drama.
Most actors for the production will play two roles. Auditions will consist of cold readings
from the script. For a copy of the script, or for more information, visit
www.snapproductions.com or contact Jennifer Gilg at (402) 551-6284 or
joe_jen1@yahoo.com.
Character Breakdown:
Russ (Act I)/ Dan (Act II): Caucasian male, 45-55. In Act I, a middle-management
businessman selling his house to escape memories of a family tragedy. In Act II, a
friendly but somewhat oblivious construction worker.
Bev (Act I)/ Kathy (Act II): Caucasian female, 40s. Married to Russ, whose brooding is
eroding her natural optimism. In Act II, a breezy real estate agent and lawyer.
Francine (Act I)/ Lena (Act II): African-American female, 30s-40s. A stoic and polite
domestic worker to Russ and Bev in Act I. In Act II, a no-nonsense professional woman
invested in her neighborhood and fiercely opposed to white gentrification.
Albert (Act I)/ Kevin (Act II): African American male, 30s-40s. As husband to Francine
in Act I, he is accommodating but a shrewd judge of character. In Act II, an easy-going
investment banker married to Lena.
Karl (Act I)/ Steve (Act II): Caucasian male, late 30s-40s. In Act I, a character
borrowed from “A Raisin in the Sun” who comes to persuade Russ and Bev not to sell their house to a “colored family.” In Act II, a well-educated man, but not exactly a diplomatic one. He’s seeking to purchase the home in the now-black neighborhood.
Betsy (Act I)/ Lindsey (Act II): Caucasian female, late 20s-- 30s. Married to Karl and
seven months pregnant in Act I. Betsy is deaf but does speak, although her speech is
difficult to understand. In Act II, a professional woman, also pregnant, who is married to
Steve.
Jim (Act I)/ Tom (Act II): Caucasian male, mid-20s – 30s. The well-intentioned
minister at Russ and Bev’s church in Act I. In Act II, a lawyer hired by Kevin and Lena
to represent their community association in negotiations with Steve and Lindsey. Tom is
smart and good at his job but in a hurry.
Kenneth: Caucasian male, 20s. Russ and Bev’s son who has come home after service
in the Korean war. Kenneth appears only briefly in a flashback at the end of Act II. He
is sometimes played by the actor playing Jim/Tom.
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