The Color Purple Audition Notice
Book: Marsha Norman
Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray
Creative Team: Iris Goode, Deb Glover, James Cooper, Shanadiah Nicole & Michelle Gilliam
Synopsis:
This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story.
With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music, and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life. It premiered at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and opened on Broadway on November 1, 2005, where it was nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The London off-West End production moved to Broadway in 2015, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
Audition Dates/Times:
Friday September 1, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Saturday September 2, 2023 11 am - 2pm
Rehearsal Dates: TBA
A tentative rehearsal calendar may be provided upon auditioning. Rehearsal conflicts must be noted on the audition form. Resumes and headshots are welcomed and encouraged.
Performance Dates:
Friday evenings & 2 shows on Saturdays beginning February 9, 2023
All technical rehearsals and performance dates are mandatory.
Requirements:
EVERYONE AUDITIONING MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID-19.
Vocal Audition: All auditionees must come prepared with 16 bars of a song in the style of the show. Sheet music is welcomed. A pianist/accompanist will be provided. After the vocal audition, some actors may be asked to do readings from the script. Advance preparation is not required.
Callbacks: Some auditionees will participate in a dance/movement callback. Wear or bring comfortable clothes and shoes.
Auditionees should arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled audition time to complete audition forms.
Auditionees should plan on staying for the entirety of the audition or until dismissed by the director.
Auditioning for ALL ROLES.
Charcater Breakdown
Celie:
(African-American, 20s-early 30s): Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but really not, has a deep, hard soul, believes that she is ugly, has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.
Shug:
(African-American, 30s-40s): A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. She is loved by both Celie and Mister. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
Mister:
(African-American, 30s-40s. Also known as ALBERT): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Gets his power for free. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms into a kind man by the end of the story. Needs a great singing voice.
Sofia:
(African-American, 30s): Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger but beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Needs a great belt singing voice.
Harpo:
(African-American, 20s): Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful, as Sofia is considerably stronger than he is. Harpo eventually establishes a jukejoint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
Nettie:
(African-American, 20s): Celie’s younger sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.
Squeak:
(African-American, 20s): Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. She is of mixed ancestry. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability.
Ensemble Adult Singers:
Males and females, 20s – 50s, African-American. All types and singing ranges. Need fantastic singing voices and dynamic personalities. To play various roles in the ensemble The ensemble includes a trio known as Church Ladies, Young Nettie, Young Celie, and busybody types who are featured throughout the show.
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