Rooftop Announces Auditions for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage

Rooftop Productions announces auditions for By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage.

“In a new comedy from the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright of Ruined, Lynn Nottage draws upon the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood.  BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is a seventy-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong African-American maid and budding actress, and her tangled relationship with her boss, a white Hollywood star desperately grasping to hold on to her career.  When circumstances collide and both women land roles in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera with a surprising and controversial legacy scholars will debate for years to come.”  Directed by AnuRa Harrison, The cast requirements are as follows:

Vera Stark (F, Black / African Descent) Beautiful, smart, funny and willful; Works as a maid to the fading-star, Gloria Mitchell, until she gets her own big break; Singing ability a plus.

Gloria Mitchell (F, White / European Descent) Formerly America’s Little Sweetie Pie, she’s a fading Hollywood star. Vain, melodramatic and self-absorbed; works tirelessly to preserve an air of glamour as she fights to stay afloat in Hollywood. Singing ability a plus.

Leroy Barksdale (M, Black / African Descent). Endearingly pompous aspiring-musician & chauffeur of famed film director Max Von Oster, and a love interest for Vera. Actor cast as Leroy also plays HERB FORRESTER, a savvy and well-spoken contemporary filmmaker/musician who is fascinated by Vera’s celebrity.

Lottie McBride (F, Black/African Descent). Classically trained actress & Vera’s cynical and witty roommate. Actor cast as Lottie also plays CARMEN LEVY-GREEN: a respected, intelligent college professor with strong views on what happened to Vera in later years. Singing ability a plus.

Anna Mae Simpkins (F, Black / African Descent, Biracial or Multiracial / African Descent). Vera’s light-skinned, sassy, sexy and overconfident roommate, who passes as a Latina to get roles.  Actor playing this role also plays AFUA ASSATA EJOBO, a modern-day poet, journalist, and performer with her own staunch opinions on the late Vera. Actor must have facility with accents.

Frederick Slasvick (M, All Ethnicities). Attractive, well-groomed and wealthy studio executive with less-than-stellar social skills. Actor playing Frederick also plays BRAD DONOVAN: smooth-talking 1970s talk-show host with an appealing personality.

Maximillian Van Oster (M, White / European Descent).  A highly conceited, famous Russian film director with an inflexible artistic vision. Actor playing Max also plays PETER RHYS-DAVIES, a groovy 1970s rock musician. Actor must have facility with accents.

Audition Dates:  Saturday, January 14 from 1 – 3 p.m. at the ARTfactory.  Callbacks are Sunday, January 15 at 1 p.m.

Performances:  March 23-April 2nd,Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Rehearsals:  Tuesdays and Thursday at the ARTfactory from 7 – 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays at the ARTfactory from 1 – 4 p.m.

Audition Details

Sign up for a time to audition at By the Way, Meet Vera Stark