Hello everyone, this is Herb Newsome, and I am happy to be joining the team at Oakwood for the production of The Colored Museum as the director. I am a professional director, actor, and writer originally from New York City who now lives here in Los Angeles. I have directed and acted in plays across the country and am excited to take on this wonderful work of art by Gorge C. Wolfe.
The Colored Museum is a great piece to spark very much-needed conversations in our communities. As one writer notes, the play is a hilarious, yet discomforting, look at African American identity throughout history, challenging America to look at how assimilation was carried out in the past and how we perpetuate or challenge these assimilating ideologies and systems today.
As a director who believes in the art of collaboration, where everyone working on the project has a strong voice, I look forward to diving into this material with the various student actors, designers, and technicians as we explore the depths of these character through history, comedy, drama, satire and all the nuances that go into creating a work we can all be proud of.
Here are the dates for our upcoming auditions:
Auditions: Monday, November 16th | 3:30–5:30pm
Callbacks: Tuesday, November 17th | 3:30–5:30pm
Auditions will take place virtually and details about the process are soon to follow.
Below you will find audition sides. There are three sides for the male students and three for the female students. For the initial audition, I am asking that each student look at all three of the monologues and be prepared to present two of their choosing. In addition to the monologue, I am requesting a brief song be prepared as the entirety of the cast will be singing as an ensemble at various moments within the play. The song should be sung acapella, no more than 16 bars, and should fall into the genre of blues, gospel, jazz, musical theater or R&B.
