UPCOMING AUDITIONS

G

em

O

cean

of

the

LORD

OF THE

FLIES

Saturday

May 24

10:00am

Accepting Videos
until May 26

Sunday

May 25

6:00pm

First readthrough will be June 9. Rehearsals will typically be at least four nights a week (Mon-Wed, Sat). A complete rehearsal calendar can be found here. Please note we will not rehearse July 4th weekend.

First readthrough will be June 9. Rehearsals will typically be at least four nights a week (Mon-Wed, Sat). A complete rehearsal calendar can be found here. Please note we will not rehearse July 4th weekend.

A plane carrying a group of school children is shot down in the midst of evacuating for war, marooning the children on a tropical island. Without adult supervision, they initially attempt to create a civilized society, but their attempts crumble as they descend into chaos, giving in to their darkest instincts.

A plane carrying a group of school children is shot down in the midst of evacuating for war, marooning the children on a tropical island. Without adult supervision, they initially attempt to create a civilized society, but their attempts crumble as they descend into chaos, giving in to their darkest instincts.

Parts are available for all gender expressions and ethnicities. Please note that while Lord of the Flies was originally written and produced with male characters/actors, this production will using genderblind casting.

Parts are available for all gender expressions and ethnicities. Please note that while Lord of the Flies was originally written and produced with male characters/actors, this production will using genderblind casting.

Lord of the Flies includes scenes of violence behavior and death. While the characters are children, the topics they deal with are very adult. While there is no minimum or maximum age, please be aware that all characters must present as young enough to be a teenager.

Lord of the Flies includes scenes of violence behavior and death. While the characters are children, the topics they deal with are very adult. While there is no minimum or maximum age, please be aware that all characters must present as young enough to be a teenager.

Please fill out your online audition form here. Audition forms and video submissions will close Monday, May 26 at 6pm. Any video auditions should be submitted with your audition form.

Please fill out your online audition form here. Audition forms and video submissions will close Monday, May 26 at 6pm. Any video auditions should be submitted with your audition form.

character breakdown

RALPH: any gender, to play 12-18

Quickly elected leader by the group, Ralph is calm, rational, and charismatic, with a strong sense of morality.

RALPH: any gender, to play 12-18

Quickly elected leader by the group, Ralph is calm, rational, and charismatic, with a strong sense of morality.

JACK: any gender, to play 12-18

Selfish and cruel, Jack breaks the group in two when he refuses to live by the rules set down, wanting to be chief.

JACK: any gender, to play 12-18

Selfish and cruel, Jack breaks the group in two when he refuses to live by the rules set down, wanting to be chief.

PIGGY: any gender, to play 10-16

Piggy is intelligent but awkward, often alienating himself from the others with a focus on doing things properly.

PIGGY: any gender, to play 10-16

Piggy is intelligent but awkward, often alienating himself from the others with a focus on doing things properly.

SIMON: any gender, to play 12-18

Simon is shy and introspective. He seems to have an medical condition that leads to confusion and fainting.

SIMON: any gender, to play 12-18

Simon is shy and introspective. He seems to have an medical condition that leads to confusion and fainting.

ROGER: any gender, to play 10-16

Roger quickly shows himself to be crude and vindictive, with a violent streak even Jack distrusts.

ROGER: any gender, to play 10-16

Roger quickly shows himself to be crude and vindictive, with a violent streak even Jack distrusts.

SAM: any gender, to play 10-16

Eric’s twin. Sam and Eric go everywhere together, and are often seen as one unit. Their loyalty is to each other.

SAM: any gender, to play 10-16

Eric’s twin. Sam and Eric go everywhere together, and are often seen as one unit. Their loyalty is to each other.

ERIC: any gender, to play 10-16

Sam’s twin. Sam and Eric go everywhere together, and are often seen as one unit. Their loyalty is to each other.

ERIC: any gender, to play 10-16

Sam’s twin. Sam and Eric go everywhere together, and are often seen as one unit. Their loyalty is to each other.

PERCEVAL: any gender, to play 8-12

Perceval is the youngest of the group living on the beach.

PERCEVAL: any gender, to play 8-12

Perceval is the youngest of the group living on the beach.

HENRY: any gender, to play 10-16

Easily swayed by Jack’s intensity, Henry is swept into the lawlessness of the island.

HENRY: any gender, to play 10-16

Easily swayed by Jack’s intensity, Henry is swept into the lawlessness of the island.

MAURICE: any gender, to play 12-18

A class clown type, Maurice is always looking for a laugh to lighten the tension.

MAURICE: any gender, to play 12-18

A class clown type, Maurice is always looking for a laugh to lighten the tension.

BILL: any gender, to play 10-16

Bill sees the value of society and civility, but Jack’s strength keeps Bill at his side.

BILL: any gender, to play 10-16

Bill sees the value of society and civility, but Jack’s strength keeps Bill at his side.

NAVAL OFFICER: any gender, to play 20+

A member of the British Navy, there to rescue the children after seeing their smoke signal. Appears in the final scene.

NAVAL OFFICER: any gender, to play 20+

A member of the British Navy, there to rescue the children after seeing their smoke signal. Appears in the final scene.

First readthrough will be June 2. A complete rehearsal schedule can be found here.

First readthrough will be June 2. A complete rehearsal schedule can be found here.

When Citizen Barlow comes to her Pittsburgh’s Hill District home seeking asylum, matriarch and advisor Aunt Ester sets him off on a spiritual journey to visit the City of Bones, home of their ancestors, enslaved Africans lost at sea. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson’s ten-play American Century Cycle, which has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations.

When Citizen Barlow comes to her Pittsburgh’s Hill District home seeking asylum, matriarch and advisor Aunt Ester sets him off on a spiritual journey to visit the City of Bones, home of their ancestors, enslaved Africans lost at sea. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson’s ten-play American Century Cycle, which has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations.

Parts are available for all gender expressions. Please note that Gem of the Ocean is a work about the Black experience and Black history, with a predominantly Black cast. We ask that all auditioners be 18+.

Parts are available for all gender expressions. Please note that Gem of the Ocean is a work about the Black experience and Black history, with a predominantly Black cast. We ask that all auditioners be 18+.

Gem of the Ocean addresses themes of identity, justice, and moral responsibility. For more information about Gem of the Ocean, see director Taijee’s personal philosophy and beginning research here.

Gem of the Ocean addresses themes of identity, justice, and moral responsibility. For more information about Gem of the Ocean, see director Taijee’s personal philosophy and beginning research here.

Please fill out your online audition form here. Audition forms must be submitted by 6:00pm Sunday, May 25. Any video auditions should be submitted with your audition form.

Please fill out your online audition form here. Audition forms must be submitted by 6:00pm Sunday, May 25. Any video auditions should be submitted with your audition form.

character breakdown

AUNT ESTER: Female presenting, late 20s+

Aunt Ester is a 285-year-old spiritual guide and healer, embodying the memory and soul of the African American experience. She serves as a bridge between the past and present, guiding others through moral and emotional transformation. Her wisdom and connection to ancestral history make her the play’s moral center. She leads Citizen on a spiritual journey to the City of Bones.

AUNT ESTER: Female presenting, late 20s+

Aunt Ester is a 285-year-old spiritual guide and healer, embodying the memory and soul of the African American experience. She serves as a bridge between the past and present, guiding others through moral and emotional transformation. Her wisdom and connection to ancestral history make her the play’s moral center. She leads Citizen on a spiritual journey to the City of Bones.

CITIZEN BARLOW: Male presenting, 18+

Citizen is a young man from Alabama seeking redemption for a tragic mistake. He arrives at Aunt Ester’s house burdened by guilt and searching for meaning. Through his journey, he evolves from a lost soul into someone who accepts moral responsibility. His transformation reflects the broader struggle for identity and justice.

CITIZEN BARLOW: Male presenting, 18+

Citizen is a young man from Alabama seeking redemption for a tragic mistake. He arrives at Aunt Ester’s house burdened by guilt and searching for meaning. Through his journey, he evolves from a lost soul into someone who accepts moral responsibility. His transformation reflects the broader struggle for identity and justice.

SOLLY TWO KINGS: Male presenting, 30+

Solly is a former conductor on the Unde3rground Railroad an living sy bol of Black resistance and courage. Though aged, he continues to fight for justice by helping others escape oppression. He shares a deep bond with Aunt Ester and is revered in the community.

SOLLY TWO KINGS: Male presenting, 30+

Solly is a former conductor on the Unde3rground Railroad an living sy bol of Black resistance and courage. Though aged, he continues to fight for justice by helping others escape oppression. He shares a deep bond with Aunt Ester and is revered in the community.

CAESAR WILKS: Male presenting, late 20s+

Caesar is Black Mary’s brother and a constable who rigidly enforces the law, often at the expense of compassion. He represents internalized oppression and a belief in order over justice. Caesar’s loyaly to structure makes him a dangerous figure in the community. His actions ultimately lead to violence and loss.

CAESAR WILKS: Male presenting, late 20s+

Caesar is Black Mary’s brother and a constable who rigidly enforces the law, often at the expense of compassion. He represents internalized oppression and a belief in order over justice. Caesar’s loyaly to structure makes him a dangerous figure in the community. His actions ultimately lead to violence and loss.

ELI: Male presenting, late 20s+

Eli is the gatekeeper of Aunt Ester’s home and a steady, protective presence. Loyal and grounded, he helps maintain the sanctity of the space. He supports Ester’s spiritual work and offers wisdom quietly. Eli represents tradition, safety, and the quiet strength of community.

ELI: Male presenting, late 20s+

Eli is the gatekeeper of Aunt Ester’s home and a steady, protective presence. Loyal and grounded, he helps maintain the sanctity of the space. He supports Ester’s spiritual work and offers wisdom quietly. Eli represents tradition, safety, and the quiet strength of community.

BLACK MARY: Female presenting, 18+

Black Mary is Aunt Ester’s apprentice and Caesar’s sister, caught between obedience and independence. She learns from Ester but struggles to find her own voice. Over the course of the play, she begins to assert herself and embrace her identity. Her growth symbolizes the next generation stepping into leadership.

BLACK MARY: Female presenting, 18+

Black Mary is Aunt Ester’s apprentice and Caesar’s sister, caught between obedience and independence. She learns from Ester but struggles to find her own voice. Over the course of the play, she begins to assert herself and embrace her identity. Her growth symbolizes the next generation stepping into leadership.

SELIG: Male presenting, late 20s+

Selig is a white travelling peddler and people-finder who interacts with the Black community in a transactional but relatively friendly way. He is one of the few white characters who enters the world of the play without hostility. Though not central, his presence highlights the limited but complex relationships between Black and white communities. Selig’s profession also symbolizes movement and connection in a fragmented world.

SELIG: Male presenting, late 20s+

Selig is a white travelling peddler and people-finder who interacts with the Black community in a transactional but relatively friendly way. He is one of the few white characters who enters the world of the play without hostility. Though not central, his presence highlights the limited but complex relationships between Black and white communities. Selig’s profession also symbolizes movement and connection in a fragmented world.

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