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AUDITION NOTICE:TITLE: GEM OF THE OCEAN
AUTHOR: August Wilson
DIRECTOR: Rovin Jay
RUN: February 21 – March 21, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. Special performances on Thursday and Sunday nights may be added for private parties and special events.
This is a volunteer community theater production. Non-Equity. There is no pay.
AUDITION DATES:
Open Call:
Dates: Monday, December 29th and Tuesday, December 30th, 2025
(Auditioners only need to come to one night of Open Call Auditions.)
Times: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Long Beach Playhouse
Callbacks: By Invitation Only.
Date: Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Times: 7pm - 10pm
REHEARSALS:
First Read-Through: Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, Noon - 4pm
Regular Rehearsal: Starting Jan. 5th:
Mondays – Thursdays, 7pm -10pm
Saturdays, 11am - 4pm
Possible Sundays, 6pm - 9pm TBD
(Please see beginning rehearsal schedule for specific dates and times.)
Location: Long Beach Playhouse
NOTE: Open to working with some limited minor conflicts, but we will not be casing people with conflicts on tech dates and performances.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Bring a headshot and resume.
Please prepare a monologue from an August Wilson play.
Sides for cold readings will be available at the auditions for those without a monologue prepared.
SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Set in 1904 Pittsburgh, Gem of the Ocean is the first chronological installment of August Wilson’s Century Cycle. The play centers on Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old spiritual guide, and her home at 1839 Wylie Avenue—a sanctuary for souls seeking redemption. As Citizen Barlow arrives in search of salvation, the household is drawn into a journey that spans history, memory, and myth.
CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
All roles are Black/African descent except for the role of Rutherford Selig. Long Beach Playhouse encourages actors of all backgrounds, gender identities, and abilities to audition.
AUNT ESTER (F, Black/African Descent, 60s–80s): A spiritual matriarch; commanding and wise.
CITIZEN BARLOW (M, Black/African Descent, 20s–30s): A young man seeking redemption; earnest and haunted.
SOLLY TWO KINGS (M, Black/African Descent, 60s–70s): A former conductor on the Underground Railroad; fiery and proud.
BLACK MARY (F, Black/African Descent, 30s–40s): Aunt Ester’s housekeeper and protégé; strong-willed and compassionate.
CAESAR WILKS (M, Black/African Descent, 40s–50s): Black Mary’s brother, a strict lawman; complex and authoritative.
ELI (M, Black/African Descent, 50s–60s): Caretaker of Aunt Ester’s home, grounded and loyal.
RUTHERFORD SELIG (M, Caucasian/European Descent, 40s–60s): A traveling peddler; observant and affable.
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