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Come out and audition for "Intimate Apparel" by Lynn NottageDirected by Byron Keys
***Auditions Sign Ups will be available soon. Follow this page to be notified when they are up***
In 1905, New York City, Esther, a black seamstress, is in great demand for the intimate apparel she creates for clients who range from wealthy white patrons to prostitutes.
Though leading a life that provides joy to so many, she remains lonely and longing for a husband and a future. Through a mutual acquaintance, she begins a correspondence with a lonesome Caribbean man named George, and soon he persuades her that they should marry, sight unseen.
However, Esther’s heart is drawn to the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth, and his heart with her. When George arrives in the city, Esther is hit with the reality of the situation, and she is forced to face a future that she is truly unprepared for.
Please note, if you accept a role, you will be required to become a member of Rosedale Community Players.
Character Descriptions:
Esther: African American, 30s– A skilled, reserved seamstress in her 30s who crafts exquisite lingerie for women across New York City in 1905. Esther has saved for years, dreaming of opening her own beauty parlor, but her journey shifts when she begins a vulnerable correspondence with George. Esther’s arc follows her pursuit of love and independence, navigating the tension between her aspirations and the harsh realities she faces. The actor that plays Esther kisses the actor that plays Mrs. Van Buren and the actor that plays George.
Mrs. Dickson: African American, 50s–Esther’s landlady, a pragmatic and protective woman in her 50s who sees herself in Esther’s struggles. She pushes Esther to take risks while reminding her of the consequences. Mrs. Dickson’s arc shows the wisdom and regrets of experience as she guides Esther through life’s trials.
Mrs. Van Buren: Caucasian, American, 30s–A wealthy, unhappily married white woman in her 30s who commissions Esther to make lingerie, yearning for freedom and intimacy in her loveless life. She is drawn to Esther’s resilience and warmth, seeking comfort in their unlikely friendship. Mrs. Van Buren’s arc reveals her struggle between societal expectations and her desires. The actor that plays Mrs. Van Buren shares a kiss with the actor that plays Esther.
Mr. Marks: Romanian Orthodox Jewish, 30s–An Orthodox Jewish fabric seller in his 30s who cherishes textiles with a spiritual reverence. Though bound by cultural and religious constraints, he develops a deep, unspoken affection for Esther, whom he admires profoundly. Mr. Marks’s arc is one of longing, as he reconciles his love for Esther with the boundaries of his faith.
Mayme: African American, 30s–A spirited, African American prostitute in her 20s, Mayme uses humor and sensuality as a shield against her difficult life. She becomes Esther’s confiddante, yet also her rival in unexpected ways. Mayme’s arc explores resilience and self-worth, as she confronts her dreams and disappointments.
George Armstrong: Barbadian immigrant, 30s–A laborer from Barbados, in his 30s, seeking a better life in America. Charismatic but distant, he writes to Esther from the Panama Canal with grand promises of a future together, though he harbors a more complicated agenda. George’s arc explores the allure of ambition and the compromises that accompany it. The actor that plays George shares a kiss with the actor that plays Esther. The actor that plays George has moments of staged intimacy with the actor that plays Esther and the actor that plays Mayme.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
17029 W. 13 MILE RD., 48076, 17029 W 13 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48076-1240, United States
