BLACK HEAVEN

AUDITIONS FOR BLACK HEAVEN

Reader’s Theatre - Actors are not required to memorize lines

A Visionary Theatrical Experience Auditions:

Saturday, January 10, 2:00–4:00 PM

Unity of Merced

305 W 26th St, Merced, CA

Performances:

Saturday, February 28 at 6:30 PM

Sunday, March 1 at 1:30 PM

Unity of Merced

In Black Heaven: A Theatrical Conversation Across Eternity, God opens the door to a sweeping dialogue on Blackness, moderated by W.E.B. Du Bois (portrayed by Merced’s acclaimed thespian Dennis Brown). Merced’s celebrated vocalist Cheryl Lockett embodies the incomparable Nina Simone and the indomitable Zora Neale Hurston. Fresno’s current poet laureate, Aideed Medina, steps into the role of author Virginia Woolf, while performer and educator Dawn Trook portrays the brilliant and haunting Sylvia Plath. Vocalist and actress Michelle Allison brings forth the powerful voices of Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou. Artist and mother of four, Mireya Rodriguez brings her passion for volunteerism and community service to her angel roles in Black Heaven.

This extraordinary gathering unites iconic figures from both the living and ancestral realms—Paul Robeson, Tennessee Williams, Ossie Davis, Eugene O’Neill, Bertolt Brecht, Lorraine Hansberry, Spike Lee, Nelson Mandela, Alexandre Dumas, August Wilson, Amiri Baraka, Maxine Hong Kingston, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, and many others—each lending their voice to this timeless, transcendent conversation.

Casting Information

The production is seeking a diverse ensemble of actors, dancers, and musicians to portray a wide range of historical, cultural, and spiritual figures.

• Actors will perform 3–5 characters each.

• All experience levels are welcome.

• Musicians and dancers are strongly encouraged to audition.

• Actors with the ability to portray multiple accents are especially encouraged to participate.About the Playwright:

Dr. Kim McMillon is a playwright, theatre educator, and literary artist known for creating work that bridges history, spirituality, and community engagement. A longtime advocate for radical inclusion in the arts, McMillon’s productions uplift overlooked voices and invite audiences into conversations that transcend time and space. Her latest work, Black Heaven, continues her commitment to honoring ancestral wisdom and celebrating the transformative power of collective storytelling.

All performers will receive an honorarium. Rehearsals will include four online sessions via Zoom and one in-person rehearsal during the week of the performances. For more information, please contact: Kim McMillon at YmxhY2toZWF2ZW4xMTExIHwgbXl5YWhvbyAhIGNvbQ==.

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