AUDITIONS
Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC. + The West Side Show Room— the partnership that brought you The Wind and the Breeze and Barbecue— announce auditions for our third collaboration!
Eighteen-year-old Dontrell Jones the Third decides that it is his duty and destiny to venture into the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor lost during the Middle Passage. But his family is not at all ready to abandon its prized son to the waters of a mysterious and haunting past. Blending poetry, humor, wordplay, and ritual, Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea is a present-day hero’s quest exploring the lengths and depths we must go to redeem history’s wrongs.
Written by Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis, this special production will be directed by the playwright’s father, George Davis.
PRODUCTION: Amateur
PAY: $500 stipend. Travel reimbursement available
AUDITION TIMES: 1-3pm SAT Dec 21, 2024
PREPARE: We will provide you something to read from the script.
SIGN UP: Email auditions@wssr.org to schedule an appointment.
SCRIPTS: To request a copy of the script please email auditions@wssr.org
LOCATION
The West Side Show Room
1414 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103
NATHAN ALAN DAVIS
Nathan Alan Davis is a playwright and screenwriter based in New York and Boston. His writing for the stage includes The Refuge Plays (Roundabout Theatre/NYTW), Nat Turner in Jerusalem (NYTW), The High Ground (Arena Stage), Eternal Life Part 1 (Wilma Theater), Origin Story (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), The Wind and the Breeze (Cygnet Theatre), and Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea (NNPN Rolling World Premiere). For his body of work, Nathan has received a Windham-Campbell Prize (2021), a Steinberg Playwright Award (2020), and a Whiting Award in Drama (2018). His TV/film work includes projects for Netflix, AMC, BET, and Paramount. He is the Director of the MFA Playwriting Program at Boston University.
GEORGE DAVIS
George Davis, an accomplished actor and director, has been a member of the Black Theater Ensemble in Rockford, Illinois, and has performed in Dorothy Paige Turner's "Readers Theater." Now serving as the director of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, Davis draws on his 43 years of experience in human services to foster connections with the community. Residing in Evanston, he works to make the temple a welcoming space for reflection, interfaith gatherings, and community engagement.
SHOW INFO
Dontrell, Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis
Produced by WSSR in Partnership with Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC
Producers: Joshua Patterson, Matthew Simpson, Epic Jones
Director: George Davis
Show Dates: March 21 - April 12, 2025
PAY: $500 stipend
AVAILABLE ROLES
DONTRELL JONES III - (Male, Black, Age 18-28) Eighteen year-old heir to a haunting and powerful legacy.
ERIKA - (Female, White, 18-28) Twenty-one year-old lifeguard and Dontrell’s soul mate.
DAD (DONTRELL JONES JR.) - (Male, Black 40s/50’s) Dontrell’s father.
ROBBY - (Male, Black, 18-28) Dontrell’s nineteen year-old best friend and an honorary member of the family.
CONTENT
Profanity
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA is a modern fable in which all actors appear on stage for the entire show. Physical movement and African Dance are important part of this play.
An African Dance Choreographer will be hired for this production.
INTIMACY REQUIREMENTS
Actors may be called upon to stand in close proximity to each other and may touch each other as part of blocking and dance.
Dontrell and Erika perform on-stage intimacy. Erika puts her head on Dontrell's chest and blows into his mouth. They straddle each other, kiss, and embrace sexually. Erika Holds Dontrell's head against her belly.
Mom kisses Dontrell.
An Intimacy Coordinator will be hired for this production.
REHEARSALS
DONTRELL rehearsals start FEB 1, 2025. Attendance is required at all rehearsals you are scheduled for. We will schedule 2-5 rehearsals per week during the following times slots:
Wed: 7-11pm
FRI: 7-11pm
Sat: 9-12pm, 1-5pm, 6-10pm
Sun: 1-5pm, 6-10pm
Additional rehearsals may be scheduled as needed.
TECH REHEARSALS
Attendance is required at all tech rehearsals. You are expected to stay after Dress and Preview rehearsals for notes.
SAT Mar 15: 10am-10pm TECH
SUN Mar 16: 10am-10pm TECH
TUE Mar 18: 7pm CALL, 8pm DRESS
WED Mar 19: 7pm CALL, 8pm DRESS
THU Mar 20: 7pm CALL, 8pm PREVIEW
PERFORMANCES
FRI Mar 21: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SAT Mar 22: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SUN Mar 23: 3pm CALL, 4pm SHOW
THU Mar 27: 6pm CALL, 7pm SHOW (ADD)
FRI Mar 28: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SAT Mar 29: 1pm CALL, 2pm SHOW (ADD)
SAT Mar 29: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SUN Mar 30: 3pm CALL, 4pm SHOW
THU Apr 3: 6pm CALL, 7pm SHOW (ADD)
FRI Apr 4: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SAT Apr 5: 1pm CALL, 2pm SHOW (ADD)
SAT Apr 5: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW
SUN Apr 6: 3pm CALL, 4pm SHOW (ADD)
THU Apr 10: 6pm CALL, 7pm SHOW (EXT)
FRI Apr 11: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW (EXT)
SAT Apr 12: 1pm CALL, 2pm SHOW (EXT)
SAT Apr 12: 7pm CALL, 8pm SHOW (EXT)
(ADD) = possible added performance dates
(EXT) = possible extension dates
BRUSH UP REHEARSALS
THU Mar 27: 6-8pm
THU Apr 3: 6-8pm
A RICH EXPERIENCES PARTNERSHIP
DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA is the third collaboration between Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC. and The West Side Show Room— and the second play we are presenting by Rockford playwright Nathan Alan Davis (The Wind and the Breeze).
Eight Fifteen Capital, LLC understands that people find value in rich experiences and high quality relationships. We bring these things to people through:
• Quality housing close to amenities, in solid neighborhoods
• Strategic partnerships with brands/companies around high quality products
• Events and entertainment that bring people together to make connections and enjoy rich experiences
We are looking forward to continuing this partnership by creating rich theatrical experiences for the people of Rockford.