CASTING NOTICE

“Nat Turner in Jerusalem” by Nathan Alan Davis

In August 1831, Nat Turner led a slave uprising that shook the conscience of the nation. Nathan Alan Davis’s timely new play imagines Turner’s final night in a jail cell in Jerusalem, Virginia, as he is visited by attorney Thomas R. Gray and they reckon with what has passed, and what the dawn will bring. Woven with vivid imagery and indelible lyricism, Nat Turner in Jerusalem examines the power of an individual’s resolute convictions and their seismic reverberations through time.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

PRODUCER: Epic Jones
DIRECTOR: Yazmin Jones
DRAMATURG: Dorothy Paige-Turner

PERFORMANCE DATES: Oct 2 - 25, 2026

PRODUCTION TYPE: Non-Equity/Amateur

COMPENSATION: $1500

PERFORMANCE LOCATION

The West Side Show Room
1414 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103

AUDITION INFORMATION

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: One short monologue is encouraged. We can also provide you with material to read. You may be asked to improvise.

AUDITION TIMES:

SAT Apr 11: 2-4pm
MON Apr 13: 6-8pm

CALLBACKS:

SUN Apr 19: 2-4pm

AUDITION LOCATION

The West Side Show Room
1414 N Main St
Rockford, IL 61103

SCRIPTS: To request a perusal copy of the script please email auditions@wssr.org

APPOINTMENTS: To schedule an audition, please fill out an Audition Form. Walk-ins will be seen as time permits.

If you can’t make these times, please email auditions@wssr.org to schedule an alternate time or a zoom audition. Pre-recorded video auditions will also be accepted.

AUDITION FORM

ROLES

We will consider actors aged 20’s-40’s for the following roles:

NAT TURNER - (Male, Black, thirties) A religious leader, author of a slave uprising, and now a prisoner on the eve of his execution.

THOMAS R. GRAY - (M, White, thirties) A lawyer, rhetorician, and now he author of Nat's confession. Also plays the role of Guard - (M, White, thirties) A jailor.

CONTENT DISCLOSURE

  • This play contains limited historical use of racial epithets.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Scenes with LED Lighting, full blackout and sound cues

  • Both actors appear on stage for the duration of this 90 minute play

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

NAT TURNER

  • Southern accent

THOMAS R. GRAY/GUARD

  • Ability to play two distinct roles.

  • Southern accent

SCHEDULE

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals start: Aug 29, 2026

TECH

SAT Sep 26: 10am-10pm
SUN Sep 27: 10am-10pm

Note: actors will not be called for the entire duration of tech but must be available during these times. The Final tech schedule will be issued by Wed, Sep 23, 2026.

DRESS

TUE Sep 29: 6pm-11pm DRESS 1
WED Sep 30: 6pm-11pm DRESS 2
THU Oct 1: 6pm-11pm PREVIEW

Performers are expected to stay after Dress and Preview for notes.

PERFORMANCES

OCT 2 - 25, 2026

Thu: 7pm
Fri: 8pm
Sat: 2pm + 8pm
Sun: 7pm

Call time is 45 minutes before show time.

BRUSH UP REHEARSALS

WED Oct 7: 6-9pm
WED Oct 14: 6-9pm