Auditions for 2018-19 Season

THE COLOR PURPLE

AUDITION BREAKDOWN

Neptune Theatre encourages submissions from all qualified performers, and prides itself on having an environment of equity, inclusion, and diversity. Artists from under-represented communities are encouraged to apply for auditions without regard to age, disability, ethno-cultural identity, gender or any other basis prohibited by law. All artists are invited to remove measurements and physical features from the resume.

Applying artists should be aware that Neptune also does not tolerate any form of harassment of its employees, clients, volunteers, or any persons visiting or spending time on its premises.

Please submit a pdf of your headshot & resume, preferable as one file to auditions@neptunetheatre.com specifiying which show, role and what city you are auditioning in (TORONTO or HALIFAX) in the subject line. 

The Color Purple - Actors engaged in this contract will play characters who are African and African-American. In particular we encourage actors identifying as a part of the African Diaspora to submit themselves for these audition.

CELIE

Female, African-American, early 20s – mid 30s

Drives the story.  Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive, believes she is ugly, possessing a sense of humour which is something wicked.  She is an observer.

SHUG AVERY

Female, African-American, 30s – 40s.

A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door.  Comfortable in her sexuality, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, she still has a frailty. She is loved by both Celie and Mister.  

SOFIA

Female, African-American, early 30’s – mid 40s

Powerful warrior woman.  Celebrates her commanding sensuality and sexuality in her full figured self, and knows how to harness it, great sense of humour.  Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her.

NETTIE

Female, African-American, 20s – 30s

Educated, adventuresome, feisty, viewed as attractive.  She has a powerful bond with her older sister, Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa.

CHURCH LADIES/ ENSEMBLE (3)

Female, African-American, early 20s – 50s.  A trio of busybody types who love to gossip about the people of their town.  They comment on the action throughout the show.

SQUEAK/ ENSEMBLE

Female, African-American, (presenting as mixed race having one parent who is Caucasian), 20 -30s.  

Squeak is Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Attractive, fiery, strong-willed, she is unafraid to take anybody on, has chutzpah and a caring heart.

OLIVIA/ ENSEMBLE

Female, African-American, 20s.

Celie’s daughter grown up.  

MISTER

Male, African-American, 30s – 40s

Also known as Albert.  Handsome, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behaviour. Mistreated by his father. Married to Celie, he abuses her.  He is in love with Shug .

HARPO

Male, African-American, 20s – 30s

Mister’s vulnerable, confused, son.  Represents the new generation. He marries Sofi and spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father. Harpo eventually establishes a jukejoint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover.  Later, he and Sofia reconcile.

PREACHER/ OL’ MISTER/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 40S – 50s

PREACHER is Shug Avery’s father.

OL’ MISTER is Mister’s father.  He owns the farmland on which Mister works and lives with Celie and his children.  

PA/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 30s-50s

Also known as Alphonso, he is Celie and Nettie’s stepfather who rapes and abuses Celie and gives away her two children.  

GRADY/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 20s – 40s

Shug Avery’s husband.  

BUSTER/ BOBBY/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 20s – 30s

Buster has the appearance of a boxer and is Sofia’s boyfriend for a spell.

Bobby is a young handyman who helps Celie around her house.

GUARD/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 30s – 40s

A Prison guard at the jail where Sofia is being held.

ADAM/ ENSEMBLE

Male, African-American, 20s – 30s

Celie’s son grown up.

VOCAL RANGES: