Alabama Story
By Kenneth Jones
The Westmoreland Players invites all interested actors to audition for our upcoming production of “Alabama Story,” by Kenneth Jones.
Acting experience is not required!
Auditions will be held at the Westmoreland Players Theatre in Callao on February 17 and 18 at 6:30 pm with callbacks if needed on February 19.
Synopsis: In 1959, as the Civil Rights movement is brewing, a children’s book about a white rabbit and a black rabbit sparks a dispute between a segregationist State Senator and a no-nonsense State Librarian in Montgomery, Alabama. Meanwhile, long-separated childhood friends confront the troubling reason they were torn apart. Inspired by true events, “Alabama Story” brims with humor, heartbreak, and hope.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
GARTH WILLIAMS – a white writer and illustrator who authored the book at the center of the controversy and who serves as a narrator of the play. Dry and witty. Lead role.
LILY WHITFIELD – a white woman from small-town Alabama privilege. Lily was a close childhood friend of Joshua. She is sheltered, religious, and sentimental. Lead role.
JOSHUA MOORE – an upwardly mobile African American man who was a close childhood friend of Lily’s. Joshua left Alabama years ago after serving in the Army. Politically active and worldly. Lead role.
E.W. HIGGINS – A white Alabama State Senator. A racist demagogue whose rhetoric is performative. Capable of being charming. Not a caricature or a buffoon, he is dangerously polished. Lead role.
EMILY REED – a late middle-aged white female librarian from out of state. She has no sense of humor and little patience for politicians or fools. A woman of deep conviction and integrity. Lead role.
THOMAS FRANKLIN – A young white male reference librarian from Alabama serving as Emily’s assistant. Formal, genteel, educated, and efficient, but a little awkward socially. Lead role.
BOBBY CRONE – Elderly white male Senator who is a mentor and father figure to Higgins. Sickly, irritable, and wise. Supporting role.
HERSCHEL WEBB – white male pro-integration Montgomery newspaper reporter. Supporting role.
HENRY BRANCH – white male newspaper pro-segregation columnist. Supporting role.
There are two passers by and a coffee cart server who may be played by the actors portraying Crone, Webb, or Branch.
Please RSVP at president@westmorelandplayers.org so we can plan auditions more efficiently.
If you are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, let us know and we will schedule you separately. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Rehearsals will begin in early March and Alabama Story will be performed from May 2 – May 18, 2025.