Equity Principal Auditions

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.

Yale Rep is committed to an inclusive casting policy and encourages all actors to audition regardless of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Please refer to the character breakdown and description of roles below.

Character Breakdown of Available Roles

As a part of the 2025-2026 season, a Local EPA will be held for Zora Neal Hurston’s SPUNK directed by Tamilla Woodard, choreographed by nicHi douglas, traditional music and hymns by many artists with new songs and arrangements by Nehemiah Luckett and music direction by John Bronston.

Auditions will be on Monday, April 7th, 2025 at 149 York Street in New Haven, CT from 2pm-10pm. Appointments, preparation instructions, and accessibility requests can be made via email to YaleRepEPA@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Non-union members can be seen on a walk-in basis.

An NYC EPA will be on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 from 9:30-5:30 (break 1:30-2:30) at the Actor’s Equity Building 165 West 46th Street, 16th Floor, Studio A.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.

Yale Rep is committed to an inclusive casting policy and encourages all actors to audition regardless of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Please refer to the character breakdown and description of roles below.

Spunk, written by Zora Neale Hurston in 1935, is an early American play with music crafted from text adapted from her 1925 short story alongside the music of the Black South. This music is based on Hurston’s vast recordings of folk tunes, spirituals, and hymns from her cultural anthropology work in rural towns, work sites, chain gangs, and places of worship and leisure.

Set in an all-Black town in Florida in the 1930’s, Spunk tells the story of a tall handsome guitar-playing stranger, who comes to town looking for work. When he falls in love with Lina, who is already married, the laws of man, the power of hoodoo and divinity of love all collide in this fable about the triumph of love over evil.

This production is not the 1989 George C. Wolfe play of the same name, based on three Hurston short stories.

Zora Neale Hurston’s
SPUNK

October 9 – October 25, 2025

Directed by Tamilla Woodard
Choreography by nicHi douglas
Traditional music and hymns by many artists with new songs and arrangements by Nehemiah Luckett
Music Direction by John Bronston

First Rehearsal: August 7, 2025
Tech Begins: September 25, 2025
First Preview: October 3, 2025 (Previews on October 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
Opening: October 9, 2025
Closing: October 25, 2025

Seeking an ensemble of actor/singer/multi-instrumentalists described below as well as understudies for all roles. Some tracks also require strong movers including Tap. The sound is gospel, folk blues (John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Sun House) and work songs of the Black American South. There is flexibility within the character tracks for what instruments may be played. Looking for Guitar, Banjo, Violin/Fiddle, Upright Bass/Washtub Bass. Harmonica, Hand Drums (Cajon/Box Drum/Djembe), and auxiliary Percussion (Washboard, Spoons) are also welcome.

Preparation: Preferred American writer from the early 20th-century 2-minute monologue AND 16 bars selection of music in the musical tradition described above. An accompanist will be provided, but singing a capella is also welcome.

Spunk: Mid 20’s-30s, Black, Male. Plays guitar. Sings. A newcomer to town, he is “tree-top tall” and able to tame the circle saw at the Mill with his singing and guitar playing alone. Described as “a giant of a man”… who is “scared of nothing,” Spunk immediately wins over the women in the town with his magnetic presence and good looks, and the respect and admiration of the men, with his integrity and charisma. Ideally a Bari-tenor; authoritative vocal quality; the role has flexibility between Baritone/Tenor.

Evalina: Mid 20’s-30s, Black, Female. Sings. Light Guitar. Married to Jim but finds her true love in the charismatic Spunk. She’s strong-willed and tries to do right by everyone, and herself. Soprano/Mezzo Soprano: Clear/Crystalline Sound. Strong harmony. Good mover.

Ruby: Late 20’s-30s, Black, Female. Sings and harmonizes. Desperately wants a partner and is the first to try to woo Spunk when he arrives in town. She is a little older than the other unmarried women of the town. Mezzo/Soprano-Alto. Strong harmony/strong mover. Doesn’t need to play an instrument.

Jim Bishop, As-cast: Late 20’s-30s, Black, Male. Evalina’s husband and Hodge Bishop’s son. He lacks his father’s power but depends on his influence in the town. Impulsive, proud. Slight build and stature—in comparison to Spunk. Additional roles as-cast require tuneful singing mostly with the community; a distinctive voice would be welcome. Strong mover.

Mrs. Watson: 50s-60s, Black, Female. Strong singer. Gospel inflections. Big Belt/ Strong sense of rhythm. Comfortable with Rhythm Instruments. Most importantly a “large voice” that can command the room/community. Mrs. Watson is an Elder of the town. She teases and challenges the young folk freely, incites the partying, and commands respect. Open to vocal part. Most important a “large voice” that can command and lead the community.

Hodge Bishop, As-cast: 50s-60s, Black, Male. Jim Bishop’s father, town Elder, spiritual leader and conjure man. He holds considerable power and influence. Uses hoodoo to seek revenge on Spunk. Does not need to sing solos but may participate in community singing. Dance background useful.

Admiral, As-cast: 30s-40s, Black, Male. Townsperson who owns a leaky boat he tries to sell rides in. A bit of a hustler. Needs to sing and harmonize. Percussion skills helpful. Ideal if this actor plays string bass or low brass instrument. Useful if strong mover. May also understudy HODGE BISHOP or another role.

Nunkie, As-cast: 20s-40s, Black, Male. Townsperson and part of the railroad spiking gang. Talks a big game. Likes to tease Ruby. Also plays Nixon, who leads the convict’s work songs. Needs to sing and harmonize. Baritone or Bass preferred. Useful if he plays and instrument. Strong mover. May also understudy.

Blue Trout, As-cast: 20s, Black, Male. Townsperson and part of the railroad crew. One of the youngest. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. Needs to sing and to harmonize; ideally a multi-instrumentalist. Strong mover including tap. May also understudy.