Casting for African-American Shakespeare Company's annual CINDERELLA.
Please note this is not the Rogers & Hammerstein production, but one independently written by AASC and inspired by The Grimms Fairytale.

Director: Gary Stanford

Casting: James Mercer II, AASC Co-Associate Artistic Director

AASC Executive Director: Sherri Young, Founder

All ethnicities, genders, abilities, body types, ages and orientations will be considered, but AASC’s policy is for 90% of major roles to be cast with BIPOC artists with a focus on Black/African-American actors.

*****PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT IF YOU ARE OVER 18*****

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Cinderella - Lead Character, African American, Mezzo Soprano, Female, 18-30. She craftily reads the room at all times; she can absorb toxic energy and churn it into positivity and sunlight. She is sorrowful for what has transpired in her life, yet fiercely hopeful that her fate will be an adventure for the ages.  We need an actor who can take Cinderella through the iconic transformation we have all come to know and adore. Sings “Someone to Build With” and “Almost Pretty” from the score.

Prince Charming - Lead Character, African American/Mixed Race/Multiracial, Tenor, Male, Mid 20s - Mid 30s. He is a stoic, youthful, confident, and righteous prince who does not see the world through a royal lens but through the lens of a gentleman in search of true love. Sings “I Want to Be Me” from the score.

Stepmother (we are considering a female for this role) - Supporting Character, African American, Alto, Female, Aged late 30s - 60s. Looking for a dynamic, self-centered dynamo who lives and breathes vanity, condescension, and all the traits you would not want to have in a mother! She sings, “Bad Mamma” from the score. 

Stepmother (we are considering a male for this role) - Supporting Character, African American, Baritone, Male, Aged late 30s to 60s. Looking for a dynamic, self-centered dynamo who lives and breathes vanity, condescension, and all the traits you would not want to have in a mother! She sings, “Bad Mamma” from the score. 

*Please note that we are casting ONE actor for Stepmother, but the actor's gender expression is open.

Shaniqua, Stepsister - Supporting Character, African American, (any voice type), Male, 20s. Sharp Wit, yet bratty, sassy, self-centered, vain, and materialistic. Her goal in life is to be the stepmother’s favorite child and ultimately Prince’s choice as the next princess of the lands!! Looking for incredible chemistry with Zonita. This actor will be impersonating a female character to comedic precision.

Zonita, Stepsister - Supporting Character, African American, (any voice type), Male, 20s. Sharp Wit, yet bratty, sassy, self-centered, vain, and materialistic. Her goal in life is to be the stepmother’s favorite child and ultimately Prince’s choice as the next princess of the lands!! Looking for incredible chemistry with Shaniqua. This actor will be impersonating a female character to comedic precision.

Fairy Godmother - Featured Character, African American/Mixed Race/Multiracial, Any Ethnicity, Female-presenting, Alto or Soprano, supporting character in Cinderella. She is a kind-hearted, albeit absent-minded, fairy and the physical embodiment of hope, who is devoted to making dreams come true for the pure-hearted and noble. Sings “Believe it” from the score.

Duke - Featured Character, Any Ethnicity, male-presenting, and in contrast with Prince Charming, we are looking for a very animated actor, vain, short-tempered, sarcastic, and morally defunct, vs Prince’s strong will and good morals. (Can double as Young Cinderella’s Father).

Grandmother - Featured Character, African American/Mixed Race/Multiracial, Mezzo Soprano, Female, Age 40s and up. Should have a loving, reassuring yet dynamic presence and ability to own the stage. This role might double as Fairy Godmother. Sings the song “Share Love” from the score.

Dancers (looking to pair male/female dance partners) - Any Ethnicity, looking for strong dancers to partner in the Ballroom Scene, along with various characters.

Submit by following THIS LINK HERE.

Sides can be found HERE.

Any questions to be directed to James Mercer II via james@african-americanshakes.org