Augusta Players Announces Auditions for THE COLOR PURPLE
AUDITION INFORMATION
Presented by The Augusta Players
Book By Marsha Mason
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray
Production Team
Director: Scott Seidl
Choreographer: Santrena Hammonds
Music Director: Paul Barton-Jones
Production Stage Manager: Ashley Gambill
Audition Date – Saturday, May 24, 10AM – 4PM
Performance Dates: October 2, 3, 4, 5
Full Rehearsals begin on or around August 10
The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the subsequent films, spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life.
More information about the show can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Color_Purple_(musical)
Looking for performers of all types, ethnicities, shapes, sizes. Ages 10 and up. (See breakdown below for more specifics)
Looking for great singers who are strong actors. actors who sing, Singers who dance. All roles are open.
General Auditions:
Saturday, May 24, 10AM – 4PM
Adults will be seen in 5-minute slots and be asked to do a movement call at 10AM, or 1:00PM.
WE WILL TAKE WALK INS AND ALL ATTENDING WILL BE SEEN, even if the sign-up is full. Please come to a movement audition and a singing audition.
You can sign up for an audition slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845AFAE2DA7FA7-56688756-thecolor
Callbacks will be scheduled if needed.
Location:
TheAP Theatre Complex, 712 Ellis Street, Augusta, GA, 30901
Please read this whole notice before calling The Augusta Players.
If you cannot attend the in-person auditions:
Video submissions will also be accepted until 4PM on May 23.
Please email video submissions or YouTube links to: s.seidl@augustaplayers.org
Videos should include:
- Your name, phone number and email address
- A section of a song (See below) no longer than 1 minute.
- If auditioning for a specific character, one of the posted audition songs.
PLEASE also attach the completed audition form which you can download HERE
SINGING:
Please prepare a song from the show or a gospel song in the style of the show that best represents your range (vocal and acting). The section you sing should be no longer than 1 minute. We will stop you after 1 minute. If you are not singing from the show, please bring sheet music with you. No a cappella singing and no accompaniment tracks please.
MOVEMENT:
If you are auditioning for or will accept an ensemble role, please attend one of the two movement audition slots. (10AM – 10:30AM OR 1PM -1:30PM) A movement combination will be taught.
Rehearsals will begin on or around August 10.
Please bring personal calendars and be prepared to list all conflicts (Mondays-Sundays) beginning with Sunday, August 10, 2025 – October 5, 2025. Please do not assume that we know when any general holidays are (ie., school breaks, etc) and plan to list those as conflicts if you will be out of town or otherwise engaged. Conflicts must be noted at the audition and will influence casting. Only conflicts noted at the audition will be taken into consideration. No conflicts allowed September 21 – October 5.
MORE:
There may be some cold reading. You can download audition scenes / sides HERE
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
CELIE (African American, 20s-40s- Plays child to into her 50’s): Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but really not, has a deep, hard soul, has a sense of humor which is sometimes wicked. She is an observer. Needs a great belt singing voice with lots of soul.
Voice Range: Must have a wider range. Sings F3 to F5. One song up to a B6
NETTIE (African American, 20s-early 40s. Plays child to into her 50’s): Celie’s younger sister. Adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated, and knowledgeable than Celie. She has a powerful bond with Celie. Forced by Mister to leave Celie, she starts a new life in Africa. Needs a great belt singing voice with African influence.
Voice Range: Mezzo-Soprano. A4 – C5
HARPO (African American, 20s-early 30s. Plays into his late 40s): Mister’s eldest, vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia. He spends much time trying to get Sofia to obey him the way Celie obeys his father, but he is unsuccessful. Harpo eventually establishes a juke joint in his first house and becomes Squeak’s lover. Later, he and Sofia reconcile. Through his love of Sofia, he learns how to love a woman. Needs a great tenor singing voice.
Voice Range: Tenor. C3 – B5
SOFIA (African American, 30s. Plays into her late 40s ): Powerful warrior woman. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her. Needs comic chops. Need a great belt singing voice.
Voice Range: Alto. F3 – F5
MISTER (Albert) (African American, 30s-50s. Also known as Albert.
Plays into his 60s): Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence. Married to Celie, in love with Shug. Needs a strong singing voice. Must be comfortable playing the violent antagonist of the piece.
Voice Range: Bari-Tenor C3 – A5
SHUG (African American, 30s-40s. plays into her 50s): A popular singer. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty. Needs a knockout, Bessie Smith-style, bluesy singing voice.
Voice Range: Mezzo-Soprano. F3 – F5
SQUEAK (Mary Agnes) (African American, 20s. Plays into her early 40s): Harpo’s lover after Sofia leaves him. Although she is mistreated, she eventually undergoes a transformation, demanding to be called by her actual name, Mary Agnes, and starting a new life. Attractive, sassy, fiery, strong-willed, unafraid to take anybody on, has a caring heart. Needs comic chops. Needs a great singing voice with belt and soprano capability. Squeak is featured in the song, “Brown Betty,
Voice Range: Mezzo Soprano. C4 – E5
CHURCH LADIES A trio of gossipy women, that are seemingly always present, providing commentary throughout the show. Gospel style delivery.
DARLENE / W1. Voice Range (Top / Soprano) C4 – G5
JARENE / W2. Voice Range (Alto / Mezzo Soprano) Strong voice with solo possibilities. G3 – E5
DORIS / W3. Voice Range (Bottom / Alto) Gospel Arpeggios. G3 – C5
Female Ensemble: African-American Females, 16-50s
any age; strong singers to portray several characters. Some need to dance.
Voice Range: Various depending on role.
Male Ensemble: African-American Males, 16-50s
Any age; strong singers to portray several characters. Some need to dance.
Voice Range: Various depending on role.
If you still have questions please call TheAP at 706-826-4707.
See you at auditions!
