The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown
Based on the true story of a Black theatre company’s popular production of Shakespeare’s Richard III in 1821’s New York City and the white theatre owner trying to shut down their show by any means possible.
Performances: October 3-11, 2025
At the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Avenue
Director: Reuben Tapp
Auditions
The African Co. Presents Richard III AUDITION dates:
*Sunday April 27th 5-9 PM
Sunday May 4th 5-9 PM
[Call Backs TBD]
* The African Company Presents Richard III Auditions will coincide with auditions for our summer production, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
SYNOPSIS:
They had the talent, the audience, and the script. They just weren’t allowed to perform it.
New York City, 1821—six years before slavery’s end in New York. Free Black entrepreneur William Henry Brown, who once served drinks to white patrons, now served them Shakespeare at America’s first Black theater. His African Grove Theatre had already won over mixed crowds with Othello, but their Richard III rehearsals crossed an invisible line—especially with British star Junius Brutus Booth (father of John Wilkes Booth) performing the same role for whites-only audiences at the prestigious Park Theatre.
The response was brutal: police disrupted rehearsals, audiences were harassed, and the theater was repeatedly attacked. Though the company had proven their mastery of Shakespeare with other productions, their Richard III was silenced before opening night—a cultural casualty in America’s slow march toward emancipation.
WHAT TO BRING:
Actors are asked to perform a one minute poem or monologue dealing with race, inequality, or social justice. Actors will be asked to read scenes or monologues from the play, which will be distributed at the audition.
No previous experience necessary, all types of performers are encouraged to audition! Some roles will feature light intimacy, and fight choreography.
All the breakdowns are merely suggestions regarding the age ranges.
WILLIAM HENRY BROWN – Lead mid 20’s- mid 30’s, African American, male.
Owner of the African Grove. A free Black West Indian steward-turned-impresario. Historically darker skinned.
JAMES HEWLETT – Lead mid 30’s- late 40’s, African American, male.
Shakespearean trailblazer & the first Black American stage star. Mentor to Ira Aldridge also in the company. Historically lighter-skinned.
ANN JOHNSON – Lead early-late 20’s, African American, female.
The company’s leading lady. A free Black woman playing male Shakespearean roles (like Romeo) out of necessity. Represents the double struggle of race and gender in 1820s theater
SARAH – Supporting mid 30’s-50’s, African American, female.
Young, fiery activist questioning why Black artists must perform white classics
Embodies Black nationalist ideals decades before the movement
STEPHEN PRICE – Supporting late 40’s-60’s, White, male.
Park Theatre’s ruthless producer. Hired Junius Brutus Booth to “out-Shakespeare” the Grove.
THE CONSTABLE MAN – Supporting late 20’s-late 30’s, White, male.
Possibly Irish or Dutch/English. Acts as Stephen Price’s enforcer. Personifies how racist policies were weaponized against Black cultural expression.
PAPA SHAKESPEARE – Supporting 40’s- 60’s, African American, male
The elderly African/Caribbean actor .Represents tradition. Serves as dramatic foil to Sarah’s radicalism.
Performances will be October 3-11, Thursdays-Sundays at 7:30 pm at the MuCCC 142 Atlantic Ave. PreRehearsal “read through” the end of July. Rehearsals will begin August and run through September, mostly on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at the Irondequoit United Church of Christ. 644 Titus Road, Rochester, NY Tech rehearsals will start last week of Sept. No conflicts during Tech.
The African Company Presents Richard III is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)