Casting "HIgher," a play by Wayne Firestone. Synopsis: The play is set in a conjured passenger basket attached to a hot air balloon floating over the Mason-Dixon line. A young interracial couple seeks to escape COVID quarantine by ascending on the journey. The balloon operator is the son of a religious Liberian mother and an African-American father, whose spirits and folk tales accompany the tour and confront unresolved identity issues illuminated during a period of modern plagues—in Liberia during Ebola and the US during COVID-19. Production states: "Higher is about the perspective needed to navigate the divisive and dangerous period we are currently living and the particular challenges of marginalized communities. Seeking principals and understudies."
Bliss: Lead, Female, 25-70
Billy’s mother. Deeply religious and judgmental quoting biblical verses and dismissing African parables interchangeably. Unwilling to acknowledge family secrets that are inconsistent with her beliefs. She has died previously of Ebola but is experienced in flashbacks or memories, where she is still seeking control.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Media: Headshot/Photo
Gus: Lead, Male, 25-70
(pronounced “goose”) Billy’s Father. Practical and cautious. Works in a managerial position at a rubber plantation in Harbel, Liberia. Grew up in the US and then married Bliss in the 1970’s -when Nina Simone was visiting Liberia. A trickster at times, who tells folk tales to heal family tensions. Doubles as Anansi in folktale scenes.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Media: Headshot/Photo
Kat: Lead, Female, 22-36
African-American woman graduate student. Knows she is in a bad relationship, not the first. Looking for liberation from her current environment, at almost any cost, except she does not want to be alone and isolated during quarantine. Doubles as Leopard in folktale scenes.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Media: Headshot/Photo
Billy: Lead, Male, 25-30
African immigrant hot air balloon business owner/operator. Reserved, very slow speaking in dialogue. Full of encyclopedic information about his environs, which he shares generously and matter-of-factly. Much more reserved about his own personal thoughts. When he thinks to himself in soliloquy he speaks in a fast, rap-like cadence, in contrast. Suffers from insomnia aided only by childhood folk legends.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent
Required Media: Headshot/Photo
Marco: Lead, Male, 22-36
white businessman, slick-talking, presumptuous and nosy about other people’s business. Showy with his money and what he assumes it can buy in life. Sees himself socially and politically enlightened for having a black girlfriend. Doubles as Reindeer in folk scenes.
Ethnicity: White / European Descent
Required Media: Headshot/Photo
Additional: Pays $50 per show, for a total of $250. There will be 5 performances.
Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations
Rehearses on Zoom and in-person (location TBD); runs July 14, 16, 17, 22, and 24 in Washington, DC.
Washington, DC
