Arena Announces 'CROWNS' Finding Yolanda Casting Search
By: Reynard Loki Dec. 02, 2008
In ReGina Taylor's musical Crowns, Yolanda is a young woman who faces a change in her life and through it finds her true promise and identity. Arena Stage has decided to change the life of one lucky, local talent by opening auditions to the D.C. area for the role of Yolanda in the theater's upcoming production of Crowns. The Finding Yolanda Casting Search will be an all-day event on Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009).
"The Washington metro area is brimming with talented performers, and Arena knows that with Yolanda we can embrace a different way to find a fresh young artist who has been 'under the radar,'" comments Artistic Director Molly Smith. "We plan to shine a spotlight on this homegrown talent."
Yolanda is an African-American woman between the ages of 16 and 24. For this role, the actress must be able to act, sing and dance; previous professional theater experience is not required. The Arena Stage casting department has been in contact with area schools, churches and community organizations to start the search. Arena expects to see those who have been called back from these casting visits as well new actors ready to demonstrate their talent.
Finding Yolanda Audition Timeline, January 3, 2009:
All events take place in the Lincoln Theatre
8:00 a.m. Sign-ups for audition appointments begin
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Audition appointments take place (open to general public)
4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Callbacks (open only to guests of contestants and media)
Callbacks, which will include a three-part audition focusing on singing, acting and dancing, will be judged by a panel including Smith; the Director of Arena's Crowns Kenneth Lee Roberson; and Arena favorites Marva Hicks and Harriett D. Foy, who were last seen at Arena in The Women of Brewster Place.
Arena is committed to casting the role of Yolanda through this search and will announce the winner within the following week.
Winner of four Helen Hayes Awards, including Best Resident Musical, Crowns features soulful, joyful music celebrating family, faith, love and loss in a series of musical portraits. Adapted from the acclaimed book by photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry, Crowns takes an intimate look at six women whose storied lives are woven into the straw, silk, wool and lace that adorn their heads. Crowns runs March 27–April 26, 2009 at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre.
For interested contestants seeking more information about the Finding Yolanda Casting Search please email yolanda@arenastage.org.
The Arena Stage 2008/09 Season is sponsored by The Family of H. Max and Josephine F. Ammerman, Andrew R. Ammerman, and Hubert (Hank) and Charlotte Schlosberg.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith, Washington, D.C.-based Arena Stage has become the largest theater in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Founded in 1950 by Zelda Fichandler, Thomas Fichandler and Edward Mangum, Arena Stage was one of the nation's original resident theaters and has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage will be a leading center for the production, development and study of American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000. For more information please visit www.arenastage.org.
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