FENCES Submission - Denver Center Theatre Company Auditions

[GABRIEL] (African American Male, 40s-50s). Troy’s brother. He is the only sibling Troy is still in touch with, though they grew up in a large family. Gabe was wounded in World War II and now has a metal plate in his head. Because of his head injury, Gabriel thinks he is his own Biblical namesake – the archangel Gabriel himself. Gabe spends a lot of time doing, what he views has his duty (i.e. chasing hell hounds and reminiscing about all the lovely biscuits he's shared with St. Peter). He may seem gruff, but gets his feelings bruised quite easily. He is all at once gentle, protective and child-like.

[CORY] (African American Male, mid-late 20s). Son of Troy and Rose Maxon. We see him both as a teenager and as a young Marine in his middle or late twenties. As a boy, he is just beginning to experience his budding manhood. Yet, he hasn’t acquired the confidence to actualize his intentions. He is the product of a different time and history than his father. His father’s stern, often draconian, and sometimes brutal discipline forces a physical confrontation. Having been unable to best his father, he is banished from the family home. He returns, after his father’s death, as a Marine corporal. His posture is that of a military man, and his speech has a clipped sternness.

[BONO] (African American Male, late 40s-50s). Troy’s friend of thirty-odd years. Of the two men, he is the follower. He seeks to emulate Troy’s honesty, capacity for hard work, strength, and physical prowess. The two men have known each other since prison. Their friendship is warm, honest, and mutual. Bono is easily engaged in laughter and storytelling and often ends up playing a sort of “straight man” to Troy’s humor. He is a simple man, who places great emphasis on family, honesty, and hard work.