Universal Stage Productions Development LLC | New York, NY
Friday, November 21, 2025
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (E)
Lunch 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Development Agreement
$1384 weekly minimum (Tier 3)
Equity actors for roles in the Tier 3 work sessions for IMITATION OF LIFE (See breakdown).
There are no Equity stage managerial positions available for these work sessions.
Please prepare a short R&B/soul, gospel, or contemporary musical theatre song in the style of John Legend that shows musicality and range. A piano accompanist will be provided. Please bring a headshot and resume stapled together.
Pearl Studios (500)
500 8th Ave
New York, NY 10018-6504
Holding room - Studio 1209
Producers: Universal Theatrical Group, Sue Wagner and John Johnson
Director: Liesl Tommy
Book: Lynn Nottage
Music and Lyrics: John Legend
Choreographer: Christopher Windom
Music Director: Brandon Michael Nase
General Manager: Wagner Johnson Productions
Casting: The Telsey Office, Patrick Goodwin, CSA and Rashad Naylor, CSA
Expected to attend:
Casting Director(s): Patrick Goodwin and/or Rashad Naylor
Work Session Dates: January 12, 2026 thru February 6, 2026
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
CASTING NOTE: Please note that for the roles of Peola and Young Peola, it is pivotally important that these roles are authentic to the characters. We encourage actors to research the source material, particularly the novel written by Fannie Hurst, to get a sense of why this is important to the storytelling.
PEOLA: Female. Ages from 18 - 20's. A white-passing Black, Afro-Latina, or bi-racial woman. Strong-willed, dynamic, and beautiful. Must have an excellent singing voice and strong acting skills. Must be a strong dancer.
BEA: Female. White, late 30s - 40s. No nonsense, vivacious, ambitious, controlling. A life well lived in. Must have an amazing singing voice and strong acting and movement skills.
YOUNG PEOLA: Female. 9-11 years old. A young, white-passing Black, Afro-Latina, or bi-racial girl. Must have an excellent singing voice and strong acting skills.
YOUNG JESSIE: Female. 9-11 years old. White. Bea’s daughter. Must have an excellent singing voice and strong acting skills.
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