KING JAMES - Carpenter Square Theatre Non Equity Auditions

KING JAMES
DIRECTED BY LILLI BASSETT

When: 2:30-4:30 pm Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Readings from the script. Plan to arrive no later than 3:30 pm. If needed, callbacks will be held at a time to be determined. If you have any questions, email artistic@carpentersquare.com.

Where: At the theatre, located at 1009 W. Reno. Parking is free on the street. Do not use the parking lot for The Horn Trader on the northeast corner of Western & Reno. You may park on ramps in front of garage doors on Reno.

What: Bring a recent photo and theatrical résumé. Be prepared to list any definite or possible conflicts on your audition form from August 3 through the run of the play September 27, 2026. Rehearsals will start almost immediately after auditions.

Please read the script before auditions! Hard copy perusal scripts are available to check out. Call CST at 405-232-6500 or email business@carpentersquare.com to make arrangements to check out a script. Call or contact us in the office before dropping by.

Office Hours: Closed Mondays. Open Tuesdays through Fridays 1-6:00 pm. Again, please call CST at 405-232-6500 or text/call Rhonda Clark at 405-205-2446 before coming by.

Performance dates: September 11-27, 2026.
Specific dates are: 10 performances over 3 weekends: September 11-12, 17-20, and 24-27. There will be a brush-up rehearsal and archive photos on September 16. Most rehearsals are scheduled Mon-Fri at 7 p.m. with Saturday or Sunday rehearsals scheduled only if needed to accommodate week-night conflicts. 1st tech is the afternoon/early evening of Sunday, September 6.

CAST OVERVIEW: 2 men, one Black, 1 White.
We see both characters at ages 21, 27, 31, and 33. We get to see their fortunes rise and fall over 12 years as their bond grows. These are juicy roles, guys!

SHAWN (a preppie young black man) is a product of St. Ignatius Catholic High School. At the top of the play, he has just sold a short story and has some money to spend on Cavalier tickets. He’s a big NBA fan, although he has never attended a Cavaliers game in person. There’s a story there.
MATT (a sloppy white dude) is an inexperienced bartender at a wine bar in east Cleveland. He still depends on his parents for money and a place to do laundry. At the top of the show, he’s in debt and even though his parents won’t give him any cash right now, his dad hands over his Cavalier season tickets to sell. He’s a big Cavaliers fan and has attended games since he was six.

SYNOPSIS:
Overview: “King” LeBron James’ years playing in Cleveland bring promise, prosperity, and renewal to the city, while his twelve-year reign also unites Shawn and Matt in an unlikely friendship founded on basketball.
The fortunes of the Cavaliers are about to change: The great LeBron James, the biggest star in basketball, is coming to Cleveland. But when superfan Matt’s latest business venture turns sour, he has to sell his most prized possession – his pair of Cavs season tickets. The buyer, Shawn, just sold his first short story – so watching his team in the flesh for the first time will be a sweet reward. Now just to figure out what to do with that second ticket. Thrown together by chance, the next 12 years prove as defining, dramatic, and sometimes heart-breaking for Matt and Shawn as they do for the Cavs – and for “King” LeBron James. Multi-award-winner Rajiv Joseph delivers a clever comedy that is an intimate exploration of the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships.
“Funny and genuinely touching.” – Time Out. “A touching examination of male friendship and the powerful social currents beneath it.” – The New York Times. “Joseph has created one of the funniest and most moving plays about friendship in years... Basketball fans will love Joseph’s insider-y jokes. Even if you don’t follow the game all that much, King James is a must-see.” – TheaterMania