THREE SISTAHS - Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, home of Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. 1333 E Washington St. Non Equity Auditions

In-Person Open Call of Acting, Singing and Movement for Adult actors on Live Stage

Playwright: Conceived by Janet Pryce.; Book and Lyrics by Thomas W. Jones II
Director: Dzifa Kwawu
Music Director: Brenda Hankins
Compensation: Pay (Stipend)
Rehearsals Begin: February 17, 2026
Show Run: March 27, 2026 – April 12, 2026

Production by: The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc.
https://www.blacktheatretroupe.org/threesistahs

Audition Date and Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026 @ 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Callback Dates and Times: Saturday, February 14, 2026 @ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM and, if necessary, Sunday, February 15, 2026 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Audition Venue:
Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, home of Black Theatre Troupe, Inc.
1333 E Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034

Parking and Entrance: Theatre building on south side of light rail. Parking available in the North and West parking lots. Enter through the “Stage Door” that faces Washington Street.

Nudity?: No

Participation Fees?: No

Audition Preparation:

1. Prepare one 1-2 minute contemporary monologue.

2. Prepare 16 - 32 bars of one song, a cappella.

3. Optional Headshot/Resume Submission

If you would like to audition, fill out the
Audition Form Submission, by clicking this link:
https://forms.gle/bsiXMBjebuxkPmPUA

Audition Contact:
audition@blacktheatretroupe.org

Chanel Bragg, Producing Artistic Associate 602-405-0399

Dzifa Kwawu, Three Sistahs Director 480-553-4438

Show Synopsis

Set in 1969 against the backdrop of civil unrest and the Vietnam War, Three Sistahs is a powerful musical play that blends the intensity of family drama with the soul-stirring sounds of gospel, R&B, and Motown. Inspired by Chekhov’s Three Sisters, this contemporary reimagining follows siblings Olive, Marsha, and Irene as they reunite at their childhood home in Washington, D.C., for the funeral of their younger brother, a soldier recently killed in Vietnam. As the women mourn, memories surface, old wounds reopen, and truths long buried come to light. Each sister, strong-willed and passionate in her own right, grapples with loss, identity, love, and the societal pressures of being Black women in a turbulent era. Through raw dialogue and evocative music, Three Sistahs explores the complexities of sisterhood, the scars of war, and the hope of healing through unity and shared history.

Character Breakdown

Olivia - Age late 30s to early 40s
The eldest sister. A stern, deeply religious woman who has taken on the burden of keeping the family together. She is the most guarded of the three and holds tightly to tradition and duty. Olivia feels a sense of maternal responsibility and is slow to express vulnerability, but her deep grief and inner loneliness eventually surface.

Marsha - Age Late 20’s early to mid 30s
The middle sister. A political activist and intellectual, Marsha is passionate, confrontational, and emotionally fiery. She believes in change and challenges societal and familial expectations. Often at odds with Olivia, she represents the voice of the emerging Black Power movement and the emotional chaos of the time.

Irene – Age 20s
The youngest sister. A romantic and dreamer, Irene is sensitive, tender, and caught between her ideals and her reality. She often retreats into nostalgia and fantasy to avoid conflict. Though seemingly fragile, she holds a quiet strength. Her journey involves confronting the illusions she’s built around love and family.

Additional Info

The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc. has been providing training, employment and performance opportunities for multiethnic and underserved artists since 1970 and acts to make significant contributions toward fostering the arts, specifically theater, within the State of Arizona. It operates to enhance the cultural and artistic awareness of the community by providing productions that illuminate the African-American experience and culture. It is our purpose and mission to educate, enlighten, and entertain a diverse, multicultural audience by using local, regional and national talent with the emphasis on providing exposure to black culture and ideology.