FLINT REPERTORY THEATRE

AUGUST WILSON’S MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM

IN-PERSON AND VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

AEA AND NON-UNION CONTRACT: AEA ITC (Independent Theatres Contract) 

SEEKING:
Flint Repertory Theatre is seeking AEA and Non-Union performers for AUGUST WILSON’S MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. We will be holding in-person auditions and accepting video submissions.

IN-PERSON AUDITIONS:
Monday, June 22nd from 12:00pm – 9:00pm 

CALLBACKS:
TBD (as needed)

IN PERSON AUDITIONS: Prepare one side for a character of your choosing found in the folder here: Audition Sides. Here is a link to the full script for reference: August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Script.

Additionally, for those interested in auditioning for the role of MA RAINEY, please prepare a short, blues flavored piece or perform a phrase from Black Bottom.

APPOINTMENTS:
Please fill out our in-person audition form here. At the end of the form, you will be directed to a link to select an appointment block.

Note: You do not need to bring a physical copy of your headshot and resume to your in-person appointment.

LOCATION:
Flint Repertory Theatre
1220 E Kearsley St
Flint, MI 48503  

PERSONNEL EXPECTED TO ATTEND:
Producing Artistic Director Nicole Samsel
Director Rico Bruce Wade
Administrative and Literary Coordinator Emily Nichter

VIRTUAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

VIDEO AUDITIONS: Provide a video of one side for a character of your choosing found in the folder here: Audition Sides. Here is a link to the full script for reference: August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Script.

Additionally, for those interested in auditioning for the role of MA RAINEY, please include a short, blues flavored piece or perform a phrase from Black Bottom.

Submit video auditions through the audition form here. 

Videos can be submitted via a link to your Vimeo, YouTube, personal website or other online account you prefer through the form below. Videos should be viewable without requiring downloads. Submissions should include a digital copy of your headshot and resume.

VIDEO SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Monday, June 22nd, 2026 (by end of day)

For additional questions, contact Emily Nichter at enichter@flintrep.org, 810-237-2520

AUGUST WILSON’S MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
By August Wilson
Directed by Rico Bruce Wade
Rehearsals: August 18 – September 17, 2026
Performances: September 18 – October 4, 2026

FIM Elgood Theatre

It’s 1927 in a Chicago recording studio, where legendary blues singer Ma Rainey arrives ready to lay down tracks on her own terms. As tensions rise between Ma, her band, and the white producers controlling the session, ambition, pride, and exploitation collide in a room thick with heat and history. August Wilson’s searing masterpiece is a powerful exploration of race, art, and the cost of claiming your voice in a world determined to silence it.

SEEKING:
Flint Rep is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, backgrounds, gender identities, body types, and abilities to audition for all available roles.

MA RAINEY 40-50s. Female-presenting. Black. Blues Singer. The legendary “Mother of the Blues.” Fierce, commanding, sensual, funny, and shrewdly strategic.

STURDYVANT 40-50s. Male-presenting. White. Owner/producer of the Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey is recording. A perpetrator of the exploitative machinery of the music business.

IRVIN 40-50s. White. Male-presenting. Ma’s manager and Sturdyvant’s partner. Diplomatic, and perpetually attempting to manage conflict between Ma and the recording studio executives.

DUSSIE MAE 20-30s. Female-presenting. Black. Ma’s young lover. Attractive, flirtatious, and aware of the power her sexuality gives her in maledominated spaces.

SYLVESTER Early 20s. Male-presenting. Black. Ma’s nephew. Earnest, prickly, dignified, and ‘country’. He possesses a pronounced stutter.

POLICEMAN 20-40s. Male-presenting. White. A Chicago police officer who is the embodiment of institutional authority with a particular charge of keeping people of color in line.

THE BAND:

Please note, actors in Ma Rainey’s band will play live music during the production. All members of the band must be able to play live music on their stated instrument.

CUTLER 50s. Male-presenting. Black. Trombone and guitar player. The practical, steady member of the band. Functions as mediator, protector, and moral anchor within the ensemble. Note: Actor must play trombone/guitar

TOLEDO 50-70s. Male-presenting. Black. Piano player. The intellectual philosopher of the band. He is educated, reflective, and politically conscious. Note: Actor must play piano

SLOW DRAG 40-50s. Male-presenting. Black. Bass player. Easygoing, humorous, and observant. The social glue within the band. Note: Actor must play bass

LEVEE GREEN 30s. Male-presenting. Black. Trumpet player. Ambitious and charismatic with dreams of transforming popular music and escaping poverty. Note: Actor must play trumpet