Coming Soon:
Kentwood Players presents
By The Way, Meet Vera Stark
by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Rondrell McCormick
Produced by Rhonda Yeager-Hutchinson
Jan 17 - Feb 8, 2025
BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Written by the popular Pulitzer Prize-winning African American playwright Lynn Nottage, By The Way, Meet Vera Stark takes an entertaining and revelatory look at racism in the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Inspired by the struggles of actresses like Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen, worlds collide when aspiring African American starlet Vera Stark, who works as a maid to Gloria Mitchell, an aging Caucasian star grasping at her fading career, lands a trailblazing role in an antebellum epic starring none other than her boss! The play examines Vera's 70-year career and her place in Hollywood history.
The
Character Breakdown is:
- Vera Stark (female presenting, 25-35, POC)
- An African American who works for Gloria Mitchell, Vera is a maid desperately wanting to become an actress.
- Gloria Mitchell (female presenting, 25-35)
- Known as “America’s little Sweetie Pie,” Gloria is Vera’s employer, and has a friendly relationship with her.
- Leroy Barksdale (male presenting, 35-45, POC)
- The Man Friday, loyal aide of Maximilian Von Oster, Leroy cannot live without acting or his trumpet.
- Anna Mae Simpkins (female presenting, 25-35, POC)
- A roommate of Vera and Lottie, Anna Mae is a woman who uses her looks to get what she wants.
- Lottie (female presenting, 20’s, POC)
- Lottie is Vera’s other roommate.
- Maximillian Von Oster (male presenting, 40-60)
- Maximillian is from Russia and is the director of the film “The Belle of New Orleans.”
- Mr. Slasvick (male presenting, 40-60)
- Mr. Slasvick is the owner of the studio looking to produce the film “The Belle of New Orleans.”
- Herb Forrester (male presenting, 35-55)
- A filmmaker, musician and entrepreneur from Oakland, California, Herb Forrester is the facilitator for the “Rediscovering Vera Stark, the legacy of The Belle of New Orleans” Colloquium.
- Carmen Levy-Green (female presenting, 35-50, POC)
- A stout and stylish academic, Carmen is the professor of media and gender studies at USVC. She serves as a panelist “Rediscovering Vera Stark, the legacy of The Belle of New Orleans” Colloquium.
- Afua Assata Ejobo (female presenting, 30-40, POC)
- Afua is a journalist, poet and performer. She is very hip and slightly masculine. She also serves as a panelist “Rediscovering Vera Stark, the legacy of The Belle of New Orleans” Colloquium.
- Brad Donovan (male presenting, 40-60)
- The host of “The Brad Donovan Show,” a 1970’s talk show, Brad tries to avoid controversial topics such as racism.
- Peter Rhys-Davies (male presenting, 25-40)
- Peter is a groovy English rock musician who is also a guest on the Brad Donovan Show with Vera Stark in 1973.
- Note - The following roles will be double-cast
- Leroy Barksdale/Herb Forrester
- Lottie/Carmen Levy Green
- Anna Mae Simpkins/Afua Assata Ejobo
- Mr. Slasvick/Brad Donovan
- Maximillian Von Oster/Peter Rhys Davies
Watch the
Audition page for audition details.