This original new musical is a contemporary, music- and movement-driven original musical celebrating the resilience, humor, and legacy of Black communities. While rooted in the lived experience of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the production explores universal themes of home, hope, memory, and intergenerational responsibility. We are seeking artists with exceptional storytelling ability, emotional honesty, and a collaborative spirit who are eager to help develop a new work.

The show is set in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where music, memory, and community become the foundation of a movement.

When The Resistance—a beloved neighborhood record store and cultural landmark—is threatened by redevelopment, three young community organizers, Truth, Harmony, and Zay, rally their neighbors to save more than just a building. As longtime residents face displacement and their neighborhood begins to transform around them, they discover that preserving a community requires more than protest—it demands courage, sacrifice, and hope.

This show requires really strong actors, people who truly understand the emotional depth of characters, beats, and relationships. While dance is a very important part of the show we accept and welcome all levels of dancers. Seriously all are welcome, if you have rhythm and enthusiasm we will work with you where you are.

Find the character descriptions below.

HARMONY JONES

Female | Black/African American | 20–25
Mezzo-Soprano

Warm, intelligent, grounded, and quietly powerful. Harmony is the emotional heartbeat of the group. While Truth is often the public face of the movement, Harmony is the one holding everyone together behind the scenes. She represents the countless Black women whose love, labor, and resilience sustain families and communities without seeking recognition. Possesses quiet strength, humor, and deep empathy. Excellent singer with strong acting skills.

Think: Nala from The Lion King, Ryan Destiny, Coco Jones, Nia Long energy

---

ZAY HOLMES

Male | Black/African American | 20–25
Tenor/Baritenor

The group's comic relief and resident optimist. Quick-witted, effortlessly charming, and endlessly loyal, Zay uses humor to navigate pain and uncertainty. His jokes are never escapism—they're survival. Beneath his playful exterior is someone deeply invested in protecting his friends and preserving the neighborhood he loves. Strong comedic instincts with the ability to pivot into genuine emotional moments.

Think: Martin, DC Young Fly, Will Smith from Fresh Prince energy

---

ELIJAH JENKINS

Male | Black/African American | 35–45
Baritone

Owner of The Resistance, a beloved neighborhood record store. Thoughtful, wise, and deeply rooted in his community, Elijah serves as an older brother and mentor to Truth, Harmony, and Zay. He's watched Bed-Stuy transform over decades and quietly carries the grief of seeing pieces of his home disappear. When his store is threatened, he begins to lose hope before rediscovering it through the next generation. A rich, expressive singing voice is preferred.

Think: Leslie Odom Jr, Aaron Davis/Uncle Aaron (Spider-Verse) energy

---

AUNTIE PAM

Female | Black/African American | 55–70
Alto/Mezzo

The soul of the musical.

Equal parts church mother, neighborhood auntie, comedian, activist, and philosopher. Fierce, funny, nurturing, unapologetically honest, and endlessly loving. She has known every child in the neighborhood, organized every fundraiser, sung in every choir, and somehow always knows exactly what someone needs before they do. Beneath her humor is profound wisdom born from a lifetime of service. She becomes the bridge between generations, teaching that hope is not a feeling but a daily choice.

This role requires extraordinary warmth, impeccable comedic timing, commanding stage presence, and the ability to break an audience's heart with a single look.

Think: LaChanze, Tonya Pinkins, Sharon D. Clarke, Phylicia Rashad energy

---

NIA

Female | Black/African American | 20-25
Soprano/Mezzo

A bright, curious young artist with a sharp mind and a fearless spirit. Auntie Pam's niece and Zay’s Girlfriend. Nia represents the next generation inheriting both the beauty and the responsibility of community. She often asks questions people don’t. Strong singer and rapper with authenticity and natural warmth.

Think: Monica Wright (Love & Basketball), Lena James (A Different World), Teyanna Taylor, Queen Latifah Energy

---

TOM

Male | White | 30–50

Polished representative of Better For All Development. Friendly, articulate, and genuinely believes redevelopment is progress. Never portrayed as a cartoon villain. Intelligent actor capable of revealing complexity beneath professionalism.

---

SUSIE

Female | White | 30–50

Tom's colleague. Warm, polished, and persuasive. She sincerely believes she is improving neighborhoods, making her worldview all the more unsettling. Strong acting skills required.

---

THE ANCESTORS (4 WOMEN)

Female | Black/African American | Ages Open
Exceptional Movers and Singers

The spiritual heartbeat of the production.

Represent generations of Black women whose resilience, sacrifice, artistry, and faith continue to guide the living. They move fluidly between memory, history, and the present, often communicating through dance and song rather than words. They are protectors, witnesses, and storytellers, never ghosts in the traditional sense. Exceptional dancers with strong vocal harmony required.

---

ENSEMBLE

Seeking dynamic actor-singer-dancers to portray the vibrant people of Bedford-Stuyvesant across generations, including neighbors, activists, church members, barbers, hairstylists, students, commuters, city officials, protestors, developers, and community elders. Strong dance ability is essential, as movement plays a central role in the storytelling. Ensemble members will also help embody historical memory and the collective spirit of the neighborhood throughout the production.

---

Please submit a 32 bar cut of a Jazz, R&B, Gospel, or Musical Theatre song. We really want to see your acting skills and vocal ability. Please submit by AUGUST 5, at 11:59pm

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTvvxu_1LJF7dHM0Wy_17l_7QgJxyGRaF5r2pRI1TwSCxJjw/viewform?usp=publish-editor