The C.A. Lyons Project
by Tsehaye Geralyn Hebert

Highlights

Female

Male

75 mins 1980s Role(s) for Black Actor(s) Reduced Casting (Doubling Possible) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Synopsis

Set during Winter in the early 1980’s Winter on Chicago’s South Side, The C. A. Lyons Project tells the story of Amnadla Sister Afrika, a traditional Afrikan dancer; Bethlehem, a classically trained ballerina; and Chaos Unit/Chris Cross, a "space cadet" who does “her own thing”.

They are muses to popular choreographer C. A. Lyons, who is dying.

C. A. abruptly leaves the company to fulfill a promise to Clyde "Pretty Boy" Wylie, his lover.

Months later, he returns from Paris with signs of Karposi’s Sarcoma, and with Clyde’s ashes.

Unable to hide either his sexual identity or GRID any longer, Lyons must face his mortality.

If his fledgling company and his fragile muses are to survive, each must face her destiny.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Bethlehem "Beth" Dunning Dancing/signing role Classically trained ballerina. Mid to late 20s	—	20s	Dancing/signing role Classically trained ballerina. Mid to late 20s
Chaos Unit Né Christine Cross Dancing role Tattooed and pierced, gender neutral. 15 - 18 years old	—	15-18	Dancing role Tattooed and pierced, gender neutral. 15 - 18 years old
Rosetta “Rose” Kent Non-dancing role/movement Amy "Amandla/Sister Afrika" Kent’s adoptive mother. Mid 50s	female	50s	Non-dancing role/movement Amy "Amandla/Sister Afrika" Kent’s adoptive mother. Mid 50s
Gracious Dunning Non-dancing role/movement Bethlehem's mother, deaf. Early 40s	female	40s	Non-dancing role/movement Bethlehem's mother, deaf. Early 40s
C. A. (Cal) Lyons Jr Dancing role, Black male Founder, artistic director, choreographer, The New Black Dance Company late 30s	male	30s	Dancing role, Black male Founder, artistic director, choreographer, The New Black Dance Company late 30s
Clyde "Pretty Boy" Wylie Dancing role, Black male 20s CA's lover	male	20s	Dancing role, Black male 20s CA's lover
Atty. Richard Kent* Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Sister Afrika's adoptive father.	female	50s	Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Sister Afrika's adoptive father.
Stan Cross* Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Chaos Unit's father	male	50s	Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Chaos Unit's father
Company Member** Dancing role. Male or female. 20+ Proficient in ASL or signed English	female	—	Dancing role. Male or female. 20+ Proficient in ASL or signed English
Gracious Doctor/ Clinic Administrator Non-dancing/movement VO/OS	—	—	Non-dancing/movement VO/OS
Amandla Sister Afrika Né Amy Kent Dancing role Afrocentric dancer who leads the company in CA's absence. Mid to late 30s	—	30s	Dancing role Afrocentric dancer who leads the company in CA's absence. Mid to late 30s