OCCC seeks 'Young Coalhouse' actor for walk-on role with national tour of 'Ragtime'

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 9, 2015) – Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), in conjunction with Phoenix Entertainment, is searching for a young male actor to portray the role of "Young Coalhouse" in the national tour of "Ragtime" on Sunday, Dec. 13 and Monday, Dec. 14 at the Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater (VPAC), 7777 S. May Ave. 

"Ragtime" is a 13-time Tony Award-nominated musical based on E.L. Doctorow's best-selling 1975 novel. Set in turn-of-the-century New York, "Ragtime" tells the stories of Coalhouse Walker Jr., a daring, young Harlem musician, Mother, the matriarch of a white, upper-class family in New Rochelle, New York, and Tateh, a determined Jewish immigrant from Latvia, all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow.  

This will be the first national touring production to be held in the new, student-funded, 1,000-seat VPAC Theater. Oklahoma City native Jeff Johnson will return to play the role of Booker T. Washington. 

Live auditions will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23 and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in the Bruce Owen Theater at OCCC. Contact Kurt Leftwich at (405) 682-7576 or kurt.d.leftwich@occc.edu for more information.

Young Coalhouse is a young African American boy, ideally around 4 years old, 3'6" tall and 40 pounds. Young Coalhouse should have an "innocent" and "pure" quality about him. In role, Young Coalhouse will be picked up by an adult cast member, sit on a cast member's lap and pretend to play piano. Young Coalhouse will also skip in a circle holding hands with other young actors. 

The actor will need to be accompanied at all times by a chaperone over 18 years of age. Only non-union actors will be considered. Must be able to attend rehearsal and wardrobe fittings on Dec. 13. Full-length front and side photos, and a headshot (if available), will be requested at the audition along with a completed audition card.

"Ragtime" is a family-friendly show for all ages. According to Director/Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge, "This musical is a timeless celebration of life, with story themes of immigration and racial relations that makes it as relevant today as it ever was." 

Tickets prices range from $33.50 to $65.50, available online or at the OCCC box office on the night of the show.

Live auditions scheduled for November 23-24.

The Gayly - 11/10/2015 @ 2:46 p.m. CST