The Footlight Club: A Raisin in the Sun Holding Auditions for 9 Roles - Jamaica Plain, MA

Seeking Talent From: Maine

Union Status: Non-Union

Pay: No pay

Posted: 9/29/2026 Updated: 9/29/2026 Deadline for Submissions: 10/20/2026

Auditions for A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry The Footlight Club (America’s Oldest Community Theater) Director: Juliette McClendon Producer: Faith Imafidon A Raisin in the Sun is a powerful and deeply moving drama by Lorraine Hansberry that follows the Younger family, an African American family living in Chicago, as they struggle to achieve their dreams and build a better future. Set in the 1950s, the play explores themes of family, identity, racism, economic hardship, and the pursuit of opportunity. Both inspiring and thought-provoking, A Raisin in the Sun remains a landmark work of American theater, celebrated for its honest portrayal of hope, resilience, and the quest for dignity in the face of adversity. The Footlight Club is committed to diversity and inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all races and ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, and abilities to audition.

Casting / Shoot Info

Come Visit The Footlight Club - https://www.footlight.org/

Schedule an Audition Time Slot: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4AAAA82FA0FDCF8-66044834-araisin#/
A Raisin in the Sun Audition Sides - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KeyGmWAvl7To9mTWWZz0-72fAJ9Vp-SU

Auditions will be held at The Footlight Club, 7A Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 in the Parker Room on:
- Monday, October 19, 2026, 6:30-9:30pm
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026 7-10pm
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Bring your headshot and resume (if you have it). Audition forms will be emailed out the week prior and/or can be filled out at the Footlight Club.

Callbacks will be held at The Footlight Club Parker Room on Wednesday October 21, 2026, 7-10pm.

Rehearsals will begin the week of Tuesday, November 10, 2026 and run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10pm and Sundays from 6-9pm through Thursday, January 28, 2027.

Tech Week starts Sunday, January 31, 2027 and all actors will be expected to attend rehearsals every night of tech week.

CONFLICTS: Actors will be asked to list those conflicts on our audition form. A great number of conflicts, or conflicts with performances will affect casting decisions.

Tech week: January 31 - February 5, 2027
Performances: February 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20th 2027
Performances Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm
Evening Show Dates: February 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20th 2027
Matinee Show Dates: February 7, 14 and 20th 2027
Strike: February 21, 2027

Location: The Footlight Club, 7A Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Click the role title to submit

Beneatha Younger |Female |African-American |Age: 20–25 |Role Type: Principal

Black, female, early 20’s. Mama’s youngest. Beneatha plans to become a physician at a time in history when neither women nor Black people, and especially not Black women, became doctors. She is forward-thinking and more in line with common Black sentiment of the 1960’s and 1970’s. She is much more concerned with identity, exploration, and self-actualization than having a lot of money or status. Though her family supports her dreams, they are also mystified by Beneatha and her values.

Walter Lee Younger |Male |African-American |Age: 25–35 |Role Type: Principal

Black, male, late 20’s/early 30’s. Mama’s oldest child. Walter Lee is spirited and excitable. He has a tendency to feel misunderstood. He is perceived as impetuous and dramatic by the other characters. He is strongly influenced by prevailing societal messages, and makes it very clear that he believes his perspective is the right one. Walter Lee is the main protagonist of the play, in that his character arc is the most prominent.

Ruth Younger |Female |African-American |Age: 30–39 |Role Type: Principal

Black, female, 30’s. Walter Lee’s wife. She is more traditional than Beneatha but more modern than Mama. She is often a voice of reason and offers a sense of balance. She is direct. She loves Walter Lee, but she can sense that they are disconnected, which pains her. She admires Mama and tries to help her understand her children. She is a present mother. Ruth has modest wants and needs, but usually still keeps them to herself.

Lena Younger (Mama) |Female |African-American |Age: 60–70 |Role Type: Principal

Black, female, 60’s. The Matriarch of the Younger family. She has overcome many obstacles to survive and support her family. Works as a domestic. A woman of deep faith and fairly traditional. Mama is confused by her children and loves them deeply. Enjoys witty banter and teasing.

Travis Younger |Male |African-American |Age: 10–14 |Role Type: Supporting

Black, male, 10-14. Walter Lee and Ruth’s son. He is a typical kid. He represents the future Younger generations, for whom the family’s choices in the present will have the most impact. Each character’s dreams are ultimately for Travis and the generations after him. NOTE: Talent under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s permission to apply and must have a parent or legal guardian on set/studio or event at all times.

George Murchison |Male |African-American |Age: 20–29 |Role Type: Supporting

Black, male, 20’s. George is someone Beneatha is dating, though she is not very interested in him. Traditional, bougie before that word existed, comes from a rich family. George doesn’t take Beneatha very seriously, but he likes her because she keeps things interesting. Pretty boring. Will also play a Moving Man.

Karl Lindner |Male |Caucasian |Age: 20–50 |Role Type: Supporting

White, male, Any age. A member of the homeowner’s association in the white neighborhood where the Youngers are moving. He, like his neighbors, does not want a Black family in his neighborhood because of stereotypes and racist fear. He displays a façade of friendliness, reasonableness and fairness. However, his disdain and unease is right below the surface.

Bobo |Male |African-American |Age: 20–39 |Role Type: Supporting

Black, male, 20’s or 30’s. Walter Lee’s associate, who breaks the news to Walter Lee that his money is gone. Quiet, a bit mousy.

Joseph Asagai |Male |African-American |Age: 25–35 |Role Type: Supporting

Nigerian/Black, male, Late 20’s/early 30’s. Asagai is a classmate of Beneatha’s who engages Beneatha’s interest in her identity as a Black (African American) woman. Asagai is amused by Beneatha but also very interested in how she thinks. He is warm and patient. Beneatha is attracted to Asagai though she resists her feelings. Will likely have a Nigerian accent.