General:
Actors should be in black clothing (tank top, skirt, and soft ballet shoe, for girls; t-shirt, pants, and black shoe for boys)
At least some of the cast members should be particularly animated, and be able to improvise with each other and the audience.
It would be helpful if at least half of the actors are able to sing, and one is able to play the guitar (singers can be sought from the school chorus as well).
The actors should be able to read relatively well, as much of the script is read rather than memorized.
The piece lends itself to wonderful collaboration possibilities; e.g., visual arts department (slides and cardboard props); music department (tune and interpretation of “Homework Blues;” and live drumming); dance department; history department (filling in the gaps), etc. The sky is the limit!
The actors can be male and female, but dancer in the beginning should be female, and actor #3 should be male, if possible.
Suggested Costume Pieces
Soujourner: head wrap, and shawl
Mahalia: choir robe
Billie: fresh gardenia
“Chef” (recipe for jazz segment): over-sized chef’s hat
Props
Cardboard cauldron and ladle, and articles described in recipe for jazz.