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About a third of Northwest School of the Arts students who auditioned for the school’s production of Oprah Winfrey’s Broadway version of “The Color Purple” were cast for the performance next month. The school is the first in the state and the second in the country to get permission by Theatrical Rights Worldwide to do a fully staged production of the show.
NWSA held one audition with two call-backs; half were called back the second time. The 32 cast members are Ariel Blake, Javontre Booker, Britany Bowens, Erin Brathwaite, Brianna Cleggett, Jeremy Cousar, M'chaela Edwards, Malia English, Eric Figuroa, Damond Garner, Danielle Hopkins, Jordan Ingram, Brennen Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Phillip Johnson, Mekhai Lee, Shay'leah McCord, Ishmael Muhammad, Monica Nyenken, Lauren Pearson, Joneka Percentie, Matt Pitts, Roderick Pitts-Phifer, Nyla Sampson, Hank Santos, Emani Sledge, Keston Steel, Clayton Stephenson III, Shakaya Stewart, Rakirion Stinson, Tamara Timbers and Jadon White.
The musical, which will be performed Sept. 14-16 at CPCC’s Dale F. Halton Theatre, has taken extensive planning, from director Corey Mitchell studying its progression at the Lincoln Center in New York City to former Broadway cast members offering input and aid.
