Sycamore Rouge, Petersburg’s professional theatre for the community, will be holding auditions for Read∙y for Right, a new play depicting the story of the first civil rights protest in Petersburg, VA. Auditions will be held at Sycamore Rouge, at 21 W. Old Street, on September 5 from 6:00-9:00pm, and September 6, from 10:00am-5:00pm. Director kb saine seeks 14 African American and Caucasian actors and actresses, ages 18-50, to play various roles.

The production dates will run October 17 through November 8, with rehearsals beginning September 10. Interested auditionees should call kb saine at 804-957-5707 x106 to schedule an audition time. All roles are paid.

“This project is going to be huge,” says director and playwright kb saine. “This play not only reveals a crucial time in Petersburg’s history, but it’s a chance for us here at Sycamore Rouge to really involve the whole community.”

Saine is looking for professional actors to fill the main roles, but says there are many opportunities for community members to be a part of the production. She hopes that community members who want to learn about acting and theatre will audition for ensemble roles.

“We’ve got to have a lot of people on stage. Hundreds of people were involved in this story, and I’m hoping that we’ll have some local volunteers who want to play protesters and press members. It’s a great chance for us to involve everyone,” says saine.

Read∙y for Right tells the story of Reverends Wyatt Tee Walker and RG Williams, and the students who joined them to protest the segregation of The Petersburg Public Library in 1960. Characters in the play include real-life Petersburg community members audiences will recognize, including Walker, Williams, Dr. Milton Reid, Sandra Walker Howell, Lillian Ride, and Virginius Thornton, among many others.

For more information about Sycamore Rouge’s programs and events, log on to www.sycamorerouge.org, or call the Box Office directly at 804-957-5707.