The Exonerated
Character Breakdown & Sides
*****PLEASE NOTE: It is the mission of Out of the Box to cast actors outside the restrictions of age, primarily over the age of 50 when possible. Out of the Box Theatre Company embraces diversity and nontraditional casting. Actors of color are strongly encouraged to audition for all roles. Casting by the director will be color blind.*****
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CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS
Males:
DELBERT, African-American, 60+. A seminary dropout, radical and poet. His whole personality is like an old soul song: smooth, mellow and with an underlying rhythm that never lets up. Actor playing Delbert should take care to find his substantial sense of humor, in addition to his obvious depth.(NOTE: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)
ROBERT, African-American, 30s–40s. A former horse groomer from the deep South; hardened but not lacking a sense of humor. Deep rural Mississippi accent. Also plays role of BLACK GUY 2.
GARY, white, 45–55. A Midwestern hippie and an organic farmer. Clearly was in his element in the late ’60 and early ’70s. He is generally good-natured, friendly and quite smart.
KERRY, white, 45–55. A 19-year-old trapped in a 45-year-old’s body, born and bred in Texas. Kerry was imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years and is eager to rediscover the world. Always wants to make sure he connects with whomever he is talking to. Strong Texas accent.
DAVID, African-American, 40–50. A gentle, sad man, born and raised in northern Florida (otherwise known as southern Alabama). Has a very strong spiritual sense and had aspirations to the ministry before being put on death row at 18. He is continually engaged in a battle between resignation and hope. Also plays roles of BLACK COP, BLACK GUY 1 and BLACK INMATE.
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 and 2, both white, 45–60. Male Ensemble 1 and 2 play police officers, attorneys, suspects and other supporting characters. Both actors should be good with dialects and characterization, and different from each other in build and appearance. Both roles require highly versatile, commanding actors. Character assignments as follows (subject to change):
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 plays WHITE COP 1, KERRY’S DEFENSE, SHERIFF CARROLL, JESSE, COURT ATTORNEY, DAVID’S PROSECUTOR, VOICEOVER/INMATE, WHITE GUARD, JEFF, CELLMATE, EX-BOYFRIEND and FARMER.
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 plays WHITE COP 2, KERRY’S PROSECUTION, RHODES, DEPUTY, SOUTHERN WHITE GUY, ROBERT’S JUDGE, DAVID’S DEFENSE, DOYLE and THE PROSECUTION.
Females:
SUNNY, white, 50–60. A bright, pixie-ish yoga teacher from California; her lightness and positivity contrast with moments of great depth and clarity.
GEORGIA/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1, African-American, 30s–40s. Robert’s wife, also Southern; opinionated, outspoken and extremely warm. She and Robert have a lovingly contentious relationship. Loves to speak her mind. Also plays STATE ATTORNEY, KERRY’S JUDGE and DARLA.
SANDRA/SUE/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2, white, 40–50. Sandra is married to Kerry. Sweet, nurturing, loves Kerry dearly and has a great sense of humor about him. She has a strong Texas accent. Sue is married to Gary. Salt of the earth; she is also an organic farmer. She has a strongupper Midwestern accent—think Fargo. Also plays FEMALE LAWYER.
DELBERT, African-American, 60+. A seminary dropout, radical and poet. His whole personality is like an old soul song: smooth, mellow and with an underlying rhythm that never lets up. Actor playing Delbert should take care to find his substantial sense of humor, in addition to his obvious depth.(NOTE: THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)
ROBERT, African-American, 30s–40s. A former horse groomer from the deep South; hardened but not lacking a sense of humor. Deep rural Mississippi accent. Also plays role of BLACK GUY 2.
GARY, white, 45–55. A Midwestern hippie and an organic farmer. Clearly was in his element in the late ’60 and early ’70s. He is generally good-natured, friendly and quite smart.
KERRY, white, 45–55. A 19-year-old trapped in a 45-year-old’s body, born and bred in Texas. Kerry was imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years and is eager to rediscover the world. Always wants to make sure he connects with whomever he is talking to. Strong Texas accent.
DAVID, African-American, 40–50. A gentle, sad man, born and raised in northern Florida (otherwise known as southern Alabama). Has a very strong spiritual sense and had aspirations to the ministry before being put on death row at 18. He is continually engaged in a battle between resignation and hope. Also plays roles of BLACK COP, BLACK GUY 1 and BLACK INMATE.
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 and 2, both white, 45–60. Male Ensemble 1 and 2 play police officers, attorneys, suspects and other supporting characters. Both actors should be good with dialects and characterization, and different from each other in build and appearance. Both roles require highly versatile, commanding actors. Character assignments as follows (subject to change):
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 plays WHITE COP 1, KERRY’S DEFENSE, SHERIFF CARROLL, JESSE, COURT ATTORNEY, DAVID’S PROSECUTOR, VOICEOVER/INMATE, WHITE GUARD, JEFF, CELLMATE, EX-BOYFRIEND and FARMER.
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 plays WHITE COP 2, KERRY’S PROSECUTION, RHODES, DEPUTY, SOUTHERN WHITE GUY, ROBERT’S JUDGE, DAVID’S DEFENSE, DOYLE and THE PROSECUTION.
Females:
SUNNY, white, 50–60. A bright, pixie-ish yoga teacher from California; her lightness and positivity contrast with moments of great depth and clarity.
GEORGIA/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1, African-American, 30s–40s. Robert’s wife, also Southern; opinionated, outspoken and extremely warm. She and Robert have a lovingly contentious relationship. Loves to speak her mind. Also plays STATE ATTORNEY, KERRY’S JUDGE and DARLA.
SANDRA/SUE/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2, white, 40–50. Sandra is married to Kerry. Sweet, nurturing, loves Kerry dearly and has a great sense of humor about him. She has a strong Texas accent. Sue is married to Gary. Salt of the earth; she is also an organic farmer. She has a strongupper Midwestern accent—think Fargo. Also plays FEMALE LAWYER.
SIDES
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David
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Gary
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Georgia
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Kerry
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Prosecution
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Robert
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Sandra/Sue
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Sunny
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