The Color Purple Auditions
Theatre Charlotte is excited to announce auditions for The Color Purple, directed by Corey Mitchell with Choreography by Stacy Dagge and Music Direction by Charlene Thomas. Performances will be held at Theatre Charlotte from May 8 – 24, 2026.
AUDITION AND SIGN UP DETAILS
Auditions will be held in person on Sunday, March 22nd from 6:00pm to 9pm and Monday, March 23rd from 6:30pm-9pm at Theatre Charlotte located at 501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.
Due to the mature themes and content in The Color Purple, all actors must be 16 or older as of May 1st.
Please sign up for an audition time and fill out an audition form here.
During your audition time, you will sing 16 bars or up to one minute of a vocal selection that reflects the character you are auditioning for. An accompanist will be provided and you must bring printed music for your audition, no digital scores. You must also be prepared to learn some choreography and may be asked to read scenes from the script.
Video submissions will be accepted through March 20th and should include a one minute vocal selection and one minute of choreography that reflect the style of the show.
Please note –Elements of intimacy and physical contact are noted in the character descriptions below. Performers who are not comfortable are encouraged to audition for any of the other roles. Discomfort with intimacy will by no means impact future casting decisions by Theatre Charlotte or the creative team.
Theatre Charlotte is a volunteer-based organization and all positions are unpaid.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are typically Sunday through Thursdays from 6pm until 9:30pm. There may be an occasional Saturday rehearsal later in the process.
ABOUT THE COLOR PURPLE
A testament to the healing power of love. The epic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker comes to life in an emotional tour de force musical infused with a soul-stirring score of jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues. Set against the backdrop of the American South in the early 20th century, the story follows the transformative journey of Celie, a young African American woman who courageously navigates a life marked by abuse, separation, and discrimination to discover the strength to break free from oppression and find her own voice. This inspiring show is a triumphant piece of art that reaffirms some fundamental truths: that Black is beautiful, that women are powerful, and that love is love.
AVAILABLE ROLES
Note that ages are recommended by the author and performers should be able to portray the age range of the character. Due to the mature themes and content in The Color Purple, all actors must be 16 or older as of May 1st.
INTIMACY as outlined in the script is disclosed below for each character.
CELIE: African-American, Female presenting, 20s-30s
Drives the story. Vulnerable, spirited, introverted, mischievous, seemingly passive but not, has a deep, hard soul, believes that she is ugly, and has a sense of humor that is sometimes wicked. She is an observer.
Intimacy: Is whipped and beaten by Mister, kissed by Shug
NETTIE: African-American, Female Presenting, 20s-30s
Celie’s younger sister and her rock. Smart, adventurous, driven, and a devoted sister. Attractive, adventuresome, feisty spirit, maternal, more educated and knowledgeable than Celie.
Intimacy: Is beaten and receives physical advances from Mister
PA: African American, Male Presenting, 40s-50s
An abuser and embittered man. He is father to Celie & Nettie, as well as father to Celie’s two children, whom he abducts from Celie and gives away at birth
MISTER: African-American, Male Presenting, 30s-40s.
Like Celie, a deep well. Handsome, big, masculine, strong presence, dominating, capable of brutal behavior but also a victim in his own way. Gets his power for free. Married to Celie, he abuses her. He is in love with Shug. He transforms throughout the play.
HARPO: African-American, Male Presenting, 20s-30s
Mister’s vulnerable, confused, good-hearted son. Represents the new generation. He marries the independent Sofia.
Intimacy: Flirting and teasing with Sofia
SOFIA: African-American, Female Presenting, 20s-40s
Powerful warrior woman. Physically bigger but beautiful. Comfortable being large, great sense of humor, touching, vulnerable. Married to Harpo, she does not let anyone mistreat her.
Intimacy: Staged fight with Squeak, beaten by men, flirting and teasing with Harpo
SHUG: African-American, Female Presenting, 30s-40s
A popular singer, we meet her at death’s door. Attractive, confident, dynamic, powerful, irresistible, but has a frailty, like a wounded animal. Her vulnerability is shocking later on. Both Celie and Mister love her.
Intimacy: Appears in a bathtub, will be staged to suggest to the audience that the actress is nude. Kisses Celie.
DARLENE, DORIS, and JARLENE: African-Americans, Female Presenting, 20s-50s
A trio of busybody types who love to gossip about the people of their town; they comment on the action throughout the show; these are country folk who shimmers with an eternally earthy and spiritual wisdom.
ENSEMBLE: African-Americans, Male and Female Presenting, 20s to 50s
To play the Preacher, field hands, the Church Soloist, Adam, Olivia, Squeak and Grady, Ol’ Mister, townspeople, villagers, and the tribe. Must be strong in vocal and dance.
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Theatre is full of magic that vibrates throughout the essence of art, imagination, culture, and history. We strive to provide theatre to our community and our city that is saturated in excellence, community, experience, inclusion, and influence. Our goal is to mount productions that reflect the growth and beauty of the diversity of Charlotte and we sincerely hope that our friends in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities will consider joining us for auditions for The Color Purple.