CALL FOR PLAYS
STAGEBLACK | A Festival of New Plays
February 6-8, 2026
THEME: Family Matters
Spotlighting the collective warmth and excellence that fuel Black and Brown joy.
SUBMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
- 15 minutes or less
- 8 cast members max
- Speak to the warmth and excellence of the Black and Brown Family Unit
Submissions due by November 15, 2025
- 15 minutes or less
- 8 cast members max
- Speak to the warmth and excellence of the Black and Brown Family Unit
Submissions due by November 15, 2025
OAK CLIFF CAROL | AN URBAN GHOST STORY
OAK CLIFF CAROL | AN URBAN GHOST STORY
AUDITION BREAKDOWN
Urban Arts Too, 3200 S Lancaster Rd, Suite 625, Dallas, TX 75216
WHAT TO PREPARE
60 second Urban Comedic Monologue
1-2 minute R&B or Gospel style song (A Capella)
Sign Up For Auditions Here: https://signup.com/go/EGuNVgW
*All Roles Are Compensated
AUDITION BREAKDOWN
Urban Arts Too, 3200 S Lancaster Rd, Suite 625, Dallas, TX 75216
WHAT TO PREPARE
60 second Urban Comedic Monologue
1-2 minute R&B or Gospel style song (A Capella)
Sign Up For Auditions Here: https://signup.com/go/EGuNVgW
*All Roles Are Compensated
Synopsis:
Essence Scrooge, once the lead singer of the hit R&B girl group HoneyRain, has built a booming beauty empire. But her success came at a cost. Now coldhearted and cutthroat, she’s lost touch with her community and compassion. She left behind the cramped beauty shops and community center stages of Oak Cliff for penthouses, power, and profit. She traded her sisters for stockholders and her soul for status.
But on Christmas Eve, the past refuses to stay buried.
When three unexpected visitors pull Essence back into the heart of the neighborhood she’s tried to forget, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of who she was, the reality of who she’s become, and a haunting vision of who she may die as—alone, unloved, and unmourned.
Set against the vibrant, soulful backdrop of Oak Cliff, this modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol is a bold new musical that pulses with gospel fire, R&B heart, and the unbreakable sound of sisterhood. It blends the timeless story of redemption with an urgent conversation about gentrification, ambition, and what we lose when we forget where we came from.
AVAILABLE ROLES
*All Roles Are Compensated
ESSENCE SCROOGE (20-30s, Black woman )
Alto with powerful R&B/pop belt. Founder and CEO of RADIANCE cosmetics
DESTINY WILLIAMS (20-30s, Black woman)
Soprano with pure, haunting tone. Essence's deceased best friend and former HoneyRain member
SHAYLA RICHARDSON (20-30s, woman)
Alto with gospel runs. Surviving member of HoneyRain and Music teacher in Oak Cliff
KEISHA BROOKS (20-30s, Black woman)
Mezzo with powerful belt. Surviving member of HoneyRain and Runs small natural hair care business
MARCUS JOHNSON (20-30s, Black man)
Baritone, Destiny's older brother and Owns Johnson Family Beauty Supply
MRS. ELEANOR JOHNSON / THE WAITRESS (60s, Black woman)
Contralto, gospel singer. Essence's deceased grandmother
THE YOUNG GIRL / HOPE (6-10)
Child Soprano. The unborn daughter Destiny never had.
CARMEN PLATER (20-30s, woman)
Alto. Essence's assistant, later VP of Community Relations. From Oak Cliff, volunteers at community center
PASTOR CHRIS MITCHELL (50s, Black woman)
Tenor, gospel singer. Runs the Oak Cliff Community Center. Former choir director who mentored HoneyRain
VERONICA BROUSSARD (30s-40s, woman)
Essence's publicist and business partner. All business, calculating
ENSEMBLE (15-60s. All races. All vocal types)
Plays various community members
Essence Scrooge, once the lead singer of the hit R&B girl group HoneyRain, has built a booming beauty empire. But her success came at a cost. Now coldhearted and cutthroat, she’s lost touch with her community and compassion. She left behind the cramped beauty shops and community center stages of Oak Cliff for penthouses, power, and profit. She traded her sisters for stockholders and her soul for status.
But on Christmas Eve, the past refuses to stay buried.
When three unexpected visitors pull Essence back into the heart of the neighborhood she’s tried to forget, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of who she was, the reality of who she’s become, and a haunting vision of who she may die as—alone, unloved, and unmourned.
Set against the vibrant, soulful backdrop of Oak Cliff, this modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol is a bold new musical that pulses with gospel fire, R&B heart, and the unbreakable sound of sisterhood. It blends the timeless story of redemption with an urgent conversation about gentrification, ambition, and what we lose when we forget where we came from.
AVAILABLE ROLES
*All Roles Are Compensated
ESSENCE SCROOGE (20-30s, Black woman )
Alto with powerful R&B/pop belt. Founder and CEO of RADIANCE cosmetics
DESTINY WILLIAMS (20-30s, Black woman)
Soprano with pure, haunting tone. Essence's deceased best friend and former HoneyRain member
SHAYLA RICHARDSON (20-30s, woman)
Alto with gospel runs. Surviving member of HoneyRain and Music teacher in Oak Cliff
KEISHA BROOKS (20-30s, Black woman)
Mezzo with powerful belt. Surviving member of HoneyRain and Runs small natural hair care business
MARCUS JOHNSON (20-30s, Black man)
Baritone, Destiny's older brother and Owns Johnson Family Beauty Supply
MRS. ELEANOR JOHNSON / THE WAITRESS (60s, Black woman)
Contralto, gospel singer. Essence's deceased grandmother
THE YOUNG GIRL / HOPE (6-10)
Child Soprano. The unborn daughter Destiny never had.
CARMEN PLATER (20-30s, woman)
Alto. Essence's assistant, later VP of Community Relations. From Oak Cliff, volunteers at community center
PASTOR CHRIS MITCHELL (50s, Black woman)
Tenor, gospel singer. Runs the Oak Cliff Community Center. Former choir director who mentored HoneyRain
VERONICA BROUSSARD (30s-40s, woman)
Essence's publicist and business partner. All business, calculating
ENSEMBLE (15-60s. All races. All vocal types)
Plays various community members
