The Exonerated
You may have heard about a play the church will produce this fall. We have spoken only in passing about this event until now, because details and information about the production were sketchy. Now we can announce that the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga will produce The Exonerated October 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
The play is the gripping true story of six inmates on death row who, in the face of new evidence, are exonerated before their executions. It is a powerful show because the stories are personal and told by the inmates themselves with flashbacks from their past.
We have an angel who is sponsoring the show and we have the support of the Tennessee Coalition for the Abolition of State Killing. At this early date, we have high hopes for this production as a way to make a name for ourselves and as a fund raiser, too.
Unitarian Universalist churches in the Memphis area, in Nashville and in Oak Ridge have expressed an interest in hosting our production, so the show might travel. We also have strong interest from UTC and a group in Sewanee. The option of travel depends on many factors, the foremost being the availability of actors. All travel dates and arrangements are TBA.
There is much to be done and everyone can help. We will post a list of people who are in charge of various aspects of the production. When they call on you, please give them your support.
Auditions for The Exonerated will be held August 28th and 29th at 7:00 pm at the church. Everyone is invited. This is "our" production and the casting director would like to use as many church members as possible. A description of characters is included below. If you have questions about the show or about auditions, Kate Briere has the answers.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Delbert–African-American, 50. A seminary dropout, radical and poet
Sunny–White, 50. A mom, positive with great depth and clarity.
Robert–African-American, 30. Former horse groomer from Mississippi, sense of humor.
Gary–White,45. Hippie from the Midwest. Organic farmer, good natured, friendly, smart.
Kerry–White, 45. Texan, imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years. Connects with whomever he is talking to.
David–African-American, 40. Had aspirations to the ministry. Gentle, sad, in a battle between resignation and hope.
Georgia/Ensemble–African American, 30. Robert’s wife, southern, opinionated, loves to speake her mind.
Sandra/ Ensemble–White, 40. Kerry’s wife, sweet, nurturing.
Sue–White, 40. Gary’s wife, salt of the earth with a strong midwestern accent.
Male Ensemble 1 and 2–White and 35-50. Both play police officers, attorneys, suspects and other supporting characters.
