Contact: Cynthia Smith: 707.746.1269 or info@beniciatheatregroup.org

Directed by: Terrence Tyrie Ivory

Benicia, CA — The Benicia Theatre Group announces auditions for the Spring 2025 production of Bamboozled which tussles with critical questions around identity, bigotry, and historicity, and confronts the legacy of slavery at this pivotal brink in our nation’s narrative through incisive comedy. Written by distinguished local playwright Patricia Milton, resident playwright at Central Works.

Seize the Spotlight

Last Chance to Audition for Bamboozled!

The stage is set, the spotlight is waiting, and we want YOU! The Benicia Theatre Group is issuing a FINAL CALL for actors to audition for our highly anticipated Spring 2025 production of Bamboozled, written by the brilliant and sharp-witted playwright Patricia Milton.

Under the masterful direction of award-winning Terrence Tyrie Ivory, this bold and thought-provoking comedy tackles issues of identity, bigotry, and the legacy of slavery, all wrapped in Milton’s signature biting humor. This is your opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary—a production that challenges, entertains, and makes history.

AUDITION DETAILS

When: Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM

Where: B.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Benicia

Breakdown:

ABBY HOWARD – Female, African American, 20’s. Desperate but resourceful. An “Antiques Roadtrip” appraiser accused of fraud. Hails from Rialto, California. MOTTO: “Know the Value of Everything, Especially Family.”

SAVANNAH HILL – Female, African American, 30’s-40’s. A suspended attorney working as an administrative assistant. In a long term lesbian partnership. A preacher’s daughter. Tennessee accent. Misused and damn near fed up. MOTTO: “Fit in. Make do. Fuck these people.”

ROCHELLE ASHWORTH – Female, white, 50’s. Ambitious lawyer, fighter, lesbian, originally from Blades, Delaware (the North). Classifies herself as an outsider. Came to Tennessee for love. Dumped, she stays for spite, determined to grow her business. Standard US accent. MOTTO: “No one is innocent.”

OPAL ANNE HATCHETT – Female, white, 50’s-60’s. Old-school Southern matriarch who hosts Civil War re-enactments on her estate. A big-time fan of the 19th century and its values, Opal Anne’s got no patience for white guilt. Tennessee accent. MOTTO: “The South Shall Rise Again.”

All roles available.

Synopsis:

Abby, a young Black antiques appraiser tracing her past, finds herself caught in a legal mess when she’s accused of defrauding a prominent Daughter of the Confederacy out of a fortune in Civil War heirlooms. Set against the backdrop of a KKK rally preventing the removal of a Confederate statue, Abby must also contend with her media-obsessed counsel, and a suspended attorney who might be Abby’s only ally. Can justice truly be served? Inspired by a true story.

WHAT TO PREPARE:

Come ready to command the stage with a 1-2 minute monologue—original or published, your choice!

To confirm your audition, email info@beniciatheatregroup.org or call (707) 746-1269.

About the Play: Why Bamboozled?

This razor-sharp comedy takes audiences on a wildly entertaining ride while tackling America’s complex history of race, identity, and cultural appropriation. Bamboozled is not just a play—it’s a statement, and we need fearless actors to bring it to life.

REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCE DATES

Rehearsals: Begin early to mid-March 2025 (Sun-Wed, 7:00-10:00 PM)

Performance Run: April 18 – May 11, 2025

Showtimes: Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM | Sunday Matinees at 2:00 PM

About Benicia Theatre Group

The mission of Benicia Theatre Group is to promote Community Theatre by providing a wide variety of high-quality theatrical entertainment. We strive to promote training in all aspects of theatre arts allowing aspiring performers and behind-the-scenes volunteers to learn, practice, and perfect their crafts. The Benicia Theatre Group values and actively supports diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our volunteers, actors, and board members.