Presumed Incompetent
Where: Detroit MI
This casting notice was posted on auditionsfree.com
Type: Theater
Title:
Presumed Incompetent
Plot/Synopsis:
PRESUMED INCOMPETENT IS ESSENTIALLY AN EXPLORATION AND CLOSE 
EXAMINATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN ACADEMIA. BARBARA BARBIER IS A COLLEGE PROFESSOR IN A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. SHE STRUGGLES TO FIND SELFAFFIRMATION, DIGNITY, LOVE AND RESPECT WHILE DEALING WITH OBSTACLES OF RACISM AND DISADVANTAGE IN ACADEMIA. SHE SEEKS TO FIND THE ANSWERS TO HER DEEP-ROOTED FEELINGS OF INTELLECTUAL INFERIORITY AND ACADEMIC INADEQUACY, WHILE TRYING TO BALANCE HER DUBIOUS CAREER WITH A TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH A MAN SHE LOVES, BUT ONLY BECAUSE HE REPRESENTS THE ACCOMPLISHED, RESPECTED AND CONFIDENT SCHOLAR SHE DESIRES TO BE. FOR BARBARA, SELF-FULFILMENT CAN BE AFFIRMED BY ACADEMIA ACCEPTANCE. PAUL (HER LOVER) BELIEVES IN
THE POSSIBILITY OF A LOVE SUPREME: LOVE IS ALL DENICIO NEEDS, AND HIS LOVE FOR HER WILL HEAL AND FIX ALL OF HER PROBLEMS. THIS STORY JOINS THE UBIQUITOUS AND TIMELESS DIALOGUE ON
BLACK INTELLIGENT, THE SUPREMACY OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, AND THE INTELLIGENCE DEBATE – AND ITS POSSIBLE RACIAL/GENETIC IMPLICATIONS.
Rehearsal Location:
Detroit International Center, 111 Kirby, Midtown Detroit (next to DIA)
Available Roles/Character Breakdown:
BARBARA BARBIER: A PROFESSOR AT AN INFLUENTIAL UNIVERSITY. SHE IS THE TOKEN AFRICAN AMERICAN IN A PREDOMINATELY WHITE DEPARTMENT. SHE HAS A SERIOUS INFERIORITY COMPLEX, LACKS
CONFIDENCE, SECOND GUESSES HERSELF, AND CARRIES A GENERAL SENSE OF DEFEAT AND UNCERTAINTY IN HER BODY LANGUAGE. SHE
SUFFERS FROM OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, AND SHE IS OBSESSED WITH HER HAIR, WHICH SHE CONSTANTLY PICKS AND
TWISTS, AND OCCASIONALLY CLIPS ENDS WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS
PAUL MILLER: AN ESTEEMED AND ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSOR. HE IS BARBARA’S ARROGANT, CONFIDENT AND CONDESCENDING BOYFRIEND. HE IS OLDER THAN BARBARA. BARBARA GENERALLY FEELS OVERWHELMED
AND OVERPOWERED BY PAUL’S AGGRESSIVE AND ASSERTIVE DEMEANOR, BUT SHE ALSO ENVIES HIS SENSE OF SELF-REGARD AND ASSUREDNESS
DENICIO BARBIER: BARBARA’S MENTALLY ILL MOTHER. SHE IS A MENTAL PATIENT AT KALAMAZOO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL WHERE SHE IS BEING TREATED FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER, OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
DISORDER AND SCHIZOPHRENIA. YOUNG DENICIO IS LOUD, SLICKTALKING,
GHETTO-ATTITUDE, HIP, TRASH-TALKING STREET-SAVVY STRIPPER/HUSTLER
DR. ASA: (AFRICAN-AMERICAN/CAUCASIAN, MALE/FEMALE) BARBARA’S PSYCHIATRIST
CARA: PAUL’S BEST FRIEND. SHE IS THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF BARBARA: INDEPENDENT, FEMINIST, STRONG-WILLED, FREE-SPIRITED, ARTICULATE, BOLD, CONFIDENT, SASSY, AND SUCCESSFUL IN HER
CAREER. UNLIKE BARBARA, SHE STANDS UP TO PAUL’S BULLYING CONDESCENSION
CYPRIS: (AFRICAN-AMERICAN/CAUCASIAN, 20-30), A STRIPPER. SHE IS PHILIP’S SIDE-GIRL
PHILIP: AFRICAN-AMERICAN, MALE, STREET ATTITUDE, SLICKTALKING HUSTLER, BAD-BOY TYPE. HE IS DENICIO’S LOVER. HE
MISTREATS AND DESPISES DENICIO BECAUSE HE THINKS SHE IS NOTHING MORE THAN A WHORE. HE IS SUSPECTED TO BE BARBARA’S
BIOLOGICAL FATHER. DENICIO IS IN LOVE WITH HIM
RICHARD: AFRICAN-AMERICAN, MALE, MILD-MANNERED, SOMEWHAT OF A STREET HUSTLER, BUT HE’S ALSO COMPASSIONATE AND CARING. HE LOVES DENICIO AND WANTS TO MARRY HER AND BE A FATHER TO HER DAUGHTER (LITTLE BARBARA, WHO IS NEVER SEEN). HE WISHES
BARBARA WOULD LEAVE THE STREETS AND SETTLE DOWN WITH HIM
Compensation:
Some Pay
Payment: Paid
City or Location of call: Detroit MI
Please submit to: deniciobarbier@outlook.com
