Detroit area child and adult actors for “Forgotten.”
The Michigan Labor History Society is casting for the jazz opera FORGOTTEN: The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant, performing Oct 10–12, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan!
We’re looking for singers, actors, dancers—kids and adults. Paid roles.
FORGOTTEN – The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant
“Forgotten: The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant” is a 90-minute musical set in the 1930s as workers battled hunger and homelessness while organizing unions. Scenes depict the Ford Hunger March, the Flint sit-down strike, the Battle of the Overpass, and more.
The show is written for nine leads (three women, six men) and nine chorus members.
Historical characters include Rev. Lewis and Ella Bradford, in their mid-40s; Henry and Clara Ford, in their mid-70s; Fr. Charles Coughlin and Harry Bennett, in their mid-40s; and Ford hunger marchers and workers of various ages.The lead, Lewis Bradford, a part-time pastor at Detroit’s Central United Methodist Church, hosts “The Forgotten Man’s Radio Hour,” where jobless workers can tell their story. He also works at Ford’s River Rouge plant, where he advocates for workers’ rights. He was found dead in 1937 on the plant floor, leading to an investigation where, many years later, his death is called a likely homicide.
See the AuditionsFree Theater page for more audition opportunities.
AUDITIONS & CASTING CALL
The Michigan Labor History Society is holding open auditions for the jazz opera FORGOTTEN: The Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant. Performance dates are October 10-12, 2025 at the Marygrove Theater in Detroit, Michigan.
The cast consists of nine principal roles (six male, three female). Adult actors, singers and dancers of all ages will be considered. There are also roles for nine chorus members, and one female child, age 7-10.
FORGOTTEN depicts the efforts of Ford Motor Company employees during the 1930s to join the United Auto Workers, focusing on historical events that took place in and around the Ford Rouge plant. The story is told through the music and lyrics of composer Steve Jones. Director is Elise Bryant. There is a link to audio files of FORGOTTEN music at the YouTube channel Bill Meyer Music.
Audition dates are:
Friday, July 11, 2025 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Saturday, July 12, 2025 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Call-backs will be held on Sunday, July 13 from 3 pm-5pm at the same location.
Auditions will be held at St. Matthew’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 8850 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. (Enter the church parking lot from King Street. Ring bell to gain entrance.) An accompanist will be present.
You may perform your own music selection. Please bring sheet music. Please-NO prerecorded music. Candidates will perform one song and a one-minute monologue of their selection. Call Lynn Marie Smith, 313-320-5956, to schedule an audition time. Walk-ins are also welcome.
These are paid positions. The production is under a Guest Contract with Actors Equity, Equity and non-Equity actors are welcome to audition.
For further audition information, contact Lynn Marie Smith @ 313-320-5946 For questions about audition music contact Bill Meyer @ 313-657-8493
