TMOC THE MINISTRY OF CREATIVTY
“Only God Can Change Me”: The Musical Stage Play
Audition Location: Sugar Land Branch Library, Sugar Land Texas
Type: Theater
ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE ME
THE GOSPEL MUSICAL Stage Play
“Only God Can Change Me” focuses on the dark secret that grips the dysfunctional Shepherd family, specifically exploring the relationship between the matriarch, her children, and the tragic consequences when one family member succumbs to dependency. The matriarch turns to God, believing faith is the only answer to their struggle.
This is a powerful and relatable account of the Shepherd family’s battle against the ravages of addiction. Each member—whether the matriarch, the dependent family member, the peacemaker, the dreamer, the troublemaker, or the glue that holds everyone together—plays a distinct role. The story highlights the family’s powerful faith and potential for redemption. As one commentator put it, regardless of your role in your own family, you’ll feel right at home with the Shepherds.
Characters:
There are compensation and non-compensation roles. A contractual agreement will be shared and signed after you are offered a role in the play and before rehearsals begin.
CHARLENE (54): Character acting age range: 40-60, singing role. The matriarch, wife of Frank Shepard, and mother to Felicia, Lisa, and Lee, as well as grandmother to Chantel. A very spiritual, strong Black woman and caring disciplinarian, she is a homemaker who struggles with failing health due to a heart problem and stress. The love she has for her family and the Lord is evident on her face.
FRANK (56): Character acting age range: 40-60. The patriarch of the family and husband to Charlene. The father of Felicia, Lisa, and Lee, and grandfather to Chantel. A hard worker who struggles with alcohol, is currently unemployed, and bitter about his life. He is hot-tempered and uses force to discipline, making him an unstable father figure. Bitterness has affected his appearance.
FELICIA (30): Character acting age range: 24-40, singing role. The oldest child of Charlene and Frank, sister to Lisa and Lee, and married to Tony Washington, with a young daughter named Chantel—a gentle person who lovingly interacts with her family, especially her husband, Tony. Strong and bold, she shows a caring, mature love for all family members and works at the local community center as a counselor.
TONY (32): Character acting age range: 24-40—the husband of Felicia and father to Chantel. Affectionate toward Felicia, he is a God-fearing man who delivers the word of God with boldness and confidence. Not afraid to offer touch, hugs, or comfort, he displays a great sense of humor and works as an assistant director in the community development relations department at City Hall.
CHANTEL (10): Character acting age range: 8-12. A mischievous child, daughter of Felicia and Tony. Full of energy, she loves fun and learning but has a smart mouth. Influenced by her parents and grandmother, she is growing in the spirit of the Lord.
LEE (17): Character acting age range: 15-24, singing role. The middle child of Charlene and Frank, and their only son. Disrespectful toward family and friends, especially his father, he quits school because he believes it to be for “fools and idiots.” An angry young Black man, he risks falling in with a bad crowd and becoming a wannabe street thug. Throughout the play, he evolves into a more sensitive individual who learns to experience love, joy, and happiness.
LISA (15): Character acting age range: 15-24, singing role. The youngest child of Charlene and Frank. She becomes a drug addict and struggles emotionally to cope with problems. Though she is in school, the instability of her home life leads to disillusionment with learning. Throughout the play, she evolves into a positive, uplifting, and encouraging person.
AUNT GRACY (58): Character acting age range: 40-60, singing role. Charlene’s older sister is a church-going widow with ample wealth who dresses accordingly. She is very close to her sister but holds hostility toward Frank.
JUDY (11): Character acting age range: 8-12. A neighborhood kid known for sticky fingers was often found at Charlene and Frank’s home. She is a friend of Chantel.
ANGIE (58): Character acting age range: 30-38—a friend of Aunt Gracy and the Shepard family who displays humor with a childlike quality. Angie is also a widow.
MRS. GREEN (53): Character acting age range: 30-58, can be played by any ethnicity. Charlene’s next-door neighbor is a close family friend—a widow whose husband died in an industrial accident at work.
PASTOR TODD: The man of God who serves as a pastor to Charlene, Aunt Gracy, and the Shepard family, bringing Lee into a relationship with the Lord.
SANDRA: Lee’s out-of-town girlfriend who has a conversation with him on the phone.
DR. McCoy: Felicia’s doctor.
BENNIE EARL: Lee’s thug friend is involved in a shooting.
MELVIN: The mailman and a family friend.
POLICE OFFICER #1 & #2: Additional characters as needed.
If you need any further adjustments or additional information,
Submission Instructions
Address: 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, Texas
Date: October 11, 2025
Time:11 AM to 2 PM
What to Prepare:
Two short monologues (1-2 minutes each).
A song (16-32 bars) that showcases your vocal style and connects to the themes of the play if you are auditioning for a singing role. We have both singing and non-singing roles available.
Please be prepared to stay for one hour, during which we will also be reading excerpts from the script.
Email for Submissions (Will be used for talent submissions)
t.m.o.c.210@gmail.com
Payment: Unpaid
Submit By: 09/05/2025 8:00 PM
