CASTING CALL for the short film SWEET FREEDOM, a pre-Civil War period piece by Emmy Award winning writer/director Alyssa Botelho
Paid: Mixed – Lead roles are paid, supporting and extras are unpaid. Lead roles dayrates are negotiable.
Location: New Bedford MA
Dates: Early November 2023, exact dates TBD
Union status: Both SAG-AFTRA (Microbudget Agreement) and Non-Union

*POLLY JOHNSON – Lead (54, Petite, Afro-Indigenous) Talented confectionist committed to both her culinary craft and aiding runaway slaves. PAID.
*NATHAN JOHNSON (Early 40s, deep black skin) A distinguished, deeply intelligent man who wears his intellect on his sleeve and is committed to helping runaway slaves. PAID.
*PATTY (30s, white) Psychopathic, vulgar slave catcher hunting runaways in New England. PAID.
*RIDGELL (50s, white, BEARDED) Cold, calculating and stoic slave catcher from Georgia hunting runaways in New England. PAID.
*BETSEY GIBSON (Late 30s, Black) Former slave and mother of three girls staying with Polly and Nathan contemplating a risky return trip down South. PAID.
*LEWIS TEMPLE (38, Black) Blacksmith from Virginia. VP of black anti-slavery Union Society. PAID.
RHODA DURFEE (Early-mid 20s, Afro-Indigenous) Polly’s daughter who takes after her mother’s culinary skills. VOLUNTEER.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS (21, Black) The famed abolitionist in his youth. VOLUNTEER.
HELEN GIBSON (17, Mixed race) Betsey’s oldest daughter. A responsible young woman. VOLUNTEER.
JANE GIBSON (12, Mixed race) Betsey’s middle-aged daughter. A lively girl raised in love and peace. VOLUNTEER.
MARGARET (8, Mixed race) Betsey’s youngest daughter. Sweet and energetic little girl. VOLUNTEER.
BENJAMIN RODMAN (45, white) Wealthy abolitionist with connections. VOLUNTEER.
ANNA DOUGLASS (Early 20s, Black) Frederick Douglass’s wife. VOLUNTEER.
CHILD EXTRAS (White, ages 7-12) 3 child extras needed. VOLUNTEER.
ARMED ABOLITIONISTS (Ages 18-50, Black and White) 6 – 10 adult extras needed, majority Black with some White. VOLUNTEER.
PARTY GUESTS (White and black, ages 18-75) 15 – 20 adults, majority White with some Black. VOLUNTEER.