The Civil War

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

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Non-singing role available:

Abraham Lincoln: Off-stage voice only, with just about 200 words total in 1 or 2 monologues. Appearance is less important than vocal quality and ability to simulate Lincoln's Kentucky/Indiana/Illinois accent.

Singing roles available:

Indicated age ranges describe optimums, for appearance and vocal quality, but are open to creative interpretation. The only singing role for which there is a definite age is Frederick Douglass, who, as a real historical figure, is known to have been 42-43 at the start of the Civil War. Other roles that are grouped below, without a space between them, should generally at least appear pair-wise similar in age.

Most of the leads need to have well-trained voices that can comfortably cover a 2-octave range or more, as indicated below. (To clarify which octaves are indicated, see Wikipedia entry on Scientific Pitch Notation). Lochran, Pierce, Sarah, and Bessie have the most solo/duet songs (approx. 3 or 4 each). Clayton, Frederick Douglass, Harriet, Benjamin, and Union and Southern Captains each having 2 pieces in which they sing major solo or duet parts. The other leads sing at most one solo piece each, although they also sing isolated short solo lines in ensemble pieces.

Lochran: Age 22-35 Baritone (B2-G4)

Pierce: Age 22-35 Tenor (B2-B4, a full 2 octaves)

Sarah: Age 22-35 Alto/mezzo-soprano (F3-E5) (almost a full 2 octaves)

Bill: Age 22-35 Tenor (A2 – B♭4) (Just over 2 octaves!)

Union Captain: Age 35-50 Tenor (B2 - B4, a full 2 octaves)

Southern Captain: Age 35-50 Baritone (G2 - G4, a full 2 octaves)

Sam Taylor: Age 16-25 Baritone (B2-A4 almost a full 2 octaves)

Nathaniel Taylor: Age 16-25 Tenor (D3-C5', almost a full 2 octaves)

Woman 1: Age 16-35 Mezzo soprano (D4-D5)

Additional soldiers: Ages 16-30 [baritones and tenors up to C5, in up to 3 parts; 9 named roles]

Additional nurses and Southern belles: Ages 16-30 [mixed female ranges, in up to 3-part harmony]

Slaves/Ex-slaves (Note: color-blind casting will not be possible for the following roles):

Frederick Douglass: Age 42-45 Tenor (D3-B4)

Clayton Toler: Age 20-40 Bass (E2-F#4, more than 2 octaves)

Bessie Toler: Age 20-40 Soprano (F#3-B5, 2½ octaves !!)

Harriet: Age above 40 Coloratura soprano (A♭3-E♭6 , 2½ octaves!!)

Benjamin: Age 16-30 Tenor (C3-A4, almost 2 octaves)

Exter: Age 16-30 Tenor (F#3-A4, just a bit more than 1 octave)

Slave Ensemble: Ages 16 and up [all vocal ranges, singing in up to 9-part harmony!]

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