The C.A. Lyons Project
Full Length Play, Drama / 4m, 5f
"[The C.A. Lyons Project] can take your breath away." - Atlanta In Town
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Cast Size
4m, 5fDuration
75 MinutesSubgenre
BiographyAccolades
KendedaTarget Audience
- Adult
Additional Info
Set during Winter in the early 1980’s Winter on Chicago’s South Side, The C. A. Lyons Project tells the story of Amnadla Sister Afrika, a traditional Afrikan dancer; Bethlehem, a classically trained ballerina; and Chaos Unit/Chris Cross, a "space cadet" who does “her own thing”. They are muses to popular choreographer C. A. Lyons, who is dying.
C. A. abruptly leaves the company to fulfill a promise to Clyde "Pretty Boy" Wylie, his lover. Months later, he returns from Paris with signs of Karposi’s Sarcoma, and with Clyde’s ashes. Unable to hide either his sexual identity or GRID any longer, Lyons must face his mortality. If his fledgling company and his fragile muses are to survive, each must face her destiny.
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C. A. abruptly leaves the company to fulfill a promise to Clyde "Pretty Boy" Wylie, his lover. Months later, he returns from Paris with signs of Karposi’s Sarcoma, and with Clyde’s ashes. Unable to hide either his sexual identity or GRID any longer, Lyons must face his mortality. If his fledgling company and his fragile muses are to survive, each must face her destiny.
Accolades
- WINNER! 2014-2015 Alliance/Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Award
Videos
Keywords
Black issues, Death, Friendship, Illness/Health, LGBT issues, Love, Memory, Economic/Financial Issues, Disability, Theatre/Entertainment IndustryConsiderations
Performing Groups
- College Theatre / Student
- Professional Theatre
Cautions
- Alcohol
- Strong Language
- Mild Adult Themes
License details
- Minimum Fee: $90 per performance
Production
Details
- Time Period: 1980s
- Duration: 75 Minutes
- Setting: Chicago, winter in the early 1980s
- Additional Features: No intermission, Play w/ Music
- Features / Contains: Period Costumes
Casting
4m, 5f
AMANDLA SISTER AFRIKA né AMY KENT – Dancing role Afrocentric dancer who leads the company in CA's absence. Mid to late 30s
BETHLEHEM "BETH" DUNNING – Dancing/signing role Classically trained ballerina. Mid to late 20s
CHAOS UNIT né CHRISTINE CROSS – Dancing role Tattooed and pierced, gender neutral. 15 - 18 years old
ROSETTA “ROSE” KENT – Non-dancing role/movement Amy "Amandla/Sister Afrika" Kent’s adoptive mother. Mid 50s
GRACIOUS DUNNING – Non-dancing role/movement Bethlehem's mother, deaf. Early 40s
C. A. (CAL) LYONS JR – Dancing role, Black male Founder, artistic director, choreographer, The New Black Dance Company late 30s
CLYDE "PRETTY BOY" WYLIE – Dancing role, Black male 20s CA's lover
ATTY. RICHARD KENT* – Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Sister Afrika's adoptive father.
STAN CROSS* – Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Chaos Unit's father
COMPANY MEMBER** – Dancing role. Male or female. 20+ Proficient in ASL or signed English
GRACIOUS DOCTOR/ CLINIC ADMINISTRATOR – Non-dancing/movement VO/OS
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BETHLEHEM "BETH" DUNNING – Dancing/signing role Classically trained ballerina. Mid to late 20s
CHAOS UNIT né CHRISTINE CROSS – Dancing role Tattooed and pierced, gender neutral. 15 - 18 years old
ROSETTA “ROSE” KENT – Non-dancing role/movement Amy "Amandla/Sister Afrika" Kent’s adoptive mother. Mid 50s
GRACIOUS DUNNING – Non-dancing role/movement Bethlehem's mother, deaf. Early 40s
C. A. (CAL) LYONS JR – Dancing role, Black male Founder, artistic director, choreographer, The New Black Dance Company late 30s
CLYDE "PRETTY BOY" WYLIE – Dancing role, Black male 20s CA's lover
ATTY. RICHARD KENT* – Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Sister Afrika's adoptive father.
STAN CROSS* – Non-dancing role/movement. Black male, mid 50s Chaos Unit's father
COMPANY MEMBER** – Dancing role. Male or female. 20+ Proficient in ASL or signed English
GRACIOUS DOCTOR/ CLINIC ADMINISTRATOR – Non-dancing/movement VO/OS
Cast Attributes
- Role(s) for Black Actor(s)
- Non-Traditional casting
- Reduced casting (Doubling Possible)
Casting Notes
An actress who is deaf plays the role of GRACIOUS DUNNING.
A working knowledge of or interpreter trained actor who is adept in American Sign Language or signed English a PLUS and may eliminate need for COMPANY MEMBER.
All actors have dance/movement skills.
Resources
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Authors
The C. A Lyons Project premiered at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA in February 2015 under the direction of Kent Gash.
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