Auditions in Oakland for Historical Drama about Lincoln

The play may be titled “Three Fifths of a Man,” but only whole men and women should apply.

Open auditions for this original play, about the 1847 Matson Slave Trial when Abraham Lincoln represented a slave owner for the only time in his law career, will be held on July 30 and 31 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbian Building in Oakland Illinois. The building is located at the corner of Pike and Main Streets on the picturesque town square.

All adults over the age of 18 are welcome and no prior experience is needed to audition. One minute prepared auditions are welcome, but not necessary. Tryouts will involve reading from the script written and directed by Dr. David Jorns.

The performance is part of an innovate historical program, Trial & Tribulations, on September 18 and 19 where audience members will informally meet seven of the characters from the trial at two historic sites in Oakland, enjoy an 1847 meal, and attend the performance of this play.

The mostly male cast will portray real people from 1847 highlighting their inner motivations as well as the historical events. Jorns explains, “It’s so unlike the Lincoln we know from school. He is human, a man of his times who struggled with this important moral issue for many years. This Lincoln is more complicated than the myth.”

The program is made possible in part by a grant from the Ruth and Vaughn Jaenike Access to the Arts Outreach Program of the College of Arts & Humanities, Eastern Illinois University.

For more information visit the project’s website http://matson1847.blogspot.com, email at trial.tribulations1847@gmail.com, or call 217-508-9113.