WILL HOLLOMAN, 15 years old, Black, Male. The protagonist of the show, Will is eager to prove himself and be as tough and cool as his older brother, but he’s still just a kid. He feels deeply for the people he cares about and loves language and wordplay. Strong dancer, like Moose from “Step Up”. Music: Alto-Tenor, needs to be able to break into Michael Jackson style of singing (for one particular song moment), needs to have the ability to oscillate between spoken-word/free-verse and double-time rap (reference: Kendrick Lamar “For Free (interlude), Big Sean - “All Me” lines after ‘see what I’m saying, no closed caption…”)
SHAWN HOLLOMAN, 19 years old, Black, Male, Will's older Brother. Shows a tough exterior and wants to appear like he knows a lot about the world. Cares about his younger brother and the influence he has on him. Must be a strong dancer, think old school Omarion. Music: Tenor, singing ability to make rawness pretty (Singing Reference: Bilal); Rap Reference: energy of 2Pac and authority of 2Pac/J. Cole
SHARI HOLLOMAN, late 30's/early 40's, Black, Female, Will and Shawn's mother. Deeply loving and protective, she has seen a lot of grief in her life and wants her sons to be safe and spared from trauma and violence. Dances like water. Music: Alto, vocally raw and full (Singing reference: Nina Simone; rap reference: Queen Latifah, MC Lyte)
MIKE HOLLOMAN, late 30's/early 40's, Black, Male, Will and Shawn's father. Likes to joke and has a big personality. A big influence on both of his sons but regrets that he wasn’t able to be there for them for so much of their lives. Dances like Pop Locking in a soul train line. Music: Tenor-Baritone, must have the ability to sing in the style of Michael Jackson (for one particular song moment), can pull off soulful and tender (singing reference: Marvin Gaye); Rap reference: Authority/Gravitas of Scarface
BUCK, Mid 20's, Black, transgender or gender nonconforming, masculine, Shawn's friend/mentor figure. An older sibling type, Buck is young, but still has a maturity and ability to take up and hold space in a room. Must be a strong rapper and singer. Dances like Stomp the Yard. Powerful, but controlled and graceful. Music: Tenor, Rap Reference: Notorious B.I.G. (Flow not tone)
DANI, 16 years old, Black, Female, Will's first girlfriend. Honest and direct, but a romantic at heart. Strong dancer and singer. Dances like Kaelynn Harris. Music: Soprano-Alto, Rap Reference: Little Simz (without the accent)
UNCLE MARK, early-mid 40's, Black, Male, Will and Shawn's Uncle, Mike’s brother. A cool artist type with an older, more mature energy. Takes up and holds space. Dances like old skool LA. Music: Baritone, Strong powerful singing voice (singing reference: Luther Vandross); needs the ability to occupy rap styles of Nas and Slick Rick
FRICK, late teens, Black (light-skinned), Male, a member of the rival gang, The Dark Suns. Must be a strong dancer and physical performer. Think Krump/Tommy the Clown energy. Music: Alto-Tenor, Light singing voice (Singing Reference: The Weeknd); conversational but rhythmic flow (ref. Mac Miller) with the ability to perform the choppiness of Jay-Z (ref: Mya’s “The Best of Me” Remix)