Academy Award nominated director Ava DuVernay has launched a national talent search seeking five lead roles for the Netflix project “Central Park Five.” The project is a five-episode limited series about a group of young men – four black and one Hispanic – who were wrongfully convicted of brutally raping a jogger in 1989. Their confessions were coerced, as was later confirmed, but they spent 6 to 13 years in prison.
Ava DuVernay, who describes the project as a five-hour film, will also write and executive produce. Also executive producing are two-time Academy Award nominee Oprah Winfrey, two-time Christopher Awards winner Jonathan King, along with Primetime Emmy Award nominees Jane Rosenthal, Jeff Skoll, and Berry Welsh. DuVernay is also reuniting with her “Selma” and “Middle of Nowhere” cinematographer Bradford Young.
DuVernay has stated that each hour of the series will focus on one of the five men convicted, “Each boy is the center for an hour, so they each get their own hour as the film is progressing. So the case is progressing but each hour another boy is more prominent until you get to the fifth boy at the end.”
Netflix “Central Park Five” Talent Search Details
Shooting on this project will begin in July, 2018 in New York City. All talent must have legal eligibility to work in the entertainment industry in New York and in the United States.
The following lead roles are being cast through this open talent search:
ANTRON “TRON” McCRAY – Male, 15, African American. Small in stature and wirey. Approx. 4’11” and 90 lbs. Described as somewhat timid and non-aggressive – the type of teen who does his chores and is home by curfew.
KEVIN RICHARDSON – Male, 14, African American. Baby-face type, with a chunky yet athletic build. A polite teen with interests in music and Jazz.
KOREY WISE – Male, 16, 5’2″ African American. A tender but tough ease to him.
YUSEF SALAAM – Male, 15, African American. Nerdy and cool. An A.P. (advanced placement) student. Strikingly tall and beanpole thin, 6’3″ tall.
RAYMOND SANTANA – Male, 14, Mixed ethnicity of Puerto Rican and African American. Described as having an open quality in personality of humor and play.
If you fit one of the above characters and are interested and available beginning in July, please submit the following:
-Recent Color Photo (scanned or “selfie” photos are acceptable if you do not have professional headshots).
-Resume (if available)
-City & State where you reside.
-Contact Information.
Email your submission to: CENTRALPARKFIVECASTING@GMAIL.COM
Deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 25, 2018.
