Auditions

As a part of our 2025-26 season, NCTC is proud to announce non-AEA auditions for

THE HOT WING KING

By Katori Hall

Directed by ShawnJ West

It’s time for the annual Hot Wang Festival down in Memphis, Tennessee, and CORDELL CRUTCHFIELD is determined to take this year’s hot wing crown. Supported by his beau DWAYNE, and their culinary clique the New Wing Order which includes friends ISOM and BIG CHARLES, Cordell is marinating, and firing up the frying pan in a bid to claim the hot wing king crown. But when a family incident forces Dwayne to take in his nephew EVERETT (EJ), the weekend gets side-tracked, as the newly legitimized couple comes to terms with a new definition of family.

AUDITIONS: Saturday, April 12 (11am-4pm)

CALLBACKS: Sunday, April 13 (11am-4pm)

Please visit the HWK Audition Folder (script, calendar, audition materials)

Rehearsals begin: August 16, 2025

Performance run: September 19 – October 19, 2025

Pay is $3345 inclusive of rehearsals and performances.

TO AUDITION

Please fill out this audition form to request a time slot: HWK AUDITION FORM

All characters in this play identify as African-American and queer, with the exception of EVERETT “EJ” and TJ (who do not identify as queer).

CORDELL (40s) — head chef of the clique. Recently emerged from the closet to cohabitate

with Dwayne. In a not-so-former life, had a wife and 2 kids. Sings in the choir. Athletic and charming.

DWAYNE (40s) — might not be the head chef, but is the head of the household. Holds Cordell

and everyone down. Has been a mentor to his struggling nephew for years. Holds resentment

towards Cordell for taking so long to legitimize their relationship. Sings in the choir. Manager at a local hotel.

ISOM (30s) — new friend. Playlist includes gospel and trap and that’s exactly how he talks.

Met Cordell and Dwayne at chuuch. Sings in the choir. Younger than the rest of the group, but no less a part of it.

BIG CHARLES (40s) — old friend. Met Cordell and Dwayne at the barber shop. Observant, laid-back. The Rock. Sings in the choir. Physically imposing.

EVERETT “EJ” (16) — Dwayne’s nephew. In need of guidance and a new home.

TJ (35) — Everett’s father. A long-time dealer who is “about that life” Struggles with teaching

his son how to be a man, but unsure if Cordell and Dwayne can be good father figures to his son.