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 by appointment: Friday, May 23rd

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).

We are currently casting:

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.

The roles of ISOM, BIG CHARLES, EVERETT “EJ” AND TJ have been cast during an earlier audition.