FREDERICK!
The Frederick Douglass Musical
OPEN AUDITIONS
Auditions: September 28–29, 2026 3pm - 8pm
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
Room 200 — use the 123 State Street entrance
Milwaukee, WI
Performances: February 11–12, 2027
2 Student Matinees & 2 Public Evening Performances
Created and Directed by Ja’Rahn Leveston with Gregory Lathe
Created in Milwaukee, WI, Frederick! The Frederick Douglass Musical is a new musical adapted from the writings of Frederick Douglass, bringing one of America’s most extraordinary stories of freedom, resilience, and courage to the stage through the innovative sounds of Black American music, including rap, hip-hop, soul, and R&B.
A fast-paced, ensemble-driven musical, Frederick! features singing, rap, dance, and storytelling throughout.
SYNOPSIS
As a group of high school drama students prepares to tell the story of Frederick Douglass, they begin to discover that the struggles, choices, and questions faced by Douglass—and the people who shaped his life—aren’t confined to the pages of history.
The musical follows Frederick from the brutal realities of slavery through his pursuit of literacy and freedom and into his emergence as one of the most powerful voices for justice in American history. Along the way, we encounter the strength of his mother, the partnership of his wife Anna, and the remarkable relationships that helped shape his journey.
But Frederick! is ultimately more than a story about the past. As the young actors step into the lives of those who came before them, they begin to wrestle with their own questions of purpose, freedom, courage, and the power of finding their voice.
KEY ROLES
Several key roles are available for this production. The role of Frederick is portrayed at different stages of his life, from a young boy discovering the power of literacy to the extraordinary orator and leader he would become.
Rosetta Douglass, Frederick and Anna’s oldest daughter, serves as a primary storyteller throughout the musical, guiding audiences through her father’s story. Anna Murray Douglass, Frederick’s wife, is a powerful role in her own right—determined, intelligent, loving, and resourceful, she is an essential part of Frederick’s journey and his pursuit of freedom.
The production also features significant historical figures, including President Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony, whose relationships with Frederick help illuminate his growing influence and the broader struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.
Geared toward student and adult audiences, Frederick! is an energetic, ensemble-driven production that welcomes versatile actors of varied experience and performance backgrounds. Performers with strengths in acting, singing, rap, and dance are encouraged to audition.
Paid roles are available based on qualifications and role.