Casting for a Mother role in a Senior Overview Film

Title: They Shared A Meal

Production Dates: March 14-15, 2024

Synopsis: On the eve of Thanksgiving in the 1990s, a city-wide power outage leaves Amari stuck at home with her mother, Kaiya, and grandmother, May, unable to finish their holiday preparations. As the quiet stretches on, old wounds resurface, and Amari finds herself caught in the tense divide between her mother and grandmother as they are forced to confront their unresolved past.

Role Details:

Name: Kaiya
Age: Mid 30’ies
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: African American
Description: Kaiya, a 36-year-old African American woman, exudes confidence and energy in everything she does. A former standout volleyball player, she channels the same drive and discipline into her career and personal life. Despite her outward strength, the emotional distance in her relationship with her mother, May, has left lasting scars. Having given up on reconciliation, Kaiya now focuses on her work as a social worker, using her own healing journey to help others. As a mother to her daughter, Amari, she is deeply committed to creating a nurturing, emotionally open environment.

Required Media: Headshot/Photo, Video Reel

We are currently accepting self-tape submissions for our student film project. Please submit a self-tape to theysharedameal@gmail.com, showcasing your range and emotional depth using material you already have. In your email, please include the role you are auditioning for in the subject line. If selected, you will be invited to attend in-person auditions in St. Louis, Missouri. Invitations for in-person auditions will be sent by February 17th.

Additional Information: This is an unpaid project for a senior thesis film at Webster University. While there’s no financial compensation, this is an excellent opportunity for experienced actors to collaborate on a professional set. The film will be submitted to festivals and showcased at the university’s senior film showcase in May of 2025. Meals and snacks will be provided, and you’ll receive a copy of the final film for your reel.

Audition Dates: TBA
Location: First round Online Auditions, second round TBA
Deadline for Submissions: February 17th, 2025
We look forward to seeing your submissions and bringing this powerful family drama to life!