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Call for Experienced Voice Actors 

Persons Of Interest – Audio Dramas  

Vanitas Arts are  producing 4 Audio Dramas focusing on the extraordinary lives of Josephine Baker,  Ken ‘ Snakehips’ Johnson, Gladys Bentley and Ada ‘Bricktop’ Smith.

We are looking for Voice Actors with a strong ear and talent for Black African -American accents.

These stories of Black Queer Artists span the jazz era’s of 1920’s - 1950’s with voices from New York, Chicago and the clip tones of the BBC via Guyana. 


The audio dramas  will be shared on digital platforms. 

Payment terms -  ITC recommend rates of pay for Actors 


​Character's Bios

Gladys Bentley 
Age range -  30 - 40 
Gladys was an extraordinary entertainer and a drag king - she was from Philadelphia then went to Harlem - As a singer, Bentley became known for a deep, growling voice and a trumpet-like scat. 

Here’s a great article about her! ://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/great-blues-singer-gladys-bentley-broke-rules-180971708/


Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson
Age  - Approx 25
Ken was the Swing Band Leader of the West Indian Dance Orchestra in the 1930’s - 1940’s London. 
It was said…”The band's signature tune, similar to the Coronation Street theme, was followed by an announcer, speaking in the clipped tones of the BBC: He was described as  “…his accent tinged with Harlem, proclaiming the first number "a real killer- diller!”


Josephine Baker 
Age Range - 20 - 40
Josephine Baker was born in Missouri St Louis 
Here’s what was written about her… Baker was celebrated by artists and intellectuals of the era, who variously dubbed her the "Black Venus", the "Black Pearl", the "Bronze Venus", and the "Creole Goddess”. Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker 


Ada ‘ Bricktop’ Smith  
Age Range - 40
Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria, Louise, Virginia ,Smith, better known as Bricktop, was an American dancer, jazz singer, vaudevillian, and self-described saloon-keeper who owned the nightclub Chez Bricktop in Paris from 1924 to 1961, as well as clubs in Mexico City and Rome. Ada was born in Chicago. 

Key Dates 

Rehearsals Dates 
Tuesday 28th June
Wednesday  29th June 
Thursday 30th June
a Friday 1st July 

Recording dates: 
Tuesday 5th July
Wednesday 6th July
Thursday 7th July 
Friday 8th July 
Saturday 9th July 


Application information;

Send Actors headshot 
CV and brief covering letter or
 Up to 2 minute video clip sharing your experience and why you are interested in joining us on this project.
 An audio clip of examples of relevant accents and your singing voice. 

Please send to
 info@vanitasarts.co.uk
Subject matter - POI Audition - Character Name 

If this is you
Apply now!

All the best we looking forward to hearing from you! 
​Vanitas Arts.