THE HIGHLY FAVORED

Casting Call

We’re casting actors, singers, and musicians for The Highly Favored, a heartfelt drama with musical performances filming in Chicago, Illinois. We’re looking for passionate performers who can bring real emotion, soulful energy, and authentic gospel spirit to their roles. All experience levels are welcome, come ready to shine and share your gift!

THE STORY:

The Highly Favored follows a family gospel quartet (Treese, Kierra, Mama Jean & Aunt Peach Pie) as they prepare for a local singing competition that could change their lives. Between rehearsals, heartbreak, and a whole lot of laughter, these women rediscover their faith, their purpose, and the harmony that keeps them together.

It’s a gospel musical filled with soul, humor, and healing. It’s a true celebration of the power of family.

Treese

(Lead – Late 20s to Early 30s, Female, Black)

The heart of the group and the film. Treese is confident, talented, and beautiful. A hair stylist and singer balancing ambition, love, and family expectations. She’s got fire in her voice and vulnerability in her eyes. Though her faith is strong, she’s facing real struggles with trust, purpose, and forgiveness.

Vibe: Soulful, layered, strong yet tender.

Vocal range: Lead singer vocality

Kierra

(Supporting Lead – Mid 20s, Female, Black)

Treese’s younger sister; the witty one with a good heart and a sharp tongue. Kierra loves hard but can’t help speaking her mind. She’s a single mother trying to balance responsibility and resentment, and her sisterly rivalry with Treese is equal parts love and frustration.

Vibe: Funny, grounded, emotionally expressive.

Vocal range: Lead singer vocality

Mama Jean

(Supporting – Mid 50s to Early 60s, Female, Black)

A force of nature. Fierce, outspoken, and deeply faithful, Mama Jean has lived a full life and isn’t afraid to tell you how to live yours. She hides her pain with humor and quick comebacks. She’s the backbone of the family, even when she’s being hard on them.

Vibe: Big personality, motherly strength, comedic timing.

Vocal range: Contralto/Alto, soulful and commanding.

Aunt Peach Pie

(Supporting – Early to Mid 50s, Female, Black)

Sweet, stylish, and full of life. Auntie is the glue that keeps everyone from falling apart. She’s got old-school church charm mixed with quiet sass and wisdom. Always looking for the good in people, and occasionally hiding some secrets of her own.

Vibe: Warm, loving, funny; mix of heart and humor.

Vocal range: Lead singer vocality.

Mikey

(Child Role – 4–6 years old, Male, Black)

Kierra’s son. Bright, energetic, funny. Loves his family and isn’t afraid to talk back a little in the cutest way possible.

Vibe: Adorable and confident, steals every scene.

Cory

(Supporting Male Lead – Late 20s, Black)

Treese’s boyfriend. Handsome, charming, but caught between doing right and doing wrong. He wants to provide but keeps falling into old habits. You can’t help but root for him even when he messes up.

Vibe: Cool and confident with emotional depth.

Type: Street-smart but sincere; must handle dramatic range.

Dorian

(Supporting – 30s, Male, Black)

Cory’s best friend and voice of reason. A bit rough around the edges but loyal, grounded, and funny. He’s the kind of friend who tells you the truth even when you don’t want to hear it.

Vibe: Streetwise, comedic, loyal.

Type: Could be a musician or actor with strong personality.

Lance

(Supporting – Late 20s to Mid 30s, Male, Black)

Kierra’s ex and the father of her child. Charming, flirtatious, and dramatic — the kind of man who always thinks he’s in a music video. Beneath his ego, though, he’s got heart.

Vibe: Charismatic and funny with good comedic timing.

Type: Performer energy, possibly a singer.

Chauncey

(Supporting – 30s–40s, Male, Open Ethnicity)

The flamboyant, charismatic MC of the gospel competition — a crowd favorite with flair for the dramatic. He brings levity and humor whenever he’s on stage.

Vibe: Loud, funny, commanding presence.

Type: Big personality, possibly background in hosting or performing.

Mr. Randolph

(Small Role – 50s–60s, Male, Black)

Old-school, hardworking supervisor type. Speaks his mind, no filter. Short scene but strong presence.

Vibe: Straight-talking, funny, and genuine.

Deacon Hathaway

(Supporting – 50s–60s, Male, Black)

Smooth, churchgoing, slightly flirtatious older man who surprises everyone with his connection to Aunt Peach Pie.

Vibe: Charming, playful, seasoned.

**Will need to be comfortable shirtless or with tanktop.

Bizzo

(Supporting Antagonist – Late 30s to Mid 40s, Male, Black)

Smooth-talking and dangerous, Bizzo runs the local underground hustle that pulls Cory back into the streets. He’s not your average thug, he’s controlled, business-minded, and always one step ahead. The kind of man who can intimidate you with a whisper. Though he’s calm on the surface, there’s always a threat simmering underneath.

Vibe: Calculated, charming, and menacing without raising his voice.

Type: Actor with strong presence; think quiet danger over loud aggression.

Accent/Style: Urban, polished, articulate.

**May need to smoke a cigar.

Bizzo

(Supporting Antagonist – Late 30s to Mid 40s, Male, Black)

Smooth-talking and dangerous, Bizzo runs the local underground hustle that pulls Cory back into the streets. He’s not your average thug, he’s controlled, business-minded, and always one step ahead. The kind of man who can intimidate you with a whisper. Though he’s calm on the surface, there’s always a threat simmering underneath.

Vibe: Calculated, charming, and menacing without raising his voice.

Type: Actor with strong presence; think quiet danger over loud aggression.

Accent/Style: Urban, polished, articulate.

**May need to smoke a cigar.

The Victory Steppers (Group)

(Four Ladies – 50s–70s, Female, Black)

A fierce, veteran gospel group full of attitude, humor, and dance moves. Think church hats, sequins, and competition spirit. Great opportunity for singers or performers who can bring comedic gospel energy.

Vibe: Comedic and confident, full of church sass and soul.

God's Angels

(Ensemble Trio – 20s to 30s, Female, Open Ethnicity)

A glamorous trio of church divas who blur the line between praise and performance. God’s Angels are bold, flirtatious, and dripping with confidence always photo-ready and just a little too extra for Sunday service. They sparkle on stage with tight harmonies, playful energy, and just enough innocence to make you wonder if they really know how much they’re showing out.

Vibe: Stylish, sassy, flirty; think gospel meets girl-group glam.

The Anointed Spirits

(Male Quartet – Late 20s to 40s, Black)

A smooth, modern-day gospel group led by Lance, blending old-school quartet soul with flashy R&B showmanship. They love God, but they also love the spotlight — tight suits, sharp choreography, and harmonies that sound like they’ve been rehearsed since birth. Their energy is confident, charismatic, and sometimes borders on boy-band swagger, bringing equal parts praise and performance to every stage they hit.

Vibe: Cool, stylish, and crowd-pleasing with comedic edge.

Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone blend; strong harmony and stage movement skills encouraged.

Background & Featured Extras

  • Church Congregation Members – joyful worshippers, ushers, deacons, and choir attendees for lively church and competition scenes.

  • Real-Life Gospel or Quartet Groups – to appear performing or reacting in our gospel programs and competition sequences.

  • Bus Riders / Kids – fun, expressive background for Mama Jean’s school bus scenes (kids ages 6–12 and adult extras).

  • Salon Clients & Stylists – for the beauty shop scenes filled with laughter, gossip, and good music.

  • Neighborhood Faces – barbers, neighbors, community members walking or hanging out around church or family homes.