Casting Call: Bring Captain Jimmy Brown’s Story to Life

Actor for Video Production

Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and The National Canal Museum seek an actor to portray Captain James “Jimmy” Brown, a historic African American canal boat captain who worked on the Lehigh Navigation, for a one-day video production shoot.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Captain James Brown — known as Jimmy Brown — was a real historical figure who navigated the Lehigh Canal, and his story is a vital and often overlooked part of the region’s history. This role brings his voice and experience to life through a series of short dramatic monologues filmed on location at the National Canal Museum.

The actor will deliver 8–10 “micro monologues” — short, character-driven pieces ranging from roughly 1–2 minutes each — totaling approximately 10–15 minutes of scripted material. Scripts will be provided in advance of the shoot date. Memorizing the provided scripts is key to success in this role. 

SHOOT DETAILS

• Date: Thursday, June 11, 2025 (alternate date of June 15 in case of bad weather). Start time 8am, anticipate a 6-8 hour day. Food will be provided. 
• Location: National Canal Museum, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA
• Format: Single-day video shoot
• Period-accurate costume and wardrobe will be provided
• Per diem: $500

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an African American male actor who:

• Can learn and deliver 10–15 minutes of scripted material confidently and naturally
• Is comfortable with living history, documentary, or educational performance styles
• Can convey dignity, authority, and humanity in a first-person historical portrayal
• Is available for the full shoot day on June 11^th (alternate rain date: June 15th)
• Is based in or able to travel to the Easton, PA area. Must provide own transportation. 

Prior experience in living history interpretation, theater, documentary film, or period drama is a plus but not required. What matters most is presence, preparation, and the ability to bring a real person’s story to life.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send the following to carolynnb@delawareandlehigh.org with the subject line “Captain Jimmy Brown – Actor Application”:

1. A brief introduction (a few sentences about yourself and your performance background)
2. A résumé or CV, or a short description of relevant experience
3. A headshot or recent photo
4. A link to any video of your work, if available (not required)

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested actors to apply promptly.

Questions? Reach out to Carolynn Birilli at carolynnb@delawareandlehigh.org.

The National Canal Museum is committed to preserving and sharing the full, inclusive history of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the communities who shaped it. We look forward to hearing from you.