Melanated Christmas
Mia Brooks is a gifted, tightly controlled event planner who creates warmth and elegance for everyone but herself. As Christmas lights and community traditions fill the Eastside, Mia’s own apartment remains bare, reflecting how emotionally closed off she has become. In client meetings she is sharp, funny, and impeccably professional, but she shuts down even harmless flirtation and keeps real connection at arm’s length.
At her office, her loyal friend Tiffany Hall notices the cracks beneath Mia’s polish, especially when Mia reacts to a call from Kevin Rush, a man who seems to represent an old pattern of disappointment and inconsistency. Tiffany also shares a rumor that the Eastside’s prestigious Melanated Christmas Ball may need a new planner. Though Mia is clearly intrigued, she doubts that talent alone is enough to gain entry into such a legacy event and worries she will never truly be trusted in those circles.
Later, at her parents’ Christmas-filled home, Mia is surrounded by easy family love, ritual, and partnership. Watching her parents and her sister Nadia move through their relationships with comfort and familiarity forces Mia to confront what is missing in her own life. In a quiet kitchen conversation, she admits that despite her success, she expected to have built a fuller life by now, not just a flawless schedule. The excerpt ends with Mia exposed in her loneliness, setting up a story about ambition, belonging, and the possibility of love.
About the producer
Notis Studios Producer · Notis Films · Spencer, Oklahoma2 past productions
View producer profile →KEVIN RUSH
A handsome, easygoing brother who notices Mia's guarded warmth and gently tries to connect. Core traits: former intimate, disappointing, emotionally significant Voice: unspecified Performance range: brief dramatic backstory presence Required abilities: none if mentioned only Preferred abilities: grounded warmth that can plausibly mask unreliability Physical performance: none Accent: unspecified Language: English Comparable performances: dependable-looking ex with subtle emotional absence Audition sides: none unless expanded Casting notes: Should feel believable as someone Mia once planned a future with, without pulling focus from Montez.
AUNT CORA
A likely family elder who helps Mia see the Ball is about community, legacy, and showing up for one another. Occupation: community elder Core traits: wise, warm, grounded, emotionally perceptive What they want: Help Mia understand the Ball is about more than perfection. Inner need: To pass down perspective with warmth and clarity. Main conflict: Help Mia pull the Ball back toward its true purpose when pressure turns it into a perfection test. Arc: mentor-affirmation Voice: warm, direct, reassuring Performance range: Warm, grounded, wise, emotionally resonant Required abilities: Deliver heartfelt guidance with natural authority Preferred abilities: Subtle humor, family-drama ease Physical performance: Minimal Accent: Standard American Language: English Comparable performances: Beloved auntie energy, warm and quietly commanding Audition sides: The realization scene with Mia about the Ball's deeper meaning Casting notes: Should feel like a believable family elder tied to community history
YOUNG WOMAN
ELDERS
Older community members whose natural faith-rooted language helps ground the story's Christian atmosphere. Occupation: community elders Core traits: grounded, observant, warm, spiritually centered What they want: Support and bless the community's holiday life around the Ball. Inner need: To keep showing steady faith and communal warmth. Main conflict: Keep faith and community steady around the Ball as pressure and setbacks rise. Arc: flat Voice: natural, faith-rooted, conversational Performance range: warm, grounded, naturalistic Required abilities: deliver faith-rooted language with ease and authenticity Preferred abilities: community-theater or church-performance background Physical performance: background business, standing, walking, light social interaction Accent: regional Eastside/community naturalism Language: English Comparable performances: church mother, neighborhood elder, community deacon energy Audition sides: brief community dialogue with faith-rooted phrasing Casting notes: cast older performers who feel lived-in, warm, and organically tied to the neighborhood's Christian atmosphere
SECURITY GUARD 1
WOMEN
BROTHER
The handsome brother in Mia’s first planning meeting who casually tries to connect with her and gets politely shut down. Core traits: casual, confident, charming What they want: Connect with Mia casually. Inner need: To read Mia’s boundaries and accept distance gracefully. Main conflict: He tries to make a casual connection with Mia and gets politely shut down. Arc: flat, functional Voice: casual, smooth, lightly teasing Performance range: charming, casual, brief comic flirtation Required abilities: land teasing lines naturally, read as handsome and socially confident Preferred abilities: warm improvisational ease Physical performance: relaxed screen presence, expressive reactions Accent: standard American Language: English Comparable performances: handsome community charmer, light holiday-romance energy Audition sides: brief flirtatious exchange with Mia at end of meeting Casting notes: Should be likable, not pushy; his purpose is to reveal Mia's polite emotional wall.
VENUE WORKERS
SECURITY GUARD 2
WAITER
LOCAL MUSICIANS
Unnamed musicians from the community who step in with last-minute support to help save the Ball. Occupation: musicians Core traits: generous, adaptable, community-minded What they want: Help provide music support for the Ball at the last minute. Inner need: To show up in a spirit of generosity and shared celebration. Main conflict: Help rescue the Eastside Melanated Christmas Ball with last-minute community support. Arc: flat-supporting Voice: casual, upbeat, practical Performance range: warm, communal, uplifting Required abilities: believable musician presence Preferred abilities: real instrument or vocal ability Physical performance: light performance staging Accent: not specified Language: English Comparable performances: holiday ensemble, neighborhood performers Audition sides: short community rally moment Casting notes: cast authentic local musicians from the community if possible
MELANIE BROOKS
Mia Brooks's mother, a likely emotional touchpoint in Mia's guarded life.
JANESSA MOSS
A flaky vendor, former friend, or junior committee member who is unreliable but not evil. Occupation: vendor, former friend, or junior committee member Core traits: flaky, personable, well-meaning, disorganized What they want: Get through her Ball-related responsibilities without full accountability. Inner need: To become more dependable and direct. Main conflict: Her unreliability causes Ball prep setbacks for Mia Brooks. Arc: flat-negative to slight-growth Voice: casual, apologetic, upbeat Performance range: light comedy, grounded realism, mild dramatic friction Required abilities: believable excuse-making, natural ensemble play Preferred abilities: improv, warm comedic timing Physical performance: busy, scattered energy Accent: standard American Language: English Comparable performances: warm, flaky, well-meaning supporting player Audition sides: late vendor call, committee apology, missed-detail scene Casting notes: must read unreliable but not evil; should create friction without villain energy
NADIA BROOKS-COLEMAN
Mia’s older sister, married with two kids, who is warm, capable, funny, and organized in a different way than Mia. Core traits: warm, capable, funny, organized What they want: Support Mia and draw her closer to family and softness. Inner need: To keep loving Mia without trying to run Mia’s life. Main conflict: Mia's emotional isolation keeps their bond one-sided as Ball pressure closes her off further. Arc: flat influence arc Voice: warm, direct, lightly teasing Performance range: warm, funny, grounded, emotionally perceptive Required abilities: naturalistic dialogue, sister chemistry, light humor, emotional warmth Preferred abilities: family ensemble chemistry, holiday-romance tone Physical performance: minimal Accent: General American Language: English Comparable performances: warm older sister energy, polished but approachable Audition sides: Scene with Mia that gently calls out her loneliness while staying loving Casting notes: African American actor strongly suggested by family continuity with Mia Brooks.
TIFFANY HALL
Mia’s funny, honest, emotionally perceptive best friend/cousin/assistant who knows her too well to be impressed by appearances. Occupation: assistant Core traits: funny, honest, emotionally perceptive, practical, loyal What they want: Help Mia pull off the Ball successfully. Inner need: To balance loyalty with direct truth instead of only smoothing things over. Main conflict: Help Mia pull off the Ball while problems keep stacking up. Arc: flat/supporting Voice: casual, direct, warm, lightly teasing Performance range: comedic, warm, emotionally perceptive, grounded Required abilities: sharp banter, natural chemistry with female lead, sincere truth-telling Preferred abilities: improv instincts, holiday rom-com tone Physical performance: light business, expressive reactions Accent: standard American Language: English Comparable performances: best-friend truth-teller in a warm holiday romance Audition sides: scene advising Mia, scene teasing Mia about romance, scene helping during Ball stress Casting notes: Needs effortless familiarity with Mia and zero intimidation by polished appearances
MATTHEW BROOKS
Mia Brooks's father, a likely emotional reference point in her guarded world. Occupation: unspecified Core traits: steady, observant, caring What they want: Support Mia as she navigates the Eastside Melanated Christmas Ball pressure. Inner need: To stay present for Mia without pushing so hard that she retreats. Main conflict: Supporting Mia as practical setbacks and Ball pressure mount around her guarded way of living. Arc: flat-supporting Voice: calm, direct, reassuring Performance range: warm, grounded, emotionally resonant Required abilities: credible fatherly presence Preferred abilities: subtle dramatic depth Physical performance: minimal Accent: unspecified Language: English Comparable performances: supportive father in grounded holiday romance Audition sides: family scene with Mia Casting notes: Must feel believable as the father of Mia Brooks and fit a warm holiday-romance tone.
MIA BROOKS
A gifted African American party planner lands the Eastside’s beloved Melanated Christmas Ball and must learn that vulnerability is not weakness. Occupation: party planner Core traits: gifted, disciplined, polished, emotionally guarded, ambitious. What they want: Produce the Eastside’s beloved Melanated Christmas Ball successfully. Inner need: To accept that vulnerability and asking for help are not weakness. Main conflict: Produce the Eastside’s beloved Melanated Christmas Ball in two weeks as vendors, sponsors, and deliveries slip. Arc: positive change Voice: crisp, efficient, dryly witty, politely firm. Performance range: Holiday-romance lead, sharp comedy, contained emotion, later vulnerability Required abilities: Carry protagonist arc, fast professional dialogue, subtle romantic chemistry Preferred abilities: Warmth under restraint, light dramedy, commanding presence Physical performance: Composed posture, efficient movement, expressive micro-reactions Accent: Not specified Language: English Comparable performances: Holiday romance lead with ambition and guarded softness Audition sides: Community room meeting, Brother doorway scene, apartment silence beat Casting notes: African American female lead; polished, intelligent, attractive, emotionally guarded but deeply sympathetic.
MONTEZ CARTER
A warm, grounded, dependable man whose steady presence challenges Mia’s emotional self-protection during Ball preparations. Occupation: venue or catering work tied to the Ball Core traits: warm, grounded, dependable What they want: Help get the Ball ready while building a real connection with Mia. Inner need: To stay steady and open while loving someone who resists being vulnerable. Main conflict: Help deliver the Ball under mounting logistics pressure while working closely with Mia. Arc: steadying catalyst Voice: casual, warm, direct Performance range: Warm, grounded, romantic, lightly comedic, emotionally steady Required abilities: Natural chemistry with Mia, subtle charm, calm sincerity Preferred abilities: Comfort with holiday-romance tone, hospitality or blue-collar authenticity Physical performance: Light carrying, setup activity, standing/walking through event spaces Accent: Standard American Language: English Comparable performances: Holiday-romance leading man energy, warm community-centered charm Audition sides: Planning-meeting flirtation, calm support during setback, Ball-night emotional beat Casting notes: Handsome, dependable presence; must feel like a believable steady counterweight to Mia
STEVEN COLEMAN
Nadia Brooks-Coleman’s husband, part of the family unit Mia sees but does not bitterly envy. Occupation: unspecified Core traits: steady, family-oriented, low-drama What they want: Support his household with Nadia Brooks-Coleman. Inner need: To remain emotionally available within the family unit. Main conflict: Maintaining a steady family presence around Mia while her isolation makes his ordinary marriage feel like a contrast she notices. Arc: flat Voice: casual, warm, straightforward Performance range: Warm, grounded, naturalistic Required abilities: Convey easy domestic familiarity quickly Preferred abilities: Subtle reaction work in family scenes Physical performance: Light blocking, family scene realism Accent: Standard American Language: English Comparable performances: Warm supporting husband type in holiday romance Audition sides: Short family exchange with Nadia Brooks-Coleman and Mia Brooks Casting notes: Cast someone who reads as kind, settled, and unthreatening rather than flashy