Casting CallShoulders of Mercy

Chris is the central character of The Crossing — a working man, husband, father, and man of faith whose increasingly committed acts of mercy along the river begin affecting his family, church, reputation, and future.

Chris's wife and an important emotional anchor of the Wilson family.

Danielle loves Chris but increasingly feels the emotional and family consequences of his involvement at the river. Her storyline moves from concern and fear toward standing beside him even when she does not fully understand what he is doing.

Chris and Danielle's son.

Nathan has a major emotional storyline. He notices Chris becoming distracted, waits for Chris at a Parent Appreciation Night at his high school, confronts his father over feeling abandoned, and eventually begins to understand why Chris continues helping people. Nathan later joins Chris in the river and participates in the community response.

A warm, grounded pastor whose personal connection to Chris becomes increasingly important as the story unfolds.

A seasoned federal agent observing Chris's repeated activity along the river.

Rivera is experienced, concerned, measured, and not immediately judgmental. He watches Chris over time, wrestles with whether to intervene, questions him formally, and gradually begins seeing something more complicated than a criminal act.

Pastor of Chris's institutional church.

Pastor Gary preaches about love and wisdom, participates in the church's difficult response to Chris's actions, and ultimately must confront whether protecting the institution has caused him to stop seeing people. This is a substantial dramatic role involving church, office, and later community scenes.

An elder in Chris's church.

Elder Tom thoughtfully articulates concerns about law, borders, responsibility, and order. He later participates in the painful meeting where Chris is asked to step down. The role should not be portrayed as a caricature or villain.

Chris's construction coworker and friend.

Miguel becomes one of the people who sees what the viral attention is doing to Chris. He also shares a personal family story about crossing the border, bringing a human perspective to the controversy.

Chris and Danielle's son.

Mark shares warm father-son moments with Chris, including playing football and proudly showing Chris a model bridge he has built. As Chris becomes increasingly distracted, Mark provides a quiet view of what the family is losing. Later, Mark participates in the community by handing out water and blankets.

Chris and Danielle's daughter.

Valerie participates naturally in family dinner scenes, shares affectionate family moments, later helps translate for an older woman at Iglesia Luz de Cristo, and comforts a crying child during the community response.

Chris encounters him at a gas station after the man's bag tears open and his belongings spill onto the pavement.

A younger federal agent working alongside Rivera during surveillance of the river.

He is more inclined toward immediate intervention, creating an important contrast with Rivera's increasingly complicated response.

A frightened young migrant who is afraid to enter the river. Chris comforts her and helps guide her through the crossing.

A migrant child who becomes endangered during the major storm crossing.

This role involves significant controlled water-action material. Safety planning, guardian requirements, and controlled water/stunt coordination will be discussed with selected performers and their parent or legal guardian.

Appears during Nathan's high-school Parent Appreciation Night. No specific ethnicity required.

A friend approaches Nathan after Parent Appreciation Night when Nathan has been left sitting alone in the bleachers. Open to all performers; no specific ethnicity required.