A group of local actors under the direction of a prolific playwright will give a one-night engagement of James Baldwin’s “Amen Corner” on Oct. 10.

Jo Ann Jones, who has written several of her own plays, is directing the group of 10 cast members, many of whom have been in her prior works. This time, however, she is directing not her own work, but that of the noted author who is better known for his semi-autobiographical novel, “Go Tell It On the Mountain.”

The play focuses on Pastor Margaret Alexander, the teenage son she is raising as a single mother, and the congregation at her church.

“She runs a tight ship,” said Elke Boone, who plays Alexander. “She is a single parent raising a teenage son while trying to shield him from life.”

Things start to go awry for the pastor when her estranged husband comes back into her and her son’s lives.

“It’s challenging,” said Phil Jennings, who plays the estranged husband, Luke. “I can relate to Luke, because he’s into the arts, and I like jazz.”

Jennings also said his situation was similar when he returned home from Vietnam.

“It’s about her coming to terms with her life choices,” Boone said.

Several of the actors said they can relate to their characters, which Boone said will be appealing to the audience, as well.

“It would be hard for someone not to be able to find themselves in any of the characters,” Boone said.

There are 10 actors in all, with one playing two characters.

Sister Ida Jackson and Sister Sally both will be portrayed by Clintonia Walton-Saylor. Both are young women, but Walton-Saylor said Jackson is more dramatic while Sally is flighty. She said she identifies more with Jackson.

“She’s kind of meek and humble in the beginning, but she doesn’t stay that way,” she said.

Deborah Perry-Adams plays Odessa, the pastor’s sister.

“I am protecting my sister’s vision,” she said. “I am protecting her from all weapons that may form against her.”

Sylvia Bond, Brenda Newby and Renee Shivers all play women of the church.

“I’m one of the leaders of the church,” said Newby, who was conflicted about whether her character is good or bad. “I’m one of the ‘holy sisters.’”

Bond plays Sister Rice, who is “a somewhat reserved character who is trying to make sure she says the right thing and does the right thing,” she said.

Shivers plays “an eccentric old woman” who is “in my own world,” she said.

Clinton Hardy plays Brother Boxer, who is a go-to man for the pastor and sometimes can be an aggravator or instigator, Hardy said.

Hardy said one of the messages of the play is that “we can see an individual, but really you don’t know that individual.”

“There’s a lot of quick judgments” in the play, Walton-Saylor said.

The other actors are Canden Walton, who plays the pastor’s son, David, and Erma Johnson, who plays Sister Boxer.

Boone encouraged everyone to come out to the play.

“I think this play has something for everyone,” she said. “They’re going to laugh. They might cry. They’re going to have a little church.”

The performance will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at King’s Fork High School, 351 Kings Fork Road. Tickets are $20 and are available at the door.