A Midsummer Night's Dream

by William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert Richmond

 

will be held

Sunday, January 26

1pm - 6pm

Callbacks will take place Monday, January 27 from 6pm - 10pm.  Sides will be provided for callbacks.

 

Location: 

Booker T. Washington Building, Room 104
1400 Wheat St.

 

Prepare:

One short Shakespearean monologue and a brief physical comedy, clown, or original music piece with text from any comedic Shakespeare monologue.  While preparing your piece, think about circus side show and street performers-- it should be something that would stop people in their tracks. The goal of this piece is to highlight any ability to devise physical comedy, circus, and/or music pieces. The second piece should be no longer than 60 seconds. 

NOTE: All actors need to be excellent with Shakespearean language. This play will be performed with the actors’ natural accents. Roles may be doubled.

Please bring a headshot and acting resumé to your audition.  

 

Roles available for university students and members of the non-campus community. 

 

To Sign Up for An Audition Time:

Visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044DACAB2CA5FB6-midsummer

 

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About the Production

Artistic Producer: Janet Alexander Griffin
Associate Artistic Producer: Beth Emelson
Director:  Robert Richmond
Casting: Manna-Symone Middlebrooks

First Rehearsal:  April 21
Tech:  May 14-17
Previews: May 19, 20
Performances: May 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
Scheduled Closing: May 30

This production will be performed at Shakespeare's Playhouse, our brand new outdoor venue!

This May, we'll debut our new outdoor stage inspired by Shakespeare's own Globe Theatre. Made possible in part by a grant from the UofSC Excellence Initiative, this portable venue will bring the uniquely communal environment of the Globe into the 21st century and provide our audiences with memorable outdoor theatre experiences for years to come. A Midsummer Night's Dream weaves together the stories of four young lovers and a group of roaming actors, who wander through an enchanted forest and find themselves entangled by the mischievous whims of a band of powerful fairies. A timeless tale of magic, mix-ups, and mayhem, this Shakespeare classic reminds us all just "what fools these mortals be!"

 

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Compensation

Stipends will be available.

 

Questions

Contact Robert Richmond: bourner@mailbox.sc.edu

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Roles Available/Character Breakdown

Folger Theatre and the University of SC practices non-traditional casting.  We encourage people of every race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, and physical ability to audition, EOE.

The roles of Titania/Hippolyta, Peter Quince, and Bottom will be pre-cast.

PUCK (20-40): Female or male, open to any ethnicity or race. Oberon’s jester. A mischievous, enchanting fairy who enjoys toying with mortals. Must have strong skills with comedy and language, high-spirited, a little wicked, and confident physicality.

PHILOSTRATE (20-40): Female or male, open to any ethnicity or race. Efficient, effective, assistant to Theseus.  Supremely diplomatic. Must have strong skills with comedy and language, high-spirited, a little wicked, and confident physicality.

EGEUS (20-40): Female or male, open to any ethnicity or race.  Hermia’s parent. An old-fashioned, insensitive, andprotective guardian. Must have strong skills with comedy and language, high-spirited, a little wicked, and confident physicality.

OBERON/THESEUS (30-50): Male, open to any ethnicity or race. OBERON: king of the fairies and husband to Titania.  A mercurial, cunning, and vengeful leader who wants when he wants it. THESEUS: duke of Athens and groom to Hippolyta. Heroic, authoritative, intellectual, and wholly undone by his love for Hippolyta. Must have excellent facility with language and strong physicality.

HERMIA (20-30): Female, open to any ethnicity or race. Beloved of Lysander and Demetrius, but only in love with Lysander. A strong-willed, impetuous, athletic, and kind-hearted young woman. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills.

HELENA (20-30): Female, open to any ethnicity or race. Hermia’s devoted and jealous best friend. A romantic with sharp wit and physical insecurity. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills. Clowning ability or experience is a plus.

LYSANDER (20-30): Male, open to any ethnicity or race. An endearing, facile, and impulsive young lover who runs away with Hermia. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills. Ability to play guitar is a plus.

DEMETRIUS (20-30): Male, open to any ethnicity. Beloved of Helena, but in love with Hermia. A witty, smooth, and arrogant young Athenian accustomed to getting exactly what he wants. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills.

FLUTE/FAIRY/MUSICIAN (20+): Male, open to any ethnicity or race. FLUTE: a soft-spoken, thoughtful craftsman chosen to play the female ingenue in the play in celebrating Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. FAIRY: a servant to Titania. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills, as well as vocal or instrumental music ability.

SNUG/FAIRY/MUSICIAN (20+): Female, open to any ethnicity or race. SNUG: a sweet and gullible craftswoman chosen to play The Lion in the play celebrating Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. FAIRY: a servant to Titania. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills, as well as vocal or instrumental music ability.

STARVELING/FAIRY/MUSICIAN (40+): Female or male, open to any ethnicity or race. STARVELING: a simple craftsperson chosen to play Moonshine in the play celebrating Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. FAIRY: a servant to Titania. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills, as well as vocal or instrumental music ability.

SNOUT/FAIRY/MUSICIAN (40+): Female or male, open to any ethnicity or race. STARVELING: a cautious craftsperson chosen to play Moonshine in the play celebrating Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. FAIRY: a servant to Titania. Must have strong comedic language and physical comedy skills, as well as vocal or instrumental music ability. 

 

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Theatre South Carolina embraces non-traditional casting and encourages the casting of ethnic minority actors, female actors, and physically-challenged actors where possible. Individual show directors, together with the artistic director and the acting faculty, make all casting decisions. While some parts may be cast before auditions, that is always the case with guest actors.