Open Auditions - Shakespeare in Love - the play

About the project and the company

Valley Center Stage is holding OPEN AUDITIONS for

Shakespeare in Love

Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard

Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall

Music by Paddy Cunnen

Originally produced on West End by Disney Theatrical Productions & Sonia Friedman Productions, directed by Declan Donnellan and designed by Nick Ormand.

Synopsis:

Penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, struggling young playwright William Shakespeare is tormented by writer’s block, until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor. Viola quickly becomes the playwright’s muse, while she disguises herself as a man to become a player. Both are despondent when they learn that Viol’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family. Under veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very  play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet.  With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?

Open Auditions:  Nov 11, 12, 18, 19th  – from 2:30-5pm

Held at Valley Center Stage  – 1060 Stilson Ave SE, North Bend, WA 98045 – aka Sallal Grange

Rehearsals:

Kick off – Dec 16th – scripts and read through.

Weekday rehearsals held from 7-9ish  Weekend rehearsals from 11-2pm

TBC with cast and crew.

Tech week mandatory.

Performance Dates: Feb 16- Mar 3rd.

All performances mandatory.

Week 1:   Friday – Sun:   Feb 16, 17, 18th(m)

Week 2:  Thurs – Sun:  Feb 22, 23, 24, 25th(m)

Week 3:   Thurs- Sun: Feb 29, Mar 1, 2, 3rd (m)

Show times at 7:30 pm, and matinees (m) at 2pm.

Characters will remain as gendered, but casting is open. All skill levels welcome.

Double, Triple casting TBD

List of Characters:

William Shakespeare – (Lead) poet and playwright

Kit Marlow – colleague, friend and inspiration

Viola de Lesseps  – (Lead) disguises herself as actor Thomas Kent

Fennyman – the theater money

Henslowe – owner and manager of the Rose Theatre

Richard Burbage – lead actor of the Chamberlain’s Men

Ned Alleyn – lead actor of the Admiral’s Men, Mercutio

Peter – actor, Tybalt, Abraham

Ralph – actor, Nurse, Petruchio

Robin – novice actor, Lady Capulet, Proteus

Wabash – novice actor, stammering

Sam – actor, Juliet

Nol – actor, Benevolio, Samson

Adam – actor, Gregory, Benevolio, Servingman, Valentine

John Webster – street urchin, aspires to be an actor

Edmond Tilney – the Lord Chamberlain

Nurse – to Lady Viola

Lord Wessex – betrothed to Viola

Sir Robert de Lesseps – Viola’s father

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen’s attendants

Henchmen

Tavern wenches

Barman

Waiter

Boatman

Guard

Musicians

Location of Audition

Valley Center Stage 1060 Stilson Ave SE North Bend, WA 98045 aka: Sallal Grange - corner of North Bend Way and Mt Si Road

Audition requirements

You can either read from script or present a monologue All skill levels are welcome Please bring your bio and headshot Plan to fill out an availability form