Friday, March 31, 2023

Auditions for THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged & revised) at Desert Stages Theatre announced for April 16



THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged & revised)

By: William Shakespeare
Director: Van Rockwell

Show Run: June 9 – July 2, 2023
Audition Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 6 – 9 pm

Callbacks: April 25, 2023
Rehearsals: April 30 – June 9, 2023
* Rehearsals will be Tues. – Thurs. evenings from 6:30 – 10:00 pm with the addition of
Sat. morning/afternoon (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)


AUDITION INFORMATION:
Looking for anywhere between (3-7) very funny performers who will parodically perform multiple characters from famous Shakespeare plays like Romeo and Juliet, Titus Andronicus, Othello, Julius Cesar, Macbeth and of course…. Hamlet.

The pace is VERY FAST, with performers running around; dying; falling; fighting, then recovering fast; changing characters and costume pieces; swapping props, etc. The fourth wall is non-existent, with the cast regularly speaking directly to, and interacting with, the audience. Due to the rapid-fire nature of the show with the possibility of improvisation and ad-libbing, we’re seeking performers who can form a close-knit group and play off of each other. The play is written for (3) actors. Therefore, your name will be used as the character's name. The show originally casts (3) men, but we are open to ANY/ALL performers who would like to audition. That’s right – any age, size, sex, and race are encouraged to audition. Each actor must bring themselves to the character, so we are not giving character descriptions. 
Please show us how YOU are funny. This show will require some level of improvisation and possible audience interaction.

No conflicts will be accepted during show dates or the week before opening. 

AUDITION PREPARATION:
Please prepare a joke and a (one-minute long) Shakespeare monologue or sonnet. The auditions will also include cold readings from the script.

Callbacks will consist of cold scene reads from the script (provided in advance, but done in groups) and some improv games.

Masks are welcomed for your safety and concern.

Performers of all races, ethnicities, sizes, abilities, and genders (conforming and non-conforming) are encouraged to audition.  SHOW SYNOPSIS:

All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes!

Can (3) people really cover (37) Shakespeare plays in less than (2) hours? This fast-firing comedy does just that as it parodies all of the Shakespeare plays (plus the sonnets!) with only three performers in two acts. This play is full of energy as the characters run across the stage and keep you guessing how they will pull off the next play. Clever use of some interesting costumes also adds to the fun. The play starts with an eccentric version of Romeo and Juliet, followed by a parody of Titus Andronicus (which is portrayed as a cooking show). Next is Othello, which is done as a rap song (the infamous
“Othello Rap”). The members of the trio compete in a hilarious football game which summarizes the histories (King John, Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV, etc.), complete with commentary and details of each character’s rise and fall from power.

As the characters are about to come to the end of the first act, they realize they forgot to perform Hamlet. One of the actors becomes nervous and runs out of the theatre with another actor chasing him. The final actor is left to entertain the audience by himself, which he does by telling jokes and calling for the intermission.

After the intermission, the missing two actors return and save their companion from reciting all of the sonnets. All three actors then perform their very abbreviated version of Hamlet (with a little help from the audience), thus “completing” the canon in only an hour and a half!

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