AUDITIONS
Auditions will take place at Northern Stage in the Lemal Room in White River Junction on Wed, Dec 13 from 5-9, Thursday, Dec 14 from 5-9. The Lemal room is in the administration building, facing Gates Street. You can enter through the administration offices. You will then be directed to the audition room. We will hold call-backs on Saturday, Dec 16 from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM at the Parish Players Grange Theatre in Thetford.
Something Rotten! will be directed by Richard Waterhouse, choreographed by Michele Carlson and Julie Frew, with music direction by Joshua Brown, scenic design by Alex Taylor, and costumes by Beth McGee. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the excitement of opening night, the Bottom brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
Something Rotten! will be presented at the Briggs Opera House from April 5-April 21. Performances take place Fri – Sat at 7:30 p.m., and Sun at 3:00 p.m. Rehearsals will be held beginning January 10.. They will take place on Wed nights, Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Location TBD although they will be as central as possible.
The creative team seeks a diverse company of actors ages 16+. We welcome everyone to the table and are excited to see what you can bring to the story of Something Rotten!
Note: Some characters are written by the author with certain pronouns, and in service of the author’s intent, we must honor those pronouns in the dialogue onstage, and certain songs in the score must be performed in the styles in which they were intended. These are the parameters we must legally honor in our use of copyrighted material.
All roles are open.
SHAKESPEARE (vocal range: Ab2-Ab4) – Late 20s to early 40s, A strutting, swaggering rockstar. Over-the-top and cocky, he is the Renaissance version of James Brown or Mick Jagger. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well, and can sport vague British and Yorkshire accents. Tap experience a plus.
NICK BOTTOM (vocal range: A2-G4) – Late 20s to early 40s, A frustrated Renaissance writer at his wit’s end, trapped in Shakespeare’s shadow. Passionate, at times goofy, and competitive. Nigel’s older brother and Bea’s husband. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well. Tap experience a plus.
NIGEL BOTTOM (vocal range: Eb3-A4) – 20s to 30s, An adorably sincere, sometimes awkward poet. Initially very nervous and humble, but slowly gains confidence through a shared appreciation of poetry with his newfound love, Portia. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings very well.
BEA (vocal range: D3-D5) – Late 20s to 40s, A capable and charismatic woman determined to live her own way in Elizabethan England (even if it means dressing as a man to do it). Suffers no fools, except sometimes Nick, because she loves him. Seeking a great comedic actress that sings very well. Mezzo with belt.
PORTIA (vocal range: G3-F#5) – 20s to early 30s, A bright young Puritan woman who can’t help her passionate love of poetry, theatre, and ultimately, Nigel. Seeking a great comedic actress that sings very well. Soprano with a mix.
NOSTRADAMUS (vocal range: C3-F4) – 40s to 50s, any gender. A soothsayer who can predict the future… almost… kinda. Goofy at times, yet sometimes wise. He/she predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well.
BROTHER JEREMIAH (vocal range: G3-G4) – 40s to 50s, A tightly laced Puritan who despises playwrights, poets, and all things “ungodly.” Portia’s father. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings very well. Rock baritone solid to G4.
LORD CLAPHAM (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, Patron of theatre. He’s flamboyant and posh. Seeking a great comedic actor that can join the ensemble in singing.
SHYLOCK (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, A Jewish money lender to whom Nick is in debt. Dreams of getting into show business. Seeking a great comedic actor that can join the ensemble in singing.
MINSTREL (vocal range: C#3-A4) – Any age, any gender. Welcomes the audience to the show and serves as a narrator (sometimes). Written for a tenor solid to A4, but open to casting any gender in the role. Also in the ensemble.
ENSEMBLE (all voice parts) – Various ages. We anticipate having two different ensembles- one with singer/dancers and one with actor/singers.
What to prepare for the audition:
Auditions will consist of a vocal audition. Be prepared to sing up to 32 bars of a song in the style of the show. An accompanist will be provided. We will also teach a short dance combination so be prepared to move. A more involved dance combination will be taught at call-backs which will take place on Saturday, Dec 16 between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Auditions will be scheduled in one hour slots for groups of 8-10 actors in each slot.
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