MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - Theatre for a New Audience Auditions

Theatre for a New Audience (NYC)  LORT D; $566/week minimum

Director:  Arin Arbus

Casting Director: Deborah Brown

1^st rehearsal: 12/27/12. Runs: 2/3/13 – 4/6/13 

Equity Principal Auditions

Thursday, September 13, 2012    at the Actors' Equity Audition Center                  

9:30 AM — 5:30 PM     165 West 46th Street, 2nd Floor

Lunch from 1 - 2.      New York, NY 

Prepare a short Shakespearean monologue.

Bring picture and resume, stapled together.

SEEKING:

Benedick: 

(30-45) The protagonist who will play opposite Maggie Siff as Beatrice.  A tremendously appealing actor with strong language skills and the ability to play high comedy.   Benedick has been played by a wide range of actors who are very different including Kevin Kline, Derek Jacobi, Mark Rylance, Jimmy Smits and Sam Waterston.    He is a military officer, most at easy among his fellow soldiers.  His interests are inconstant - 'He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat, it ever changes with the next block."  He's a proclaimed bachelor, an 'obstinate heretic' - unwilling to commit to a woman.  Sometimes plays the role of the misogynist.  Bachelorhood enables him avoid responsibility.  He's witty, refined, prideful, easily embarrassed and sweet.  It isn't until Act 4 that we see the size of his heart.  In the end, he does commit to Beatrice.  He's willing to die for love.  He transforms into a man through the course of the play.

Claudio:

(20s - early 30s) Young leading man.  A Count and a military officer.  Although heroic on the battlefield, he's nervous and shy when it comes to domestic matters.  Doesn't know what to say to a woman.  He is earnest, inexperienced and insecure.  He is quick to fall in love, become jealous and to doubt.  He lacks faith in others.  He is devastated when he finds out that he has wronged Hero.  His remorse is monumental.  Requires an incredibly sympathetic actor.

Margaret:

(30s) Hero’s attendant.  The role is larger than it appears.  It demands a great actor.  Margaret loves fine things, fancy clothes.  Has a dirty mind.  There is a vast, turbulent sea of longing inside of her. She wants someone to write her a sonnet.  She is desperate for a different life.  Loves Hero but is also jealous.  She is devastated when she learns that she’s been used to destroy Hero, but it’s too humiliating to speak up. Margaret and Borachio are the third couple in the play.

Borachio: 

(30-45)  His imagination and his use of language are dazzling.  He's got a wicked sense of humor and the devil in his feet.  Sexy.  He's the smartest guy in Messina.  And the most dangerous.  He's an early version of Iago, except he has a heart.  He sees everyone's weaknesses.  And preys on them.  His relationship with Margaret is fascinating........devastating.  In my opinion, he says the central line of the play : "See'st thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is?"  And by Act 5, he has what I think is a real reversal.  Requires a great actor- he is the engine driving the play.

Antonio:

( 50s - 70s.)  An aristocrat. Leonato’s brother. A kind man.

Hero: 

(20s) Young leading lady.  Leonato's only heir.  Close and obedient to her father. Incredibly strong, smart, a touch shy, warm.  She’s not a shrinking violet. She is able to puncture Beatrice's ego in order to help her.  She experiences a harsh disillusionment of all fanciful notions about love, marriage, paternal loyalty.   Reality stings but she does not lose faith.  Not a passive victim. She chooses to forgive her father and Claudio, which takes tremendous strength, generosity and wisdom. 

The following roles have been CAST. Actors auditioning may be considered for possible replacements if needed.

CAST:   Beatrice, Dogberry, Verges, Friar, Leonato,  Don Pedro, Don John