Cincinnati Shakespeare Company 2024-25 Season - Cincinnati, OH EPA
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Cincinnati, OH
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
1195 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Enter through the theater lobby.
EXPECTED TO ATTEND:
Brian Isaac Phillips - Producing Artistic
Director and Director of Kindred Spirit and Frankenstein
Darnell Pierre Benjamin - Director of Fat Ham
Jeremy Dubin - Director for Twelfth Night
Candice Handy - Education Director
Sara Clark - Director of Mrs. Dalloway
See breakdown for production-specific personnel.
See breakdown for production-specific dates.
OTHER
An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination.
Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.
Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.
Monday, January 29, 2024
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
To set up an audition appointment please go to:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA4AF28A0FAC16-46854888-cscequity#/ .
Once you have secured an audition appointment please fill out the audition form at: https://cincyshakes.com/auditions/ .
You MUST sign up for an audition slot. No walk-ins will be seen. Thank you in advance.
SPT
$512 weekly minimum (SPT 5)
Equity actors for roles in Cincinnati
Shakespeare Company's 2024-25 Season
(See breakdown).
CSC is committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding humans. CSC actively seeks applications and talent from qualified individuals, from the broadest possible community, and is interested in hiring individuals who enhance the diversity of its work force. CSC strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, sex, gender, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected classification.
Please prepare two contrasting monologues not to exceed 3 minutes total. One MUST be from Shakespeare. For those auditioning for 'Mrs. Dalloway,' please also bring 16-24 bars of sheet music in your key to sing. An accompanist will be provided. Those who sing may exceed the 3 minute time limit. Please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
While many characters in the classical canon have historically been described in binary terms of gender; we encourage any and all gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender actors to submit for roles they identify with.
We have listed race/ethnicity when it is specific for the character, but in all other cases, we seek actors representing the diversity of the global community.
By Alice Scovell
First Rehearsal 7/9/24
Opening 8/2/24
Closing 8/18/24
This is a World Premiere production. It is a sequel to Noel Coward's 'Blithe Spirit'.
CHARLES CONDOMINE – a man in the later side of his prime (mid-fifties). He’s still attractive, but with graying temples and a bit more professorial than man-about-town. He has been married twice – first to Elvira, then to Ruth – and since Ruth’s death, twelve years ago, has been a confirmed bachelor. He’s also been a big success. His non-fiction work about psychics, The Unseen, was a best seller and spawned a series of additional popular books by him and other authors.
CLAIRE PORTER – a girl-next-door type, unfussy and unglamorous in her mid-to-late thirties. She was Charles’s editor at his book publisher and is now his uncredited co-writer, working hard with him to meet the deadline for his latest series installment: “The Undone: People Who Love Too Much.”
AVIS WALKER – a brassy woman in her early twenties who acts mild and meek around Charles. She’s using her looks and her wiles to reel in a big fish.
ELVIRA – the ghost of Charles’s first wife. A beautiful, feisty cheater. In 1934, she died in the Kent house (while in her late twenties/early thirties) from pneumonia, after being in the rain with her lover. Her ghost was brought back to the house in a 1941 séance.
RUTH – the ghost of Charles’s second wife, killed in her mid-thirties by Elvira in a 1941 car wreck. Ruth is more serious and down-to-earth than Elvira. She and Elvira are not on good terms. Her ghost was brought back in a séance, a few days after Elvira was summoned.
MADAME ARCATI – the psychic who brought back the first dead wife and then the second dead wife. Her attempt to send back both ghosts failed, and she advised Charles to travel. She can be any age over fifty.
GERTRUDE CONDOMINE – the ghost of Charles’s formidable late mother, who says exactly what’s on her mind. Nicely dressed in the 1930s style, with expensive jewels. She should be in her fifties or sixties.
By James Ijames
First Rehearsal 8/12/24
Opening 9/6/24
Closing 9/24/24
JUICY – is thicc. 20–21, Black. He’s beautiful. He is lonely. He is smart. A kind of Hamlet. TEDRA – is Juicy’s mother. 45–50, Black. She is a good mother. A kind of Gertrude.
REV – is Tedra’s husband. 45–50, Black. Her dead ex-husband’s brother. Pig farmer and pit master. Electric. A kind of Claudius. Will double as PAP.
OPAL – is one of Juicy’s only friends. 19–20, Black. She loves Juicy and worries about him. A kind of Ophelia.
LARRY – a boy that is attracted to Juicy. 21-23, Black. A marine. Trying to heal from PTSD. Has a secret. Awkward. A kind of Laertes.
RABBY – Is Larry and Opal’s mother. 40-45, Black. Tedra’s friend. Semi-churchy but honestly she just wanna drink and praise the Lord. A kind of Polonius.
PAP – is the ghost of Juicy’s father. Appears 45-ish, Black. Was in prison for killing someone ‘cause their breath stank, ‘til he got shanked on the way to dinner. A kind of Hamlet’s father. Will double as REV.
TIO – is clever. 20-40, Black or Afro-Latinx. Juicy’s cousin. Oldest friend. A kind of Horatio.
By David Catlin
First Rehearsal 9/16/24
Opening 10/11/24
Closing 11/2/24
Track 1: PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY, VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN, FELIX; any ethnicity. Track 2: MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT GODWIN, ELIZABETH LAVENZA; any ethnicity.
Track 3: CLAIRE CLAIRMONT, PORTUGUESE SAILOR, MOTHER, VILLAGER, SOFIA, ANGEL of DEATH, WILLIAM, WOMAN IN BLACK, WEDDING OFFICIANT; any ethnicity.
Track4: LORD BYRON, SCOTTISH SAILOR, PROFESSOR WALDMAN, CREATURE; any ethnicity. Track 5: DR JOHN POLIDORI, WALTON, HENRY CLERVAL, DeLACEY; any ethnicity.
By William Shakespeare
First Rehearsal 10/21/24
Opening 11/15/24
Closing 12/7/24
ORSINO – 20s – 40s; any ethnicity. The Duke of Ilyria, a romantic with a flair for the melodramatic.
VIOLA – 20s; any ethnicity. Young noblewoman who, finding herself alone after a shipwreck, disguises herself as a boy to work for the Duke.
CAPTAIN/as cast – any age; any ethnicity. Captain of the shipwrecked boat on which Viola was traveling. Agrees to help disguise her as a boy and present her to the Duke.
SIR TOBY BELCH – 40s – 60s; any ethnicity. Olivia’s drunken, freeloading uncle. Big and boisterous, with a penchant for playing pranks.
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK – 20s – 60s; any ethnicity. A gullible fop who Sir Toby is using for money. Toby has convinced him that he has a shot with Olivia.
FESTE – any age; any ethnicity. Olivia’s jester. Wry and witty, always on the lookout for a good time and some spare coin. Ability to sing/play a mobile self-accompanying instrument (guitar, uke, etc.) a plus.
OLIVIA – 20s – 30s; any ethnicity. Countess with whom Orsino is smitten. Aloof at first, but the crush she develops on the disguised Viola brings out her giddy side.
MARIA – 30s - 60s, any ethnicity. Waiting Gentlewoman to Olivia. Loyal to her lady, with a devious mind for revenge against those who cross her.
MALVOLIO – 30s – 60s; any ethnicity. Olivia’s steward. Self-important, and secretly in love with his lady.
SEBASTIAN – 20s; any ethnicity. Viola’s twin brother. Good natured and loyal.
ANTONIO/as cast – 20s – 50s; any ethnicity. The sailor (possibly pirate) who rescues Sebastian from drowning. Takes a shining to Sebastian and is dedicated to protecting him.
FABIAN/as cast – any age; any ethnicity. Servant to Olivia. Bit of troublemaker and happy to assist Sir Toby in his pranks.
VALENTINE/as cast – any age; any ethnicity. Servant to Orsino.
CURIO/as cast - any age; any ethnicity. Servant to Orsino.
By James Fitzgerald, Michael Carelton, and John Alvarez.
First Rehearsal 12/2/24
Opening 12/12/24
Closing 12/29/24
JIM – CAST Wants to perform Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, and tries to keep the show on track despite the others attempts to send it spiraling out of control. Begrudgingly does successful impressions of Jimmy Stewart from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and the Grinch among others. Role requires physicality.
MICHAEL – CAST Appears to be comfortably under the influence of alcohol and up for anything, including changing the plan of performing ‘A Christmas Carol’ to telling every Christmas story in one night. Role requires physicality.
JOHN – CAST A true believer in the spirit of Christmas. John has a childlike wonder and desire to share ALL Christmas stories with the audience – not just ‘A Christmas Carol’. Not the smartest person in the room, but often wins people over with enthusiasm. A strong character actor with the ability to portray many characters from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. Role requires physicality.
By Lauren Gunderson
SYNOPSIS: This is World Premiere Commission. This three-person comedy tells the story of Ophelia befriending her potentially homicidal boyfriend’s mother, Gertrude, as the two conspire to create a plan that will help Ophelia escape and live happily ever after.
(This will be a co-production that will transfer to the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. Actors cast MUST be available for both productions)
At CSC - First Rehearsal 12/30/24
Opening 1/24/25
Closing 2/9/25
At Folger Theatre - First Rehearsal 2/18/25
Previews 3/4/25
Press Opening 3/9/25
Closing 4/6/25
Extension Closing Date 4/13/25
OPHELIA - 18+ to play 16, optimistic artistic musical young woman who grew up in this castle. Her father works for the king. Knows what is expected of her, but still driven by hope, passion, and love.
GERTRUDE - 50s, the goddamn Queen of Denmark. Cool and gorgeous, but as the play goes on, exposes their anxiety, burden and fear.
TATIANA - 50s, Ophelia’s lady's maid, nurse, guardian. Been with her for her whole life. Smart, calm, protective.
By William Shakespeare
First Rehearsal 2/3/25
Opening 2/28/25
Closing 3/23/25
MACBETH: 20s-40s; any ethnicity. Scottish Thane, respected soldier, and devoted husband. Role requires physicality.
LADY MACBETH/as cast: 20s-40s; any ethnicity. Macbeth’s wife; strong, advantageous, cunning and devoted to her husband.
FIRST WITCH/as cast; SECOND WITCH/as cast; THIRD WITCH/as cast: Any age, any ethnicity. Three Weird Sisters tied to the natural world. They feed off chaos and the ambition of man. They are ritualistic and closely tied to magic, fate and each other. Roles require physicality.
DUNCAN/as cast: 50s-60s; any ethnicity. King of Scotland at top of play. Honorable and respected. The Macbeths murder him during a visit to their castle.
MALCOLM/as cast: 20s; any ethnicity. Duncan’s son and the heir to the Scottish throne. He escapes after his father’s death, but later rallies support to fight against Macbeth’s forces.
BANQUO/as cast: 35+; any ethnicity. Scottish Thane and like his close friend Macbeth - he is a well respected soldier. He grows suspicious of Macbeth after he is crowned king. He is murdered by killers hired by Macbeth. His ghost returns to haunt Macbeth at the dinner scene. Role requires physicality.
MACDUFF/as cast: 30+; any ethnicity. Scottish thane and honorable statesman, soldier and family man. His family is murdered by killers hired by Macbeth and during the battle, he finds Macbeth, fights and kills him. Role requires physicality.
LADY MACDUFF/as cast: 30+; any ethnicity. Strong, independent mother and wife. She and her children are murdered by killers hired by Macbeth. Role requires physicality.
ROSS/as cast: Any age; any ethnicity. Scottish thane.
LENNOX/as cast: Any age; any ethnicity. Scottish thane.
By William Shakespeare
First Rehearsal 3/17/25
Opening 4/11/23
Closing 5/4/23
PROSPERO: 50+; any ethnicity. Exiled rightful Duke of Milan who has learned magic on the island. Lives with daughter and has acquired spirits to help on the island.
MIRANDA: 20s; any ethnicity. Curious, strong-willed young woman who only remembers her life on the island. Meets Ferdinand and falls in love.
FERDINAND: 20s; any ethnicity. Eager and impetuous young son of Alonso who is separated from the royals after a shipwreck. He meets Prospero and Miranda and falls in love with her.
CALIBAN: Any age; any ethnicity. A creature on the island who was cursed by a witch. Caliban is a servant to Prospero and longs for freedom. Caliban meets Stephano and Trinculo and assumes Stephano is a god, hoping they will release him from service. Role requires physicality.
ARIEL: Any age; any ethnicity. A spirit on the island who is in service to Prospero. Ariel causes the shipwreck that lands the Milan court on the island. Ariel has a close bond with Propsero and their magic is powerful and inspiring.
STEPHANO: Any age; any ethnicity. Alonso’s butler in charge of the wine, which they freely partake of themselves. They are separated from the royals after the shipwreck. Stephano meets up with Caliban and Trinculo and believe that they can rule the island.
TRINCULO: Any age; any ethnicity. A fool at court, Trinculo is separated from the royals after the shipwreck, discovers Caliban, and is found by Stephano. The three of them together believe they can rule the island.
ALONSO: 40+; any ethnicity. The King of Naples. He is the father of Ferdinand and spends most of the play with the royals searching for his son.
GONZALO: 60+; any ethnicity. An old councilor; long-winded but honest and sincere. ANTONIO: 30s – 40s; any ethnicity. Prospero’s sibling and the usurping Duke of Milan.
SEBASTIAN: 20s – 30s; any ethnicity. Alonso’s sibling who is swayed by Antonio into attempted murder of Alonso and Gonzalo.
JUNO, IRIS, CERES/as cast: Island spirits.
ADRIAN/as cast: a lord.
FRANSISCO/as cast: a lord.
MASTER/as cast: in charge of the ship during the shipwreck.
BOATSWAIN/as cast: a sailor on the ship.
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lindsey Augusta Mercer
SYNOPSIS: This a World Premiere Commission based on Virginia Woolf's novel of the same name.
There is no anticipated gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity or vocal sound for the performer of these roles. The casting goal is that the full company be reflective of the widest range of lived experiences possible. Truth and humanity are at the center.
First Rehearsal 4/21/25
Opening 5/23/25
Closing 6/15/25
CLARISSA DALLOWAY: Late 30s- Early 50s (G3-E5), The perfect hostess and queen of deflection. A capricious storm of longing, detachment, denial. Elegant. Aloof. Her special gift is to make others feel at ease, and she works, often to her detriment, to make it so. She has lived a lifelong battle with mental illness, forever overwhelmed, and fueled, by a connection to the (extra-) in the ordinary.
SEPTIMUS WARREN SMITH: 20s-30s (A3-C5), A WWI Vet. battling severe PTSD and haunted by the death of his fellow soldier and lover, EVANS. Strong, stoic, and handsome like a young hawk. His fragmented reality keeps him constantly on the edge and closer than ever to the precious beauty in life.
SALLY SETON: Late 30s- Early 50s (F3-D5), Clarissa’s childhood friend and the only true love she’s ever known. An effortless dreamboat. Bold, and sarcastic but playful. An early life of being outcast has made her fearless, and untouchable, but Clarissa is her kryptonite.
PETER WALSH: Late 30s- Early 50s (G3-A5), Clarissa’s childhood friend and would be lover. An aging fuck-boy with boundless charisma and potential that has been wasted by pride. Bravado aside, he will always do what’s right for Clarissa.
REZIA WARREN SMITH: 20s-30s (A3-F5), An Italian firecracker in a caretaker’s cage. Polished and beautiful young wife to Septimus. Masterful in the craft of hatmaking and in tempering bad situations. Somehow has impeccable comedic timing, even in a second language.
RICHARD DALLOWAY: 40s-50s (G2-A3), Clarissa’s doting and dutiful husband. A bit tortured by a consuming yet inaccessible love for Clarissa. Socially awkward, but tender and compassionate. Mothers love him. A perfectly kind and diplomatic beard - I mean spouse.
HUGH WHITBRED: Late 30s- Early 50s (G2- E4), Clarissa’s childhood friend. A well to do gentleman of high society with a little job at court. No country but England could have produced him. A little clueless and annoying but still somehow makes everything a little more fun.
ENSEMBLE: Highly capable (SATB) choral singers who are strong movers. The vocal arrangements evoke a sweeping golden age score with a pop-folk sensibility. Singing-dancers are also encouraged to apply as Ensemble may include a small troupe of contemporary-ballet style dancers. (Some ensemble tracks will also perform as named characters with featured scenes/songs.)
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