DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAY:
“Duke Senior has been forced into exile from the court by the usurping Duke Frederick. He takes refuge in the Forest of Arden. Rosalind, his daughter, is kept uneasily at court as a companion to her cousin Celia, Frederick's daughter. Orlando de Boys, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver since his father's death. Orlando decides to wrestle for his fortune at Frederick's court, where he sees Rosalind and they fall in love. Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind, fearing that she is a threat to his rule. Celia, refusing to be parted from her cousin, goes with Rosalind to seek Duke Ferdinand in the Forest. For safety they disguise themselves - Rosalind as the boy Ganymede and Celia as his sister Aliena - and persuade the fool Touchstone to accompany them” (rsc.org.uk).
DIRECTOR'S CASTING CONSIDERATIONS:
For the following roles, gender will be cast as written in order to maintain the dressing in-disguise conventions of the plot:
ROSALIND
CELIA
DUKE SENIOR
ORLANDO
OLIVER
The characters ROSALIND and CELIA, are women; and the characters DUKE SENIOR, ORLANDO, and OLIVER, are men, and are to be played as written.
For ALL other characters, gender is an open conversation; all genders, non-binary, and fluid gender identities are on the table for all other characters and choices will be influenced by who auditions.
Actors playing family members need not share physical characteristics.
Actors please put forward on the audition form and be prepared to share musical instrument skills at auditions.
Singing skills will be explored for a relevant handful of roles at callbacks.
Viewpoints will likely be featured as a rehearsal methodology and possibly explored in group callbacks.
There will be doubling of attendants' roles.
All understudies will be part ensemble playing small roles, attendants, etc. Ensemble would be responsible for scene transitions if there are moving scenery elements.
AUDITIONS:
August 29th, 2023 | 6-10pm | Gabel Rehearsal Studio (MUND 409)
Please prepare 90 total seconds of verse for your audition. This can be one piece or two shorter pieces that contrast.
CALLBACKS:
August 30th, 2023 | 6-10pm | Gabel Rehearsal Studio (MUND 409)
The stage manager Mary Dixon, mdixon6@luc.edu, will notify you if you are called back.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Rehearsals Begin: Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
Tech: Thursday, October 12th - Wednesday, October 18th, 2023
Performances: Thursday, October 19th - Saturday, October 21st and Thursday, October 26th - Saturday, October 28th at 7:30PM. Sunday, October 22nd & Sunday, October 29th at 2:00PM.
Performances will be in person at the Newhart Family Theatre and will follow all federal, state, and university COVID-19 guidelines.
This project conflicts with rehearsals for INTIMATE APPAREL.