Audition Information
Auditions for all performers is Saturday, June 15th 9:00-12:30
If you cannot attend this day, please contact erin.coleman@cobbk12.org to learn how to submit a video audition.
THE CHARACTERS
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, male identifying. A strutting, swaggering rockstar. Over-the-top and cocky, he is the Renaissance 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, male identifying. 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, male identifying. 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, female identifying. A capable and charismatic woman determined to live her own way in Elizabethan England (even if it means dressing as 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, female identifying. 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, can sing up the octave at times) – 40s to 50s, either genger. 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, male identifying. A tightly, 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/LADY CLAPHAM (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, either gender. Patron of theatre. He/She’s flamboyant and extremely posh. Seeking a great comedic actor that can join the ensemble in singing.
SHYLOCK (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, any gendert. 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, can sing up the octave) – 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.
BARDETTES (all voice parts) - Any age. Will's backup dancers and singers.
ENSEMBLE (all voice parts) – Various ages, genders, and occupations: Minstrel, Townspeople, Nick’s Troupe, Lord Clapham, Shylock, Man Servants, Crowd, Chorus, etc. Tap experience helpful!
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS:
Please prepare a song in the style of the musical or character you are auditioning for. Please plan to sing 1:00-1:45 minutes of the song. Remember, we are not only listening to you sing, but also looking for your acting ability and characterization while you sing.
You will participate in a dance audition. There is nothing to prepare, but please wear/bring clothing you can move in and either dance shoes or tennis shoes (absolutely no flip-flops, crocks, boots, heels of any kind, socks, or bare feet will be allowed)
Sides-please be familiar with the following sides. You may be asked to read for any part during the audition. These do not need to be memorized, but you should know the characters and relationships. (coming soon)
You may be asked to sing any of the following during auditions. Please be familiar with these songs and sides.
Bea - Female-"Right Hand Man"
Music Track: start at 1:20-1:50 Right Hand Man track
Broadway Track for reference: 1:20-1:50 Right Hand Man broadway
Sheet Music:Sheet Music
Sides: pages 17 and 41 Sides
Portia - Female-I Love the Way
Music track: Music Track "I Love the Way"
Broadway track for reference from 1:15-2:07: I Love the Way Broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Sides: pages 59 and 43 sides
Minstrel - Female/Male-Welcome to the Renaissance (can sing up the octave)
Music Track: start at 0:00-0:50 Welcome to the Ren track
Broadway track for reference: start at 0:00-0:50 Welcome to the Ren broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Nostradamus - Female/Male - A Musical (can sing up the octave)
Music Track: start at 0:26-1:00 A Musical track
Broadway Track for reference: start at 0:38-1:12 A Musical broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Sides: pages 24-25 and 68 sides
Will Shakespeare - Male- "Hard to be the Bard"
Music Track: start at 0:49-1:48 Hard to be the Bard track
Broadway Track for reference: start at 0:49-1:48 Hard to be the Brad broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Sides: page 59 sides
Nigel - Male- "I Love the Way"
Music Track: I Love the Way track
Broadway Track for reference: start at 1:15-2:07 I Love the Way broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Sides: pages 68, 17, 59, 43, 41 sides
Nick - Male- "Bottom's Gonna be on Top"
Music Track: start at 0:00-0:39 Bottom's Gonna be on Top track
Broadway Track for reference: start at 0:00-0:39 Bottom's Gonna be on Top Broadway
Sheet Music: Sheet Music
Sides: pages 24-25, 68, 17, 14-15, 41, 38-39, 14-15 sides
Brother Jeremiah - Male - "We See the Light"
Music Track: start at 2:07-2:40 We See the Light track
Broadway Track for reference: start at 2:07-2:40 We See the Light broadway
Sheet Music:sheet music
Sides: pages 38-39 sides
Other characters that you might read for:
Shylock: pages 14-15 sides
Lord/Lady Clapham: pages 39-39 sides