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Open Auditions for A Midsummer Nights Dream Announced

  • dateJune 11, 2023
  • userBranson Regional Arts Council
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The Branson Regional Arts Council announces Open Auditions for William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Monday, June 26, 2023 – 5:00pm at the Historic Owen Theatre.

Production Description

Casting non-union actors, movers and musicians for all roles in BRAC’s first touring show, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. A romantic magical comedy of music and movement put on by a traveling troupe of players.

Josh Boulden – Director, Madi Trammel – Music Director, Audrey Noll – choreographer

Performance Dates

  • Historic Owen Theatre: Sept 7 – 17, 2023
  • School Tour Dates: TBD (Cast and Band must be available mornings on school days between Sept 7 – 18)

Rehearsals begin July 24th, Monday (Evenings), Tuesday – Friday (Mornings).

Audition Breakdown

Auditions will begin with a movement/dance call for all actors at 5:00pm. All actors must attend. Dress accordingly. This will be followed by audition packages, followed by callbacks with scenes and monologues from the show.

Note: Musicians may audition for only the band.

Auditionees should bring printed headshot and resume with theater and/or music experience.

Actors: Please prepare a 1-2 minute monologue from Shakespeare’s works, preferably in verse. Actors may audition using material from the show.

Actors/Musicians: Please prepare a 90 second monologue from Shakespeare’s works, preferably in verse. Actors may audition using material from the show. In addition, prepare a 90 second demonstration of musical ability in the style of the Celtic band “Omnia.” Full audition not to exceed 3 minutes.

Musicians: Please prepare a 2 minute demonstration of musical ability in the style of the Celtic band “Omnia.” Musicians may play as many instruments as desired in the time allotted.

Instrumentation Needed: Classical and acoustic guitar, world strings, Irish and world whistles/winds, various hand drums/percussion, didgeridoo.

Note: A guitar and drum will be provided at auditions. Please bring any other instruments.

Show Synopsis

The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict among four Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play which they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue.

Character Breakdown

Note: Musical and movement ability is a plus for all roles. All actors will play multiple roles, some varying genders, some in the band.

Oberon (20s-40s): Male. King of Fairies. At odds with his wife. Kingly, jealous, and conniving, yet takes pity on Helena. Doubled with Theseus.

Titania (20s-40s): Female. Queen of Fairies. At odds with her husband yet seeks resolution. Proud, womanly, strong-willed. Doubled with Hippolyta.

Robin/Puck (20s-30s): Any gender. A mischievous and magical spirit in Oberon’s employ. Delights in chaos. Strong dancer/mover. Small build. Athletic and acrobatic ability preferred. Doubled with Philostrate.

Hermia (20s): Female. Daughter of Egeus and in love with Lysander. Loyal, mild yet strong-willed and confident. Short build preferred. Strong Mover. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Lysander (20s): Male. In love with Hermia, they flee into the forest to escape her father. Caring, romantic, and valiant. Strong Mover. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Helena (20s): Female. Once betrothed to Demetrius, her confidence was crushed when he began to pursue Hermia. Loyal to a fault, peacemaker, passionate. Tall build preferred. Strong Mover. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Demetrius (20s): Male. Picked by Egeus to marry Hermia. Brash, rude, and even violent in his pursuits. Strong Mover. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Nick Bottom (20s-40s): Any gender. A weaver turned overconfident actor. Full of advice yet makes frequent mistakes. Comically, foolishly, and charmingly arrogant. Must have comedic ability.

Peter Quince (20s-40s): Any gender. A carpenter, and director of the mechanical’s rendition of Pyramus and Thisbe. Often usurped by the overconfident Bottom. Old, task oriented, people pleaser. Must be able to play an old man. Doubled with Egeus and Fairy Ensemble.

Theseus (20s-30s): Male. Duke of Athens, and conqueror of the Amazons. Sense of justice and reason, yet self-oriented. Doubled with Oberon.

Hippolyta (20s-30s): Female. Queen of the Amazons, now Theseus’s bride. A strong and measured woman, can disagree with and at times calm Theseus. Doubled with Titania.

Egeus (20s-40s): Any gender. Hermia’s overbearing and rigid father. Doubled with Peter Quince and Fairy Ensemble.

Francis Flute (20s-30s): Male. A bellows-mender. Young and aspiring. Looks up to Bottom. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Tom Snout (20s-30s): Female. A Tinker. Old and just over it. Must be able to play an old man. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Snug (20s-30s): Female. A Joiner. Old and fearful. Must be able to play an old man. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Robin Starveling (20s-30s): Female. A Tailor. Old and trying to do his best. Must be able to play an old man. Doubled with Fairy Ensemble.

Philostrate (20s-30s): Any gender. Theseus’s master of revels. Doubled with Robin/Puck.

Fairy Ensemble (20s-30s): Fairies that attend Oberon and Titania. Must have dance and/or movement ability. Doubled with various roles.

Band: A variety of world/celtic instruments to be played live for the show. Option to be doubled with various roles.

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