A Midsummer Night's Dream - Seaside Shakespeare Society
Open auditions for Seaside Shakespeare Society's inaugural performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"! Set against the backdrop of Newport's own historical Gilded Age of the 1900s, Midsummer is a spirited, fast paced story of enamored lovers, mysical fairies, and comical fools in an enchanted forest on a summer evening. The play will be directed by Emerson College BFA Directing candidate Morgan Catherine-Cecilia Capodilupo, and held outdoors at Trinity Church in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island.
The auditions will be held~
Monday, July 18th from 6-8:30 PM
Tuesday, July 19th from 6-8:30 PM
Actors ages 15 and up are welcome to attend either evening of the auditions. You may either prepare a classical monologue of your choice, or read from the audition sides that will be provided.
The auditions will be in Honeyman Hall on the campus of Trinity Church, Newport Rhode Island. It is the white building adjacent to the main church building. Parking is available to the rear of the building and on the street.
All roles are open, and we welcome actors of any level of experience to come and create with us!
Seaside Shakespeare Society is a brand new theatre company in Newport, founded by actress and director Morgan Catherine-Cecilia Capodilupo. It is a company that seeks to create a safe space for young adult and adult actors of all levels of experience to build community and foster positive and enriching artistic endeavors by bringing the works of William Shakespeare to the City By The Sea. While Midsummer will be the inaugural project, we hope to utilize this production as a springboard to bring more live theatre to Newport!
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN (All roles open)
Hermia- A young Athenian woman who wants nothing more than to wed her true love, Lysander. Don’t be fooled by her ingenue-like demeanor- this girl packs a punch when necessary, and knows exactly how to maneuver between damsel in distress and independent woman to get what she wants. Grace Kelly meets Hit Girl.
Helena- A young Athenian woman who is hopelessly in unrequited love with Demetrius. A girl who is actually quite unique and special, but her toxic comparisons to her best friend Hermia get in the way of her confidence. If given the choice between life and Demetrius, she’d definitely choose the latter. Allison from “Cry Baby” meets Elphaba.
Lysander- A bit rougher around the edges than his fellow contender for Hermia’s hand, Lysander is the boy your parents warned you about. For someone who is assumed to be so rebellious and unsafe, he actually genuinely wants to marry Hermia and stay with her, despite her mother’s insinuations. Danny Zuko meets Henry Hill from “Goodfellas”.
Demetrius- A clean cut and self assured youth, Demetrius is used to attention, especially female. He is quick to fight, as well as quite show-offish about his wealth and titles. Don’t write him off as a complete loser, though. Perhaps by the end of the play he has made the greatest transformation of all - realizing his true love was alongside Helena. Chuck Bass meets Harvey Dent.
Egeus- Hermia’s mother, and a stickler for detail, most certainly a tiny loophole that would prevent her daughter from marrying Lysander, the man she loves. A social climbing, outspoken woman, Egeus will ruffle as many feathers as she needs for her voice to be heard and heeded. Mama Rose meets Elizabeth Pankhurst.
Theseus- A self assured and confident community leader who respects the ancient Athenian laws and traditions, but doesn't feel the need to enforce the more draconian ones. Don’t be fooled by his preppy, buttoned up exterior. This is the man that the Athenians elected, and this is the man that they need the most right now. John F. Kennedy meets Alexander Hamilton.
Hippolyta- Theseus’s bride, a headstrong woman who is dying to break the mold of the political wife role she’s expected to assume. Definitely believes “The man may be the head of the household, but the woman is the neck, and the neck can turn the head any way she wants.” Jackie O meets Claire Underwood.
Oberon- The wild and mercurial king of the fairies. Has an insane jealous streak, and is more than willing to get even on his wife, Titania, with a practical joke or two. However, under all of his seemingly vengeful actions, he truly does love Titania and care deeply for her. An actor who is comfortable with music (vocal or instrumental) is the ideal candidate for this role. Sid Vicious meets Axel von Fersen.
Titania- The bewitching and powerful queen of the fairies. Forever embroiled in conflict with her husband, Oberon, she actually somewhat enjoys the tension that these tiffs cause between them. She isn't afraid to use her feminine wiles, as well, which are just as powerful as her magic. An actor who is comfortable with music (vocal or instrumental) is the ideal candidate for this role. Angela Bassett meets Cleopatra.
Puck- An attendant to Oberon who acts as his court jester. Whip smart, witty, and deviously sly, Puck is the perfect agent to do the bidding of Oberon’s mischief. An actor who is comfortable with music (vocal or instrumental) and comfortable with acrobatics / juggling / extended physicality is the ideal candidate for this role. The Emcee from “Cabaret” meets the entire cast of the Diane Paulus revival of “Pippin”.
Nick Bottom- A community theatre nightmare, Nick Bottom is the self-appointed leading actor in the craftsmen’s play. He believes himself to be destined for fame, when in reality, he is nothing more than a lowly weaver, and quite the ass. Don Quixote meets John Barrymore (or so he thinks).
Francis Flute- The leading lady in the craftsmen’s play who is absolutely repulsed by anything having to do with Nick Bottom, whom she despises. The diva of the craftsmen, who is forever forcing her sister Thelma Snout to attend on her needs. Carlotta Giudicelli from “Phantom of the Opera” meets an actual poodle.
Peter (Patria) Quince- The director of the craftsmen’s play who just simply is trying her best to keep the whole thing from falling apart. Genuinely wants to see her artistic vision succeed, and truly believes that Bottom can be the one to fulfill it. Corky St. Clair meets Michael Scott.
Robin Starveling, Thelma (Tom) Snout, & Elias (Evangeline) Snug- Three other members of the craftsmen’s acting troupe. Starveling is a gruff person with a hairpin temper. Thelma Snout, sister to Flute, is a meek and quiet woman who later is plagued by stage fright. Elias Snug is a simple young man and the youngest member of the acting troupe who frets if he will be able to memorize his lines. Magenta, Columbia and Riff Raff meet The Stones from “Eurydice”.
Philostrate- The Master of Revels in the house of Theseus, Philostrate is an overworked, underpaid party planner to the stars. While his position in society is quite low, he has an excellent time lording it over those he deems “beneath him”. The Maitre’d from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” meets Tim Gunn.
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, & Mustardseed- Followers of Titania and members of her fairy band.. quite literally. These are people who are devotees to magic, music, and the spirit of Bohemia. Actors who are comfortable with music (vocal or instrumental) are ideal candidates for these roles. The Mamas & The Papas meet Burning Man.
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