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Breakdown
Now in its fifth year, The Public Theater’s MOBILE SHAKESPEARE INITIATIVE is focused on bringing Shakespeare to non-traditional venues such as prisons, homeless shelters, and centers for disadvantaged youth around the tri-state area. Actors travel by company van and participate in set-up and striking of small scenic elements, props, and costumes. The company will present approximately six performances per week during the tour. The final three weeks will be played at The Public Theater with eight performances per week, and will be open to the general public.
Seeking a diverse group of collaborative, language-oriented actors who enjoy working in a physical style. All roles will double with multiple characters. Please submit qualified actors of all cultures and ages, disabled and non-disabled. Musical/instrumental skills a plus for all roles.
On the well-guarded border between Syracuse and Ephesus, where ignorance, fear, and prejudice has made crossing over a treacherous and life-threatening task, a few weary travelers are willing to take the risk in hopes of finding their long-lost family. When two sets of estranged identical twins encounter one another on the streets of Syracuse, a frantic and hilarious mess of mistaken identity and general mayhem ensues, and the task of reuniting a family proves more difficult—and hilarious— than anyone could ever imagine.
SEEKING:
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE/ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS/AS CAST:
30’s – 40’s. Male. Any ethnicity. To play ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE: After being separated as a child from his mother and twin brother, he has set out in search of his lost family. Sensitive, passionate, and feels keenly the loss of his family and his own displacement. Spontaneous and impulsive. Possesses a quick and violent temper which can rear its head at the drop of a hat. This role will also double with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS: Antipholus of Syracuse’s long lost twin, now a well-regarded merchant in Ephesus. A successful businessman with clout in the town. Confident, brash, outspoken. Very comfortable being in charge, and easily vexed when his authority is questioned. He possesses the same quick and violent temper as his brother, and is not afraid to use it to bully others in order to get what he wants. This is a role for an actor possessing great verbal/physical comedic skills.
ADRIANA/AS CAST:
30’s. Female. Any ethnicity. Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus. Headstrong, tough, and feisty. Fiercely stubborn, she’s not afraid to fight for what is hers, and refuses to back down when challenged. Loves her husband, and the sudden and strange changes in his behavior shock and trouble her. Prone to jealousy, and quick to jump to the worst and most dramatic conclusions, her mood can change drastically in an instant.
LUCIANA/2ND MERCHANT/AS CAST:
20’s – 30’s. Female. Any ethnicity. Adriana’s calmer, more phlegmatic sister. Patient, thoughtful and stolid. She thinks before she speaks and acts, and is able to see all sides of an argument. Grounds her sister, and helps her to see reason instead of panic. This role will double with 2nd MERCHANT: A merchant of Ephesus, eager to collect the dues that she is owed by Angelo.
EGEON/ANGELO/PINCH/AS CAST:
40’s – 50’s. Male. Any ethnicity. A role for a skilled character actor, who is comfortable working in a physical style and is able to delineate a line of roles. To play EGEON: A merchant of Syracuse. Ravaged by grief, and weary from travel and heartbreak. After having lost his wife and infant son in a shipwreck, he has been scouring foreign ports in search of news of his family. He has lost so much in his life that the threat of death means nothing to him. This role will also double with ANGELO: A goldsmith of Ephesus. Fair and responsible in his affairs, if a bit fussy. He keeps stock of his debts, and conducts himself professionally, and PINCH: A conjuring schoolmaster of questionable credentials. He believes that the devil is behind Antipholus’ transformation, and makes a shabby attempt to exorcise him. A charlatan.
SOLINA/LUCE/COURTESAN/EMILIA/AS CAST:
30’s – 50’s. Female. Any ethnicity. A role for a skilled character actor, who is comfortable working in a physical style and is able to delineate a line of roles. To play SOLINA: The Duchess of Ephesus. A dignified and powerful ruler. Although she is not afraid to be brutal when it is in the best interests of her people, she can find it in her power to bend the rules when the cause is just. This role will double with LUCE: Adriana’s kitchen maid. Unkempt, bawdy, robust and lusty. Not self-conscious in the least. In love with Dromio, and will stop at nothing to make him hers, also COURTESAN: Confident, bold, sexy. Tough and independent. A good head for business, and a keen eye for opportunity.
MUSICIAN/OFFICER/AS CAST:
20’s – 40’s. Male. Any ethnicity. A role for an extremely skilled musician and singer. This person will be primarily responsible for providing the music and soundscape for the entire piece. Must play multiple instruments that can be carried onstage (i.e. guitar, violin, trumpet, hand drums, etc.). Please make note of instruments on submission. This role will also double with OFFICER: a police officer of Ephesus, tasked with keeping the peace, and keeping the sometimes unruly citizens of Ephesus in line.
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The following role has been CAST. Actors auditioning may be considered as possible replacement if needed.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE/DROMIO OF EPHESUS/AS CAST:
This role has been CAST.
30’s – 40’s. Male. Any ethnicity. To play DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: The servant of Antipholus of Syracuse, whose twin brother was also lost in the very same storm, and is accompanying his master on his journey. Something of a wide-eyed innocent, although he has traveled far, his world is very small, and he is constantly awed and bewildered by the strange things he encounters in Ephesus. This role will double with DROMIO OF EPHESUS: The servant to Antipholus of Ephesus, and twin to Dromio of Syracuse. He is world weary, with a slightly gruff exterior, having borne the brunt of the foul tempers of his master and his mistress for years, but still a loyal servant. This is a role for an actor possessing great verbal/physical comedic skills. (CAST)
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