Orlando Shakespeare Theater
CONTRACT
LOA See salaries in breakdown.
SPT
SEEKING
Equity actors for Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 2021-22 season (see breakdown).
Orlando Shakes is committed to building diversity and inclusion onstage and throughout our organization. We encourage gender diverse and color conscious casting. Actors of all ethnic backgrounds and all genders are encouraged to attend our auditions, and we especially encourage actors from underrepresented groups to audition.
INSTRUCTIONS
SEE PREPARATION IN BREAKDOWN. Submissions are due by Monday June 28th at 11:59 pm ET and will be reviewed in the order they are received. Actors may submit by visiting https://auditionsmanager.com/submission.php?AU=b4MFVz514 (preferred method) or by emailing the link to the video and PDFs of their headshot and resume to auditions@orlandoshakes.org.
Deadline: Mon, Jun 28, 2021 (EST)
SUBMIT TO
PERSONNEL
Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director and “Christmas Carol” Co-Director /”Much Ado” Director
Anne Hering, “Every Brilliant Thing” Director
Shonn McCloud, “Intimate Apparel” Director
Brandon Yagel, “Christmas Carol” Co-Director
Joshian Morales, “The Fantasticks” Director/Choreographer
Paige Gober, Company Manager
OTHER
Orlando Shakes will continue to implement COVID safety guidelines in compliance with CDC and AEA standards. All rehearsals will be held indoors and performances will take place indoors in the Margeson Theater; our spaces pass Equity HVAC requirements. To qualify for employment, actors and stage managers may be required to provide proof of vaccination to the extent allowable by law.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
BREAKDOWN
PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Record one video no longer than two minutes in total. Choose one side from any of the characters listed from any of the plays or a monologue of your own choice. Sides are available at https://www.orlandoshakes.org/about-us/auditions/. The preferred video format is an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link; videos that need to be downloaded to watch will not be viewed. At the beginning of the video, please state your name and what show/role(s) you are auditioning for (you may add additional characters that you did not record sides for). Please combine all recordings into a single video.
For “The Fantasticks,” prepare one of the Fantasticks acting sides listed on our website. Singers/actors should additionally prepare one of the music sides listed on the website. Video length for Fantasticks sides combined should be no longer than 3 minutes total. Actors auditioning for the role of “The Mute” should submit a headshot and resume for consideration. There may be additional dancing at callbacks.
To audition for “Henry IV, Part 2” (Bare Bard), actors can submit a Shakespearean monologue of their choice, no longer than 2 minutes in length.
For all other shows, prepare the side for one character of your choosing from the sides listed on our website or a monologue of your own choice less than 2 minutes in length.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING
By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Director: Anne Hering
Salaries: AEA SPT 8 $638
1st reh: 08/31/2021. Runs 09/24-10/16/2021. Margeson Theater.
NARRATOR – Any age, any gender, any ethnicity. The Narrator can be played by a person of any gender, age, or ethnicity. In the first production, the Narrator was performed by a British man, so appears as such in the text. Actors may use their own natural accents for auditions.
INTIMATE APPAREL
By Lynn Nottage
Director: Shonn McCloud
Salaries: AEA SPT 8 $638
1st reh: 10/05/2021. Runs 10/29 - 11/20/2021. Margeson Theater.
ESTHER – Female-identifying, 35, African-American. A New York City seamstress specializing in intimate apparel for women of all social classes. Esther finds herself in a lonely marriage of unrequited love; turning over her hopes, dreams and ultimately her life’s savings to a brazen philanderer. Self-described as unattractive, Esther is plain in appearance, warm, sympathetic, steadfast, resourceful and strong. (This role requires intimate contact.)
MRS. DICKSON – Female-identifying, 50s, African-American. The widowed owner of the rooming house where Esther lives. Mrs. Dickson provides care and support for the women of her establishment. Motherly, strong-willed, proper and well put together - doesn’t mind sticking her nose in other people’s business.
MRS. VAN BUREN – Female-identifying, 30s, white American. Attractive, high-society wife who can’t manage to keep her husband’s attention. Mrs. Van Buren employs Esther to sew lingerie for her. In need of intimacy and someone to confide in, she finds a friend in Esther and as their relationship grows, her feelings towards Esther become more amorous. Striking in appearance, bold, and troubled. (This role requires intimate contact.)
MR. MARKS – Male-identifying, 30s, Romanian Jewish immigrant. A handsome orthodox Jew, Mr. Marks sells beautiful fabrics out of his home and treasures the fascinating stories he learns about them. Esther and Mr. Marks are drawn to one another, despite their cultural and racial differences. Mystique yet calming presence, grounded, gentle, and sensitive. Eastern European Accent Required. (This role requires intimate contact.)
MAYME – Female-identifying, 30s, African-American. A stunning prostitute and saloon singer who had dreams of becoming a ragtime piano player, close friend to Esther. Mayme has led a hard life but boasts of the independence her livelihood has offered. Bawdy, vibrant, and endearing. Full-figured actors are particularly encouraged to submit. (This role requires intimate contact.)
GEORGE – Male-identifying, 30s, Barbadian immigrant. Esther’s penpal turned husband after proposing to her in writing while working on the Panama Canal. George longs to escape his current position in Barbados to achieve his American dream. Smooth talking, rough, impulsive, and prideful. Barbadian Accent Required. (This role requires intimate contact.)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Jim Helsinger, Based on the novel by Charles Dickens
Directors: Brandon Yagel & Jim Helsinger
Salaries: AEA LOA $746 (20/21 rate, 21/22 rate pending)
1st reh: 11/09/2021. Runs 12/03 - 12/24/2021. Margeson Theater.
EBENEZER SCROOGE – Male-identifying, Any Ethnicity, 60s-80s. A rich but cheap, conniving merchant, a cruel man that cares nothing for other people, who changes to a loving person overnight. British RP accent required.
MARLEY / OLD JOE / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 60s-80s. Jacob Marley – The spirit of Scrooge’s business partner, now wearing the crushing chains of his sins. British RP accent. Old Joe – pawn shop owner, disgusting low-life, Cockney accent.
BOB CRATCHIT / MERCHANT 1 / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 40-50. Bob Cratchit – Clerk to Scrooge. Middle class British accent. A very kind, humble, poor man. Merchant 1 - A rich disdainful merchant. British RP accent. Also plays various characters.
GHOST OF XMAS PRESENT / FEZZIWIG / JOHN / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 40-50. Christmas Present - An oversized giant of a spirit, strong, full of laughter and love. British RP accent. Fezziwig – Happy middle class merchant, laughing and jolly. British middle class or Irish accent. John - a poor debtor to Scrooge. Cockney, Irish or Scottish accent. Also plays various characters.
FRED / BELLE’S HUSBAND / MERCHANT 2 / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s. Fred – Scrooge’s nephew, a kind young businessman, determined to keep up his spirits. Belle’s husband - a kind, loving middle class man. Merchant 2 - A rich disdainful merchant. Also plays various characters. British accents required.
YOUNG SCROOGE / FUTURE / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 20s. Young Scrooge - A young, neglected man whose keen eye for business undermines his heart and humanity. British RP accent. Future - the most formidable and terrifying of the spirits. Silent, ominous. Also plays various characters.
MRS. CRATCHIT / MRS. FEZZIWIG / CHARITY COLLECTOR / ENSEMBLE – Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. 40-50. Mrs. Cratchit – wife of Bob Cratchit, a kind woman, crushed by poverty. British middle class accent. Charity Collector – a rich jolly woman, collecting donations for the poor. British RP accent. Also plays various characters.
BELLE / CHARITY COLLECTOR 2 / CHARWOMAN / ENSEMBLE – Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. 20s. Belle – Scrooge’s fiancée, a strong young woman who breaks their engagement. British RP accent. Charity Collector – a rich woman, collecting donations for the poor. Charwoman - lowlife or London, steals Scrooge’s belongings after his death and pawns them. Cockney Accent. Also plays various characters.
PAST / MARTHA / CAROLINE / ENSEMBLE – Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. teenage-early 20s. Martha – Bob Cratchit’s oldest daughter, fun loving but poor. British middle class accent. Christmas Past – A kind, playful spirit, childlike. British RP accent. Caroline - debtor’s wife. Cockney, Irish or Scottish accent. Also plays various characters.
FRED’S WIFE / LAUNDRESS / ENSEMBLE - Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. 30-40 years old. Fred’s Wife - loving, devoted, full of fun. British RP or Irish accent. Laundress - lowlife of London, steals Scrooge’s belongings after his death and pawns them. Cockney Accent. Also plays various characters.
CHILD ACTOR ROLES
FAN / LUCY / ENSEMBLE – Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. 7-9 years old. Fan – Scrooge’s sister, she is dying but still luminous with love. British RP accent. Lucy Cratchit - Full of hope and fun loving. British middle class accent. Also plays various characters. British accents required.
BELINDA / ADDY / BEGGAR / ENSEMBLE – Female-identifying. Any ethnicity. 12-15 years old. Belinda Cratchit - Full of hope, but also a bit sassy, a teenager. British middle class accent. Addy - Male-identifying. A young student at Scrooge’s boarding school. British RP accent. Also plays Beggar Boy and Belle’s Daughter. British accents required.
TINY TIM / JOHN / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 7-9 years old. Tiny Tim – young, sickly son of Bob Cratchit. Very sweet and kind to others, cherubic. British middle class accent. John - Male-identifying. A young student at Scrooge’s boarding school. British RP accent. Also plays various characters.
PETER / BOY SCROOGE / TURKEY BOY / ENSEMBLE – Male-identifying. Any ethnicity. 11-13 years old. Peter Cratchit - one of the Cratchit children. British middle class accent. Boy Scrooge - A young schoolboy. British RP accent. Turkey Boy – an excitable young street urchin. Cockney accent. Also plays various characters.
SWEET WATER TASTE
By Gloria Bond Clunie
Director: TBA
Salaries: AEA SPT 8 $638 minimum
1st reh: 12/14/2021. Runs 1/07 - 1/22/2022. Margeson Theater.
All hell—and a little bit of heaven—break loose when Elijah Beckford, a prominent Southern Black undertaker, approaches his white cousin and demands to be buried in ‘the family cemetery.’ (Think Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings in the Obama era.) This serious comedy takes a look at the modern racial divide as two families find the meaning in their shared history. The play contains strong language, racial slurs and confederate iconography. Seeking strong actors that can play the fine line between drama and comedy.
ELIJAH BECKFORD – Male-identifying, 60’s, black. A strong willed patriarch, successful undertaker and businessman. Stubborn and very proud. His great, great, great grandmother, Carrie Beckford, a slave, had four children with Charlie Beckford, the great, great, great grandfather of the Charlie Beckford in the play. After almost dying of a heart attack at the top of the play, Elijah decides he wants to be buried in the private Beckford family cemetery.
IOLA BECKFORD - Female-identifying, 60’s, black. Wife and loving partner of Elijah; smart, tough. Fiercely loyal to her husband, though he can try her patience. (Pronounced “I-owe-la”).
NATHAN BECKFORD – Male-identifying, 30’s, black. Son of Elijah and Iola; Bianca’s older brother. Smart, loyal to his father, undertaker.
BIANCA BECKFORD / CARRIE BECKFORD – Bianca Beckford- Female-identifying, 30’s, black. Daughter of Elijah and Iola; smart, lawyer. Carrie Beckford- spirit of the great, great, great grandmother of Elijah beautiful, a sultry (not slutty) sexy, an “angel from another world,” who speaks like sweet hickory smoke and moves like liquid love in a 103 year old body.
CHARLIE BECKFORD – Male-identifying, 60’s, white. Owner of Beckford plantation; farmer, businessman. Has a dignified veneer, but can be quick to temper and reveal his prejudices and bigotry. He is related to Elijah Beckford through his great, great, great great grandfather and Carrie Beckford. He is determined not to allow Elijah to be buried in the private Beckford family cemetery.
ELIZABETH BECKFORD – Female-identifying, 60’s, white. Wife of Charlie, southern lady with a touch of steel.
CHARLIEBOY BECKFORD – Male-identifying, 30’s, white. Charlie Beckford, Jr.; son of Charlie and Elizabeth; “a Junior.” A cheeky lush.
THE FANTASTICKS
Book by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt, Lyrics by Tom Jones
Director/Choreographer: Joshian Morales, Music Director: John Cavazos
Salaries: AEA LOA $746 (20/21 rate, 21/22 rate pending)
1st reh: 1/11/2022. Runs 2/04 - 2/26/2022. Margeson Theater.
EL GALLO (The Narrator)
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. Male-identifying, Any Ethnicity, 30 to 50. A rakish, handsome, sophisticated gallant and narrator of the show. He is warm, cordial, and inviting to the audience, but has his own darker moments. He aids the performers in orchestrating the story. Baritone.
LUISA (The Girl)
Female-identifying, 18 to 25. Soprano. A button-maker’s young and pretty daughter, she is a romantic idealist who falls in love with Matt. She is naive, yet honest and tender. This role may require intimate contact. African-American, Afro-Latina, and Mixed Race actors particularly encouraged to apply.
MATT (The Boy)
Male-identifying, 18-25. Baritone/Baritenor. An innocent, young man who is searching for love and adventure. A bright guy, but naive and even foolish at times, approaching situations with a false bravado. This role may require intimate contact. Actors of color particularly encouraged to apply.
HUCKLEBEE (The Boy's Father)
Male-Identifying, 40 to 60. Bass-Baritone/Character Actor. A former boisterous navy man and meticulous gardener who fakes a fight with Bellomy in hopes of getting their children to fall in love. Actors of color particularly encouraged to apply.
BELLOMY (The Girl's Father)
Male-identifying or Female-Identifying, 40 to 60. Character Actor. A fastidious button-maker and also a picky gardener who fakes a fight with Hucklebee in hopes of getting their children together. Black/African-American, Afro-Latinx/Latinx, and Mixed Race actors particularly encouraged to apply.
HENRY (The Actor)
Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 50 to 70. An aging, over-the-top thespian who specializes in reciting Shakespeare, he is a commedia clown; his world is the stage and he knows no other reality.
MORTIMER (The Man Who Dies)
Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 30 to 50. Henry's goofy sidekick and another former actor who specializes in stage deaths. A commedia clown, his world is the stage and he does not live in reality. Physical comedy experience is a plus.
THE MUTE
Female-identifying, any ethnicity, 20 to 50. A speechless presence who watches and aids in the execution of our play through dance and other physical storytelling. Must be an excellent dancer and storyteller. Actors auditioning for the role of “The Mute” should submit a headshot and resume for consideration.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
Director: Jim Helsinger
Salaries: AEA LOA $746 (20/21 rate, 21/22 rate pending)
1st reh: 12/14/2021. Runs 1/07 - 1/22/2022. Margeson Theater.
All ethnicities are encouraged to audition for all roles.
BENEDICK – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 35-55. Rakish soldier. Very comic and full of wit. In love with Beatrice but will not admit it. Swears he will never marry. Good with comedy and language.
BEATRICE – Female-identifying, any ethnicity, 35-50. Razor sharp wit. Reluctant to love, refuses to acknowledge her attraction to Benedick. Good with comedy and language.
CLAUDIO – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 20s. Young, rash, naive, innocent lover.
HERO – Female-identifying, any ethnicity, 20s. Innocent ingenue. In love with Claudio.
LEONATO – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 60s. Father of Hero. Strong actor. Able to play comedy and tragedy.
ANTONIO – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 70s. Brother to Leonato. Too old to fight, but still wants to.
DON PEDRO – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 40-50. A noble count. Good comic, but also able to play dark and serious.
DON JOHN / SEXTON – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 30-45. Younger evil brother of Don Pedro. Rotten to the core.
BORACHIO – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 20s-30s. Henchman to Don John. Lover to Margaret. Creates the plot that ruins Hero, but later is full of regret.
CONRADE – Any gender, any ethnicity, 20s-30s. Don John’s follower.
MARGARET – Female-identifying, any ethnicity, 30-40. Brazen saucy servant and lover to Borachio.
URSULA – Female-identifying, any ethnicity, 60s. Older servant to Leonato.
DOGBERRY – Any gender, any ethnicity, any age. Master clown and good with malapropisms.
VERGES – Any gender, any ethnicity, 75-90. Very old. Sidekick to Dogberry. Comic.
WATCH 1 / MESSENGER 1 / BOY – Any gender, any ethnicity, 14-17. Watch 1 - Comic. Boy/Messenger - young exuberant youth.
WATCH 2 / BALTHAZAR – Male-identifying, any ethnicity, 20s-30s. Balthazar - A soldier. Singer-guitar player. Watch 2 - Comic.
SOLDIER / WATCH 3 / SERVANT – Any gender, any ethnicity, any age. Soldier - member of Don Pedro's party. Watch 3 - Comic.
SOLDIER / FRIAR FRANCIS / GUEST – Any gender, any ethnicity, any age. Soldier - member of Don Pedro's party. Friar - kind, thoughtful, loving and wise. Good with language and verse.
HENRY IV, PART 2 (BARE BARD)
By William Shakespeare
Director: none
Salaries: AEA LOA $746 (20/21 rate, 21/22 rate pending)
1st reh: 12/14/2021. Runs 1/07 - 1/22/2022. Margeson Theater.
Henry IV, Part 2 continues the Fire and Reign series at Orlando Shakes - 7 plays in order from Richard II through Richard III. This production is an “original practices” or “bare bard” production with no director or designers. It features a short rehearsal process and performance run. All rehearsals, blocking, and design are determined by the actors. Actors with experience with this type of Shakespearean production are particularly encouraged to apply.
HENRY IV (Any gender, 40s-50s. Any ethnicity.) An ailing monarch who dies toward the end of the play. Anxious to shore up support for their throne, but confident in their right. Quick to judge. Has a difficult relationship with Hal, the heir to the throne. Also plays Rumour and Epilogue.
PRINCE HAL (Male-identifyig, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) Young and rebellious, but whip-smart and well-spoken. Still figuring out what he thinks of the world and his place in it. Avoiding responsibility. Good with verse and humor.
FALSTAFF
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Male-identifying, 40s-60s. Any ethnicity) Sage among fools and fool among sages. Falstaff is a brilliant sophist, able to turn the world on its ear to serve his own sense of morality in a few turns of phrase. Excellent comic character of huge size.
NED POINS
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) Clever, tricky and roguish, with a deep fondness for Hal. Also plays Davy, Justice Shallow’s servant, and a Messenger.
HASTINGS / SILENCE (Male identifying, 30s-50s. Any ethnicity.) Hastings - A rebel against the king. He agrees to disperse the rebel army once Prince John has sworn to rectify the wrongs the rebels complain of. This overconfidence gets his head chopped off. Silence: a Justice of the Peace, whose daughter has Shallow as a godfather. As befits his name, he does not speak much, but he enjoys singing, especially once he has had a few drinks.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Female-identifying, 40s-60s. Any ethnicity.) A bawdy tavern hostess with a quick tongue. Also plays Westmoreland - A trusted advisor to the king.
DOLL TEARSHEET (Female-identifying, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) Falstaff’s favorite bawdy tavern wench. Also plays Feeble, a countryman drafted to the King’s army.
LADY PERCY (Female-identifying, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) Fierce wife of Hotspur- his match in pride and verbal prowess, and his superior in intelligence. Also plays Humphrey of Gloucester, son to the king, and Shadow, a countryman drafted to the King’s army.
JOHN OF LANCASTER
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) A loyal and capable soldier. Younger sibling to Prince Hal. Also plays Fang, hired by Hostess Quickly to arrest Falstaff for debt.
LADY NORTHUMBERLAND (Female-identifying, 20s-30s. Any ethnicity.) Wife to the Earl of Northumberland. Also plays Mowbray, Earl Marshal of England, who joins the rebellion against the King.
HENRY PERCY, EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 50s-70s. Any ethnicity.) Parent of Hotspur, part of the rebellion against King Henry IV. Also plays Justice Shallow, a Justice of the Peace, a thin, decaying elder verging on senility.
WARWICK/GOWER/BULLCALF (Any gender, 20s-40s. Any ethnicity.) Warwick is one of King Henry’s nobles. Loyal, reasonable and optimistic. Gower brings news to the Lord Chief Justice that the King and Prince Harry have returned from the wars in Wales. Bullcalf is a citizen drafted to the King’s army.
ARCHBISHOP SCROOP
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 20s-40s. Any ethnicity.) A rebel against the king. They are not as bright as they think they are, nor a good judge of character. Also plays Peto (a follower of Falstaff) and Officer 1.
LORD CHIEF JUSTICE
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 30s-50s. Any ethnicity.) Dignified, honorable, and unfailingly moral, the Lord Chief Justice is a powerful advisor in King Henry. Also plays Mouldy, a citizen drafted to the King’s army.
FALSTAFF’S PAGE
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, Teens. Any ethnicity.) Young page to Falstaff. A good disciple to their master, they learn wit and insults from him, and serve him well.
BARDOLPH
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 30s-60s. Any ethnicity.) The perennial sidekick of Falstaff, happy for someone to look up to and obey, even if they enjoy getting a few digs in themselves. A red-faced perpetually drunken clown.
PISTOL
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, 20s-50s. Any ethnicity.) Hotheaded follower of Falstaff. A loud, braggart. Also plays Coleville, one of the rebels against King Henry IV.
FRANCIS
THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED.
(Any gender, teens - 20’s. Any ethnicity.) A tapster in the tavern. Naive and the butt of many jokes. Also plays Thomas of Clarence, one of King Henry’s children, Snare, hired by Hostess Quickly to arrest Falstaff for debt, and Officer 2.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
Videos
