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Breakdown
Now in its fourth 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.
PERICLES is one of Shakespeare’s later romances which explores, through a sometimes dizzying narrative, themes of human suffering and rebirth. The landscape and tone of the play shifts constantly as Pericles is buffeted by circumstances and by the capriciousness of the elements from country to country on an epic voyage of self-discovery. This story is narrated by Gower, whose singular voice will be embodied and interpreted by the entire company in turn in this production.
We are 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. The soundscape of the piece will be created entirely by actors’ voices, so we are especially interested in actors who are comfortable singing a cappella and/or harmonizing in a group.
SEEKING:
PERICLES AND ENSEMBLE
30s. Any ethnicity. Male. Prince of Tyre. Intelligent, capable, confident, and bold. When these traits put him in a dangerous position, he’s forced to flee and is set off on a journey that tests his character, patience, and luck. Naturally resilient and unflagging, the trials he faces in losing his loved ones eventually wear him down, leaving him despondent and world-weary, until his ultimate redemption restores his inherent good character. This role will also participate in the ensemble storytelling as a part of the collective voice of GOWER.
THAISA AND ENSEMBLE
30s. Any ethnicity. Female. Princess of Pentapolis, daughter of Simonides, eventual wife of Pericles. Bright and warm, also determined and self-aware. A kind, intelligent woman who knows what she wants and asks for it. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to BAWD. Proprietress of a brothel in Mytilene. Commanding, goal-oriented, vulgar. Also likely to double with others including PHILOTEN and lords.
MARINA AND ENSEMBLE
20s. Any ethnicity. Female. Pericles and Thaisa’s daughter. Virtuous, graceful, well-bred. Young, innocent, and committed to her values. Strong in the face of adversity. Has the brain, mouth, and charisma to change hearts and minds. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to LYCHORIDA, Thaisa’s nurse, who accompanies her from Pentapolis to return with Pericles. Dutiful and loyal. Also likely to double with others including ANTIOCHUS’ DAUGHTER, knights, and lords.
LYSIMACHUS AND ENSEMBLE
30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Male. Governor of Mytilene. While not an entirely virtuous man, his interaction with Pericles’ daughter, Marina, causes him to reevaluate his practices. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to CLEON, Governor of Tarsus. Ruler of a land that is facing famine. Worn down and doing his best to lead his people. Pays his debt to Pericles by raising Marina alongside his own daughter and providing her education, but ultimately, passive, submissive, and disloyal. Also likely to double with others including ESCANES, pirates, lords, sailors, and gentlemen.
DIONYZA AND ENSEMBLE
30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Female. Cleon’s wife. Deceptive and selfish. Willing to do for others until it affects her own life negatively. Calculating and controlling. Hires an assassin to murder Marina in order to elevate her own daughter’s status. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to DIANA. The Roman virgin goddess. Appears to Pericles in a vision to guide him to find his lost wife. Also likely to double with others including knights and thugs.
HELICANUS AND ENSEMBLE
30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Male. A lord of Tyre and Pericles’ most trusted advisor. Intelligent, pragmatic, and wise. Watches over Tyre while Pericles is away, and remains loyal throughout, with Pericles’ best interests always at the forefront. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to fishermen, knights, sailors, servants, and pirates.
ANTIOCHUS AND ENSEMBLE
40s. Any ethnicity. Male. A king who is carrying on an incestuous relationship with his daughter and who does not hesitate to have anyone who guesses his secret assassinated. Proud, cunning, and quick on his feet. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to CERIMON, A lord of Ephesus and a healer. Restores Pericles’ wife, Thaisa’s, life when her body is washed to shore and aids her in finding a home in Diana’s temple. Kind, selfless, and helpful. Also likely to double with others including LEONINE, BOULT, gentlemen, fishermen, knights, and lords.
SIMONIDES AND ENSEMBLE
30s-40s. Any ethnicity. Male. King of Pentapolis. A respected and beloved leader. Boisterous, generous, optimistic. Committed to the happiness of his daughter, Thaisa, and his entire kingdom. This role will double with others, likely including but not limited to THALIARD, King Antiochus’ lord, sent to track and kill Pericles. Serves his king out of fear and intimidation, not loyalty. Also likely to double with others including PANDER, TYRIAN, gentlemen, pirates, and sailors.
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