THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Submission - Shakespeare Theatre Co. Auditions

LORT

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE – Photo / Resume Request

Shakespeare Theatre Co. (Washington, DC) LORT B+; $832/week minimum

Artistic Director: Michael Kahn

Director: Ethan McSweeney

By William Shakespeare

Casting Director: Pat McCorkle

Casting Associates: Joe Lopick, Carter Niles

1^st rehearsal: 5/17/11. Runs: 6/21 - 7/24/11 (possible extension to 7/31/11) at the Harman Center for the Arts Lansburgh Theatre

NYC auditions will be held during the week of February 1, 2011, by appointment only

Seeking submissions from Actors' Equity Members only for these auditions.

For consideration, email picture and resume to:

SUBMISSION.MCCORKLECASTING@GMAIL.COM

Indicate in subject line: “MERCHANT OF VENICE – NYC appointments / AEA self submit”

Seeking:

Antonio:

Late 40s-50s. The Merchant. Dotes on Bassanio, with whom he is secretly in love, and who he indulges with money and gifts. Antonio and Shylock are two sides of a similar coin. Were they not separated by religion and culture, they would probably be colleagues.

Bassanio:

Late 20s Early 30s. A bit of a hustler, he is young and handsome and relies on his looks and charm. An opportunistic businessman and a bit of a schemer, he’s straight, but he is not above leading Antonio on to get what he can. He keeps placing bets that don’t work out.

Solanio/Salerio:

30s-40s. Two more Venetians of Antonio's class, though not as young or pretty as Bassanio. Rich and relatively stylish. Funny and witty. Must understudy.

Lorenzo:

20s. Handsome young leading man and Venetian gentleman. Completely infatuated with Shylock's daughter Jessica and romanticizes her exoticness, only to find that we are all the same when the romance wears off. Ability to play guitar a bonus.

Shylock:

Late 40s-50s. An orthodox Jew and a moneylender. Will do business in the modern world, but otherwise limits his interaction with it.

Tubal:

Late 30s-40s. An orthodox Jew. Perhaps he eggs Shylock on in his challenge to Christian authority. Possible understudy of Shylock.

Portia:

20s. Radiant, brave, and incisively intelligent; brimming with passion and a true generosity of spirit. A new woman forced by her father's will to play by old rules. Like an American abroad, she believes in her own power to fix things.

Nerissa:

20s. Portia's waiting-maid and loyal confidante - the key person in her entourage. She is clever, witty, and bawdy. She has spirit, verve, and an earthy common sense. Though she gives friendly advice, she is dependent on Portia for money and employment.

Jessica:

20s. Shylock's daughter: she is intelligent, full of longing, and has a deeply romantic heart. Her resentment of her father and the constraints of a rigidly orthodox life style prompts her to elope. Possible understudy of Portia.

Lancelot Gobbo:

Early 20s-mid 30s. Servant to Shylock, but leaves to serve Bassanio. Funny and observant. A wiseass comedic servant. Must have great verbal and physical comic skills/timing.

Prince of Arragon:

Late 20s–early 30s. Arrogant Spanish nobleman and suitor to Portia. He is pompous, haughty, and thinks he is superior to others. Comic Ability, but not just a broad comic turn. He might be VERY young.

Prince of Morocco:

Late 20s-early 30s. A strong and handsome African or Arab man who has the bearing of a king. Entitled. Must have comic ability.