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Shakespeare in the Heights Auditions
April 1 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Shakespeare in the Heights is a non-profit organization with a mission to serve the local community by
providing family entertainment to enrich and inspire through contemporary stagings of Shakespeare. All
positions are volunteer.
providing family entertainment to enrich and inspire through contemporary stagings of Shakespeare. All
positions are volunteer.
Producer/Artistic Director: David Meadows [email protected]
Stage Manager: Mary Carlson
Director: Jene Rebbin Shaw (937) 901-1798; [email protected]
Stage Manager: Mary Carlson
Director: Jene Rebbin Shaw (937) 901-1798; [email protected]
Twelfth Night features romance, revenge, unrequited love, disguise, despair, family lost and found, lovers lost
and found- and yes it is a comedy! Viola, stranded and alone, must make her own destiny in the big city. This
production will set the story in modern day New York City, while following a minimalist approach to scenic
elements (in the original Elizabethan tradition). Actors are asked to participate in selecting and supplying their
own costume items.
and found- and yes it is a comedy! Viola, stranded and alone, must make her own destiny in the big city. This
production will set the story in modern day New York City, while following a minimalist approach to scenic
elements (in the original Elizabethan tradition). Actors are asked to participate in selecting and supplying their
own costume items.
– Callbacks as needed Thurs, April 4th (if you are needed at callbacks, you will receive a call or text
message Tuesday evening)
– Rehearsals: Mon-Thurs evening, 7-10pm; community center at 4301 Powell Rd or Eichelberger Amphitheater (depending on weather)
– First rehearsal will be Tues April 9th at 7pm (no rehearsal April 8th, due to solar eclipse)
– Those cast will be notified by Sunday April 7th
– Performances: Fri June 7th at 8pm, Sat June 8th at 8pm, Sun June 9th at 2pm & 8pm
Performances are at Eichelberger Amphitheater at The Heights (8625 Brandt Pike, YMCA campus) , so
we are looking for actors with strong speaking voices, ability to move well in an outdoor space, and any
special talents you have to share!
– Also seeking actors to perform sonnets, monologues, and interactive improvisation at the Huber YMCA
farmers market on June 1st & 8th, 10am-2pm
message Tuesday evening)
– Rehearsals: Mon-Thurs evening, 7-10pm; community center at 4301 Powell Rd or Eichelberger Amphitheater (depending on weather)
– First rehearsal will be Tues April 9th at 7pm (no rehearsal April 8th, due to solar eclipse)
– Those cast will be notified by Sunday April 7th
– Performances: Fri June 7th at 8pm, Sat June 8th at 8pm, Sun June 9th at 2pm & 8pm
Performances are at Eichelberger Amphitheater at The Heights (8625 Brandt Pike, YMCA campus) , so
we are looking for actors with strong speaking voices, ability to move well in an outdoor space, and any
special talents you have to share!
– Also seeking actors to perform sonnets, monologues, and interactive improvisation at the Huber YMCA
farmers market on June 1st & 8th, 10am-2pm
Character Descriptions:
VIOLA (often disguised as CESARIO): Female, age 18-early 30s. Twin sister to Sebastian. The heroine who finds herself
shipwrecked and stranded in a strange city with no money or friends. Disguising herself as a young male messenger (think
NYC bicycle messenger) – Cesario, she uses her talents and wit to find employment from the rich and powerful Orsino. She
proceeds, unexpectedly, to fall in love with Orsino all while receiving the unwanted affections of the beautiful and popular
Olivia whom Orsino himself seeks to woo. Possible accent (British, Spanish?)
VIOLA (often disguised as CESARIO): Female, age 18-early 30s. Twin sister to Sebastian. The heroine who finds herself
shipwrecked and stranded in a strange city with no money or friends. Disguising herself as a young male messenger (think
NYC bicycle messenger) – Cesario, she uses her talents and wit to find employment from the rich and powerful Orsino. She
proceeds, unexpectedly, to fall in love with Orsino all while receiving the unwanted affections of the beautiful and popular
Olivia whom Orsino himself seeks to woo. Possible accent (British, Spanish?)
OLIVIA: Female, age 20s-early 40s. A beautiful, wealthy countess (think NYC high-profile celebrity– pop star, screen actor,
or TV personality). Olivia is in mourning for the death of her brother and using the occasion to gain some much-needed
privacy from the public eye. Olivia has vowed not to show her face outside of her household, or to accept any suitors during
her time of mourning. When Cesario (Viola in disguise) brings her messages of love from Orsino, she falls in love with the
passionate, persistent, feminine young man.
or TV personality). Olivia is in mourning for the death of her brother and using the occasion to gain some much-needed
privacy from the public eye. Olivia has vowed not to show her face outside of her household, or to accept any suitors during
her time of mourning. When Cesario (Viola in disguise) brings her messages of love from Orsino, she falls in love with the
passionate, persistent, feminine young man.
MARIA: female, age flexible (love interest to Sir Toby). A member of Olivia’s household/entourage [personal assistant or
make-up & hair stylist]. She has a sharp wit, love for mischief, and serves as mastermind of a plot to have revenge on the
pompous Malvolio.
make-up & hair stylist]. She has a sharp wit, love for mischief, and serves as mastermind of a plot to have revenge on the
pompous Malvolio.
ORSINO: Male, age late 20s- early 50s. The Duke of Illyria (think NYC elite– powerful, wealthy politician or businessman).
In his private life, Orsino is a man of passion and romantic sensibility with an appreciation for sad love songs. Orsino
believes his heart forever stolen by the cold and beautiful Olivia who continues to reject his affections. By the end of the
play, however, he finds love to be as changeable as it is constant, as he realizes his love for his former page Cesario, when
she is revealed as Viola.
In his private life, Orsino is a man of passion and romantic sensibility with an appreciation for sad love songs. Orsino
believes his heart forever stolen by the cold and beautiful Olivia who continues to reject his affections. By the end of the
play, however, he finds love to be as changeable as it is constant, as he realizes his love for his former page Cesario, when
she is revealed as Viola.
SEBASTIAN: Male, age 18-early 30s. Viola’s twin brother. He is also shipwrecked and stranded in a strange city with no
money or friends. He uses his charm, bravery, and personality to quickly befriend Antonio. He is searching for news of his
sister—”perchance she is not drowned!” In a hilarious case of mistaken identity and interwoven love stories, Sebastian is
mistaken for Cesario and ends up married to Olivia. Possible accent (British, Spanish?)
money or friends. He uses his charm, bravery, and personality to quickly befriend Antonio. He is searching for news of his
sister—”perchance she is not drowned!” In a hilarious case of mistaken identity and interwoven love stories, Sebastian is
mistaken for Cesario and ends up married to Olivia. Possible accent (British, Spanish?)
MALVOLIO. Male (although open to gender non-traditional casting), age flexible. A member of Olivia’s
household/entourage. Historically her steward- specific modern job function to be developed based on the actor’s
interpretation. Malvolio has a very high opinion of himself, and a very low opinion of the rest of Olivia’s entourage. He finds
both Feste and Sir Toby less than useless.
household/entourage. Historically her steward- specific modern job function to be developed based on the actor’s
interpretation. Malvolio has a very high opinion of himself, and a very low opinion of the rest of Olivia’s entourage. He finds
both Feste and Sir Toby less than useless.
SIR TOBY BELCH: male, age flexible (love interest to Maria). Olivia’s uncle. Loves drinking and merriment, often known to
be out late at night, and drunk by the afternoon. He convinces Sir Andrew that Olivia will marry him so that Andrew will
continue to pay for drinks using his “three thousand ducats a year”. Sir Toby seeks revenge on Malvolio for his prudish
condemnation of Toby’s merriment. Ideally the actor should be able to belch on cue.
be out late at night, and drunk by the afternoon. He convinces Sir Andrew that Olivia will marry him so that Andrew will
continue to pay for drinks using his “three thousand ducats a year”. Sir Toby seeks revenge on Malvolio for his prudish
condemnation of Toby’s merriment. Ideally the actor should be able to belch on cue.
FESTE/FOOL.: gender and age flexible. Historically Olivia’s Jester, this character should offer colorful diversion and wit to
distract Olivia from her self-absorption. [Based on the talents of the actor, this character might be a musician, a juggler, a
balloon artist, a magician, or a comedian]. Views the world contrary to the likes of Malvolio, stating- “better a witty fool, than
a foolish wit.” Feste loves nothing better than to match words and wit, and to make fools of others. Please note, due to time
constraints, a significant number of lines have been cut from this character. Songs have been cut, but singing may be
added, depending on the talents of the actor.
distract Olivia from her self-absorption. [Based on the talents of the actor, this character might be a musician, a juggler, a
balloon artist, a magician, or a comedian]. Views the world contrary to the likes of Malvolio, stating- “better a witty fool, than
a foolish wit.” Feste loves nothing better than to match words and wit, and to make fools of others. Please note, due to time
constraints, a significant number of lines have been cut from this character. Songs have been cut, but singing may be
added, depending on the talents of the actor.
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK: Male, age flexible. Suitor to Olivia, drinking buddy to Sir Toby. A man of seemingly
independent wealth (perhaps a trust fund), but little worldly wit. Andrew is naive, foolish, and easily swayed by Toby.
Possible dialect (American- outside of NYC- regionalism)
independent wealth (perhaps a trust fund), but little worldly wit. Andrew is naive, foolish, and easily swayed by Toby.
Possible dialect (American- outside of NYC- regionalism)
ANTONIO: Gender and age flexible. Friend to Sebastian. Antonio saved Sebastian’s life during the shipwreck. Antonio
shows a devotion to Sebastian that seems beyond the friendship of a few weeks; [could be played as in love with Sebastian
shows a devotion to Sebastian that seems beyond the friendship of a few weeks; [could be played as in love with Sebastian
(with Sebastian unaware of the particular affection). Another idea: an actor older than Sebastian plays Antonio in a demi-
parental way]. Antonio is a former enemy of Orsino, having done battle and stolen from him. Antonio is referred to as a “pirate” and should be played as a loveable vagabond who quickly shares whatever he has with Sebastian.
parental way]. Antonio is a former enemy of Orsino, having done battle and stolen from him. Antonio is referred to as a “pirate” and should be played as a loveable vagabond who quickly shares whatever he has with Sebastian.
FABIAN: gender and age flexible. A member of Olivia’s household/entourage specific modern job function to be developed
based on the actor’s interpretation. There is a possibility to merge this role with that of Feste/Fool. Additionally possible,
doubling this character with the roles of Captain, Curio, or Valentine.
based on the actor’s interpretation. There is a possibility to merge this role with that of Feste/Fool. Additionally possible,
doubling this character with the roles of Captain, Curio, or Valentine.
VALENTINE, CURIO. Servants to Orsino. Smaller roles, may be doubled
CAPTAIN (rescues Viola from the shipwreck)– NYC local (Bronx or other regional dialect); PRIEST (who performs a very
quick marriage between Olivia & Sebastian; ideally an Elvis Impersonator, but open to other ideas), OFFICER (Bronx or
other regional dialect): Smaller roles, may be doubled
quick marriage between Olivia & Sebastian; ideally an Elvis Impersonator, but open to other ideas), OFFICER (Bronx or
other regional dialect): Smaller roles, may be doubled
