A Midsummer Night’s
Dream
Audition Packet
Hello! I am so excited you are auditioning for A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William
Shakespeare. There are many things you need to know about the auditions and
performances. Please read and sign this with your parents/guardians, and return it when
you come to auditions.
Performance Dates:
Friday, November 4th at 7pm
Saturday, November 5th at 7pm
Auditions:
Auditions will be held on August 23 and August 24 from 3:00-5:00 in the theater. You
only need to attend one of these days. You don’t need to sign up for a time, just come to the
theater after school on the day you choose. Please join our Midsummer Auditions Google
Classroom. This is where the callback list and cast list will be posted. I will also include
audition reminders and a copy of the audition packet.
The class code is jkg91u4
Callbacks: On the night of August 24th, I will post a callback list to Google Classroom. This
is the list of students who are required to attend callbacks on August 25 from 3:00-4:00.
Callbacks are for students who I need to see perform a little more for a specific role. It does
not necessarily mean you are not on the final cast list.
General Auditions from 3:00-5:00: August 23
August 24
Callback Auditions from 3:00-4:00: August 25
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. This means that I will give you a
scene to read with a partner(s), you will find a quiet space to read through it a few times,
and then you will come read it onstage for me. It definitely DOES NOT need to be
memorized. I simply want to see your natural ability to try, have fun, and perform a
character. Most people will get to read a scene more than once. I have attached the choices
of scenes I will give at auditions. This is for you to familiarize yourself with the scenes and
be comfortable with them.
What is Mrs. Daniel looking for during your audition?
1) Confidence: Shakespeare wrote his plays differently than we speak today. It can
seem intimidating the first time you read them. We will spend LOTS of time looking
at the text of the play during rehearsals and will do it in a fun, exciting way. For
auditions, just try your best. If you act confidently, it will show (even if the lines
aren’t perfect!)
2) Character: Can you perform a character with energy, inflection and emotion? Can
you take direction well and be willing to learn?
3) Commitment: Will you be committed to coming to rehearsal on time and learning
your lines? Will you work hard?
4) Attitude: Will you maintain a good attitude during rehearsals and be a good
example? Will you be an awesome team player?
Conflicts: You will have the opportunity to list ALL of your conflicts during rehearsals at
the end of this packet. Please look at the rehearsal calendar located on the google
classroom page and list all conflicts. Please limit conflicts to 5 or less. Once the play is
cast, I will create a new rehearsal calendar with all conflicts of the cast members listed.
Once rehearsals begin, you are making a commitment to ME and to your castmates that you
will be here every rehearsal (with exception of your KNOWN conflicts). More than 2
unexcused absences will result in your dismissal from the show. NO ABSENCES WILL BE
ACCEPTED AFTER OCTOBER 20TH.
CASTING: Casting a play one of the hardest parts of my job. It’s also one of the hardest
things to understand as an actor. Casting has everything to do with who is the right
person for the role. It doesn’t matter if you are a 6th grader or an 8th grader.
Unfortunately, there may not be enough parts for everyone who auditions. If you are not
cast, it doesn’t mean you aren’t talented or that I don’t like you! Please consider becoming
involved another way (like a tech crew).
SIGNATURE PAGE
Please sign this with you parent/guardian. Also, include your conflicts.By signing, you are
agreeing to adhere to all policies and expectations. Turnt THIS PAGE in when you come to
auditions.
Your Name:________________________________________________
Your Signature._____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name:______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________
Parent/Guardian Best Contact:_______________________________
Your Conflicts
Which characters are you MOST interested in?
Why?
Below are the scenes I will ask you to read at auditions. They DO NOT need to be memorized
and I will give out new copies at auditions (you don’t need to bring these copies). I will not ask
everyone to read EVERY scene. I am simply giving you these scenes beforehand so you can be
comfortable with the material.
HELENA is sad because the boy she likes (DEMETRIUS) does not like her, but instead likes her best friend HERMIA.
She is complaining to HERMIA about it. Then, HERMIA tells HELENA that she and LYSANDER are running off
together in the woods to get married.
1.1.4
[Enter HELENA]
HERMIA
God speed fair Helena! Whither away?
(Whither away: wilted, sad)
HELENA
Call you me fair? that fair again unsay.
Demetrius loves your fair: O happy fair!
O, teach me how you look, and with what art
You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart.
HERMIA
I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.
HELENA
O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!
HERMIA
I give him curses, yet he gives me love.
HELENA
O that my prayers could such affection move!
HERMIA
The more I hate, the more he follows me.
HELENA
The more I love, the more he hates me.
HERMIA
His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine.
HELENA
None, but your beauty: would that fault were mine!
HERMIA
Take comfort: he no more shall see my face;
Lysander and myself will fly this place.
LYSANDER
Helen, to you our minds we will unfold:
Through Athens' gates have we devised to steal.
HERMIA
And in the wood, where often you and I
Upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie,
And thence from Athens turn away our eyes,
To seek new friends and stranger companies.
Farewell, sweet playfellow: pray thou for us;
And good luck grant you your Demetrius!
LYSANDER
[Exit HERMIA]
Helena, adieu:
As you on him, Demetrius dote on you! [Exit]
QUINCE, SNUG, BOTTOM, FLUTE, SNOUT, AND STARVELING are all townspeople from Athens. They have been
asked to perform a play called “Pyramus and Thisbe” at Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding. QUINCE is the director.
BOTTOM is very loud, arrogant, and not very smart (notice how he mispronounces “script” and “Thisbe” ). QUINCE
is trying to tell everyone what part they will be, but BOTTOM keeps interrupting and trying to tell QUINCE what to
do. In fact, he insists that he can play ANY part in the play better than anyone else.
1.2.1
QUINCE'S house.
Enter QUINCE, SNUG, BOTTOM, FLUTE, SNOUT, and STARVELING
QUINCE
Is all our company here?
BOTTOM
You were best to call them generally, man by man,
according to the scrip.
QUINCE
Here is the scroll of every man's name, which is thought fit, through all Athens, to play in our interlude before the Duke and
the Duchess, on his wedding-day at night.
BOTTOM
First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on, then read the names of the actors, and so grow to a point.
QUINCE
Marry, our play is, “The most lamentable comedy, and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe.”
BOTTOM
A very good piece of work, I assure you. Now, good Peter Quince, call forth your actors by the scroll. Masters, spread
yourselves. (Note: Spread yourselves means to spread out in a line)
QUINCE
Answer as I call you. Nick Bottom, the weaver.
BOTTOM
Ready. Name what part I am, and proceed.
QUINCE
You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.
BOTTOM
What is Pyramus? a lover, or a tyrant?
QUINCE
A lover, that kills himself most gallant for love.
BOTTOM
That will ask some tears in the true performing of it: if I do it, let the audience look to their eyes; I will move storms.
QUINCE
Francis Flute, the bellows-mender.
FLUTE
Here, Peter Quince.
QUINCE
Flute, you must take Thisbe on you.
FLUTE
What is Thisbe? A wandering knight?
QUINCE
It is the lady that Pyramus must love.
FLUTE
Nay, faith, let me not play a woman; I have a beard coming.
BOTTOM
If I may hide my face, let me play Thisby too, I'll speak in a monstrous little voice. 'Thisne,
Thisne;' 'Ah, Pyramus, dear! Thy Thisne dear, and lady dear!'
QUINCE
No, no; you must play Pyramus: and, Flute, you Thisbe.
BOTTOM
Well, proceed.
QUINCE
Robin Starveling, the tailor.
STARVELING
Here, Peter Quince.
QUINCE
Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe's mother.
Tom Snout, the tinker.
SNOUT
Here, Peter Quince.
QUINCE
You, Pyramus' father: myself, Thisbe's father:
Snug, the joiner; you, the lion's part: and, I hope, here is a play fitted.
SNUG
Have you the lion's part written? Pray you, if it be, give it me, for I am slow of study.
QUINCE
You may do it extempore, for it is nothing but roaring.
BOTTOM
Let me play the lion too: I will roar, that I will do any man's heart good to hear me; I will roar, that I will make the Duke say
'Let him roar again, let him roar again.'
QUINCE
If you should do it too terribly, you would fright the duchess and the ladies, that they would shriek; and that were enough to
hang us all.
BOTTOM
But I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove; I will roar you if 'twere any nightingale.
QUINCE
You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer's day; a
most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus.
BOTTOM
Well, I will undertake it.
QUINCE
Masters, here are your parts: and I am to entreat you, request you and desire you, to con them by to-morrow night; and
meet me in the palace wood, a mile outside the town, by moonlight; there will we rehearse. I pray you, fail me not.
BOTTOM
We will meet; and there we may rehearse most obscenely and courageously. Take pains; be perfect: adieu.
[Exit all]
DEMETRIUS was once in love with HELENA, but broke up with her in favor of HERMIA. However, HELENA still
really likes him. In fact, she told DEMETRIUS, that HERMIA and LYSANDER were running away to the forest to get
married. DEMETRIUS angrily follows them, and HELENA pursues DEMITRIUS into the woods. He is completely
annoyed by her.
2.1.4
[Enter DEMETRIUS, HELENA, following him]
DEMETRIUS
I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.
Where is Lysander and fair Hermia?
The one I'll slay, the other slayeth me.
Thou told'st me they were stolen unto this wood;
Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.
HELENA
You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant.
DEMETRIUS
Do I entice you? do I speak you fair?
Or, rather, do I not in plainest truth
Tell you, I do not, nor I cannot love you?
HELENA
And even for that do I love you the more.
DEMETRIUS
Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit;
For I am sick when I do look on thee.
HELENA
And I am sick when I look not on you.
DEMETRIUS
I'll run from thee and hide me in the brakes,
And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts.
HELENA
The wildest hath not such a heart as you.
DEMETRIUS
I will not stay thy questions; let me go:
Or, if thou follow me, do not believe
But I shall do thee mischief in the wood.
HELENA
Ay, in the temple, in the town, the field,
You do me mischief. Fie, Demetrius!
We cannot fight for love, as men may do;
We should be wooed, and were not made to woo.
[Exit DEMETRIUS]
THESEUS, the Duke of Athens, and his fiance HIPPOLYTA, are busy talking about their wedding day when EGEUS
storms in with his daughter HERMIA, and her suitors LYSANDER and DEMETRIUS. EGEUS is angry because
HERMIA refuses to marry DEMETRIUS (his choice for her). HERMIA instead wants to be with LYSANDER, and she
tells her father that LYSANDER is just as good as DEMETRIUS. Because she isn’t listening to him, EGEUS asks
THESEUS to follow Athenian law, which says that if a daughter does not follow her father’s wishes, she will be put
to death (I know, crazy, right??). THESEUS tells HERMIA that she has until his wedding day to decide whether she
wants to marry DEMETRIUS, die, or become a nun forever.
1.1.2
Enter EGEUS, HERMIA, LYSANDER, and DEMETRIUS
EGEUS
Happy be Theseus, our renownéd duke!
THESEUS
Thanks, good Egeus: what's the news?
EGEUS
Full of vexation come I, with complaint against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord,
This man has my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander: and my gracious duke,
This man has bewitch'd the heart of my child;
Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,
And interchanged love-tokens with my child:
With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughter's heart,
Turn'd her obedience, which is due to me,
To stubborn harshness: and, my gracious duke,
Be it so she will not here before your grace
Consent to marry with Demetrius.
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens
As she is mine, I may dispose of her:
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death.
THESEUS
What say you, Hermia?
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.
HERMIA
So is Lysander.
THESEUS
In himself he is;
But in this kind, wanting your father's voice,
The other must be held the worthier.
HERMIA
I would my father look'd but with my eyes.
THESEUS
Rather your eyes must with his judgment look.
HERMIA
I do entreat your grace to pardon me.
I know not by what power I am made bold,
But I beseech your grace that I may know the worst that may befall me in this case,
If I refuse to wed Demetrius.
THESEUS
Either to die the death or to abjure
For ever the society of men.
Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires;
Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice,
You can endure the life of a nun.
HERMIA
So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord,
THESEUS
Take time to pause; and, by the next new moon
The sealing-day betwixt my love and me,
Upon that day either prepare to die
For disobedience to your father's will,
Or else to wed Demetrius-DEMETRIUS [interrupting]
Relent, sweet Hermia: and, Lysander, yield
Thy crazéd title to my certain right.
LYSANDER
You have her father's love, Demetrius;
Let me have Hermia's: do you marry him.
EGEUS
Scornful Lysander! true, he hath my love,
And what is mine my love shall render him.
And she is mine, and all my right of her
I do estate unto Demetrius.
LYSANDER
I am, my lord, as well derived as he,
As well possess'd; my love is more than his;
My fortunes every way as fairly rank'd,
I am beloved of beauteous Hermia:
Why should not I then prosecute my right?
Demetrius, I'll avouch it to his head,
Was in love with Nedar's daughter, Helena,
And won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes,
Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry,
Upon this spotted and inconstant man.
THESEUS
I must confess that I have heard so much.
Demetrius, come;
And come, Egeus; you shall go with me,
I have some private schooling for you both.
For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself
To fit your fancies to your father's will;
Or else the law of Athens yields you upTo death, or to a vow of single life.
Come, my Hippolyta:
[Exit all but LYSANDER and HERMIA]
Oberon and TItania are King and Queen of the Fairies. They are in a huge fight. In fact, their fight is so huge that
ALL OF NATURE is changing (all the seasons are mixed up). Why are they fighting? Titania had a best friend who
worked with her. This friend was mortal and had a young son. When she died, Titania promised to take care of the
son as her own. Oberon wants to use the boy as his henchman, and Titania refuses.
2.1.2
[Enter, from one side, OBERON;
from the other, TITANIA, with fairies]
OBERON
Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.
TITANIA
What, jealous Oberon! Fairies, skip hence:
I have forsworn his company.
OBERON
Tarry, rash lady: am I not thy lord?
TITANIA
Then I must be thy lady:
OBERON
Do you amend it then; it lies in you:
Why should Titania cross her Oberon?
I do but beg a little changeling boy,
To be my henchman.
TITANIA
Set your heart at rest:
His mother was a lady of my order, but she, being mortal
Of that boy did die. And for her sake I do rear up her boy.
And for her sake I will not part with him.
OBERON
Give me that boy!
TITANIA
Not for thy fairy kingdom. Fairies, away!
We shall chide downright, if I longer stay.
[Exit TITANIA and fairies]