Marin Shakespeare Company will be holding Auditions on May 19 to cast two or more
roles for CHILDREN in our upcoming Mainstage production of MACBETH.
About the Play
MACBETH is a bloody play full of murder, madness and incredible poetry. Our production is directed by Lesley Currier, and will feature William Elsman and Alexandra Matthew as Lord and Lady Macbeth. Also appearing in the production are Darren Bridgett, Scott Coopwood, and MSC Artistic Director Robert Currier, among
others.
About the Roles
We will be casting a young man to play the role of Fleance, Banquo's son. Banquo will be played by Darren
Bridgett. Fleance has a few lines, and will be part of a fight sequence. The actor playing Fleance will ideally
appear to be 11 - 13 years old, a boy on the cusp of becoming a young man. The actor needs to have a loud
speaking voice.
We will be casting either a boy or a girl to play the role of the Macduff Child. This character appears in one or
more scenes, has dialogue, and participates in a fight sequence in which s/he is murdered. The actor playing the
Macduff Child will ideally appear to be 6 - 10 years old, a child rather than an adolescent; however, the actor
needs to have a loud speaking voice.
We may be casting either a boy or a girl to play the role of a Young Macduff Child. This character would appear in one or more scenes as the younger sibling of the Macduff Child, including a fight sequence in which s/he
is murdered. This actor would have no lines. Ideally, this actor would appear to be 3 - 6 years old; however, the
actors needs to be able to take direction.
About the Schedule
Actors need to be available for all performance dates July 8 - August 14. A complete list of performances can
be found at: http://www.marinshakespeare.org/pages/ticketorder.php
Actors need to be available for rehearsals starting June 14. Typically, rehearsals are some Tuesday through Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Actors should expect to be called to one or two rehearsals per week for
the first few weeks, and a few more rehearsals as we near the opening of the show. We have two long rehearsals
Tuesday and Wednesday July 5 and 6 from noon to midnight; child actors will not be called for the entire day
and evening. It is fine to have conflicts with rehearsal schedules as long as we know what your conflicts are at
the time of casting. Whenever possible, we will not schedule rehearsals for child actors late at night.
Benefits to You
All child actors will be Volunteers, and parents will be asked to sign a Volunteer Waiver. You will receive complimentary tickets to the performances, invitation to Marin Shakespeare parties and events, and your child will
have an unforgettable theatrical experience, which will likely lead to a life-long love of Shakespeare.
How to Audition
Auditions will be held Thursday, May 19 from 4 to 6 pm at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre on the campus
of Dominican University in San Rafael. Please email Lesley Currier at [email protected] to
be added to the Audition List. Please fill out this audition form and Bring It With You to the audition. Please
have your child be familiar with the scenes attached, which they will read at the Audition. (The Young Macduff
Child will not read any scene.) We may also conduct a group warm-up or improvisation session.
Questions
Please contact Lesley Currier with questions at [email protected] or 415/499-4485.
MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
CHILD AUDITION FORM
Please fill out and return to us.
Your Name ____________________________ Birthdate ____________ School ___________
Parents' Names___________________________________ E-mail_______________________
Address_______________________________ City___________________ Zip____________
Phones: (h)_________________ (w)____________________ (other)___________________
Height: ________ Weight: ________ (please approximate to the best of your ability)
Are you a member of any of the acting unions? which? ______________________________
Have you been a student in any of Marin Shakespeare's programs or classes? which?
Please briefly list your acting experience (use back if needed):
CONFLICTS: It is very important to fill this out fully.
We expect you might have some rehearsal conflicts; please let us know NOW. Thank you.
You MUST be available for every performance of the play.
Any Known Conflicts with Rehearsals or Performances. Be specific:
Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE bearing a torch before him
BANQUO
How goes the night, boy?
FLEANCE
The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.
BANQUO
And she goes down at twelve.
FLEANCE
I take't, 'tis later, sir.
BANQUO
Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven;
Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep: merciful powers,
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose!
Enter MACBETH, SEYTON with a torch
Give me my sword.
Who's there?
LADY MACDUFF Sirrah, your father's dead;
And what will you do now? How will you live?
CHILD
As birds do, mother.
LADY MACDUFF What, with worms and flies?
CHILD
What is a traitor?
LADY MACDUFF
Why, one that swears and lies.
CHILD
And be all traitors that do so?
CHILD
With what I get, I mean; and so do they.
LADY MACDUFF
Every one that does so is a traitor, and
must be hanged.
LADY MACDUFF
Poor bird! thou'ldst never fear the net nor lime,
The pitfall nor the gin.
CHILD
And must they all be hanged that swear
and lie?
CHILD
Why should I, mother?
Poor birds they are not set for.
My father is not dead, for all your saying.
LADY MACDUFF
Every one.
LADY MACDUFF
Yes, he is dead; how wilt thou do for a father?
CHILD
Nay, how will you do for a husband?
LADY MACDUFF
Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.
CHILD
Then you'll buy 'em to sell again.
LADY MACDUFF
Thou speak'st with all thy wit: and yet, i' faith,
With wit enough for thee.
CHILD
Was my father a traitor, mother?
LADY MACDUFF
Ay, that he was.
CHILD Who must hang them?
LADY MACDUFF
Why, the honest men.
CHILD
Then the liars and swearers are fools,
for there are liars and swearers enough to
beat the honest men and hang up them.
LADY MACDUFF
Now, God help thee, poor monkey!
But how wilt thou do for a father?
CHILD
If he were dead, you'd weep for
him: if you would not, it were a good sign
that I should quickly have a new father.