AUDITION INFORMATION
ROMEO & JULIET by William Shakespeare
Directed by Megan Dansie
AUDITIONS SAT & SUN 9/10 NOVEMBER 2013
Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide
Season:
Opening Night:
Venue:
Performance Times:
First read through
Workshops:
Rehearsals:
Directions:
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
THEATRE GUILD INC
ABN 35 606 090 221
LEVEL 5, UNION HOUSE
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005 AUSTRALIA
MELANIE HIBBERD
ADMINISTRATOR
TELEPHONE: +61 8 8313 5999
FACSIMILE: +61 8 8313 5019
[email protected]
www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild
Sunday 27 April 2014 to Saturday 17 May 2014 (bump-in, tech. and dress rehearsals).
Bump-in is on the Anzac weekend
Saturday 3 May 2014
Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide
7.30pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays
Late November/Early December, exact date TBA
Principals need to be available during summer holidays (December/January) for character
work and fencing training
Performing Shakespeare workshop TBA
Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 7pm-10pm & Sunday afternoons, 1.00pm-6.00pm from
February. Workshops with principals by arrangement before February.
Some longer Sunday rehearsals and extra rehearsals on the Easter and Anzac Day long
weekends.
Some individual sessions with the director to be arranged before formal rehearsals start.
Rehearsals will usually take place in the Little Theatre unless otherwise advised.
The Cloisters is the name given to the courtyard in front of the Union Building (Union House)
facing Victoria Drive and the river. The entrance to the theatre is in the south west corner of
the courtyard.
SYNOPSIS:
The play begins with a large fight between the Capulets and the Montagues, two prestigious families in Verona, Italy.
These families have been fighting for quite some time, and the Prince declares that their next public brawl will be
punished by death. When the fight is over, Romeo’s cousin Benvolio tries to cheer him of his melancholy.. Romeo
and Benvolio are accidentally invited to their enemy’s party; Benvolio convinces Romeo to go.
At the party, Romeo locks eyes with a young woman named Juliet. They instantly fall in love, but they do not realise
that their families are mortal enemies. Romeo sneaks into Juliet’s yard after the party and proclaims his love for her.
She returns his sentiments and the two decide to marry. The next day, Romeo and Juliet are married by Friar
Lawrence. They plan to meet in Juliet’s chambers that night.
Romeo visits his best friend Mercutio and his cousin Benvolio but his good mood is curtailed. Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt,
starts a verbal quarrel with Romeo, which soon turns into a duel with Mercutio. Romeo tries to stop the fight but it is
too late: Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo, enraged, retaliates by killing Tybalt. Once Romeo realizes the consequences
of his actions, he hides at Friar Lawrence’s cell.
The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild acknowledges the generous support of the University of Adelaide as its principal sponsor
2
Romeo is banished from Verona and will be killed if he stays. The Friar suggests Romeo spend the night with Juliet,
then leave for Mantua in the morning. He tells Romeo that he will attempt to settle the Capulet and Montague
dispute so Romeo can later return to a united family. Romeo takes his advice, spending one night with Juliet before
fleeing Verona.
Juliet’s mother, completely unaware of her daughter's secret marriage to Romeo, informs Juliet that she will marry a
man named Paris in a few days. Juliet asks Friar Lawrence for advice, insisting she would rather die than marry
Paris. Friar Lawrence gives Juliet a potion which will make her appear dead and tells her to take it the night before
the wedding. He promises to send word to Romeo - intending the two lovers be reunited in the Capulet vault.
Juliet drinks the potion and everybody assumes that she is dead — including Balthasar, who immediately tells
Romeo. Friar Lawrence’s letter fails to reach Romeo, so he assumes that his wife is dead. He rushes to Juliet’s
tomb and, in deep grief, drinks a vial of poison. Moments later, Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself due
to grief. Once the families discover what happened, they finally end their bitter feud.
ROLES AVAILABLE:
(PLEASE NOTE THAT
the first round of auditions are for principals only. A second round for other parts will be held at
the start of the University Term 1 in 2014). All actors must be over the age of 16. All ages given are
stage ages
Ruling house of Verona
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Prince Escalus is the ruling Prince of Verona. Male, 25-60
Count Paris is a kinsman of Escalus who wishes to marry Juliet. Male 23-45
Mercutio is another kinsman of Escalus, and a friend of Romeo. Male 17-30
House of Capulet
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Capulet is the patriarch of the house of Capulet. Male, 35-60.
Capulet's wife is the matriarch of the house of Capulet. Female, late 20’s to 50
Juliet is the 13-year-old daughter of Capulet, and the play's female protagonist. Female, young looking
Tybalt is a cousin of Juliet, and the nephew of Capulet's wife. Male, 18-30
The Nurse is Juliet's personal attendant and confidante. Female, 30-60
House of Montague
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Montague is the patriarch of the house of Montague. Male 35-60.
Montague's wife is the matriarch of the house of Montague. Female, 25-45
Romeo is the son of Montague, and the play's male protagonist. Male, 17-23
Benvolio is Romeo's cousin and best friend. Male, 17-23
Others
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Friar Laurence, a Franciscan friar, Romeo's confidant. Male 30-60.
There are numerous other minor characters including some non-speaking roles for those interested in a
lesser commitment. Some actors may be required to play multiple roles. Some roles may be cast on a
gender-neutral basis.
AUDITION BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
A 10 MINUTE SLOT WILL BE ALLOCATED PER APPLICANT.
APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED BY CONTACTING
MELANIE HIBBERD ON 8313 5999 OR EMAIL
[email protected]
PLEASE SPECIFY WHETHER YOU PREFER A SATURDAY OR
SUNDAY AUDITION, MORNING OR AFTERNOON SLOT AND WE WILL
DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR REQUEST.
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
THEATRE GUILD INC
ABN 35 606 090 221
LEVEL 5, UNION HOUSE
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005 AUSTRALIA
MELANIE HIBBERD
ADMINISTRATOR
TELEPHONE: +61 8 8313 5999
FACSIMILE: +61 8 8313 5019
[email protected]
www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild
YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PREPARE TWO ITEMS:
1. A MONOLOGUE OF YOUR CHOICE FROM ANY OF SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS, IN VERSE NOT PROSE.
(no longer than 3 minutes AND preferably not one of Romeo’s speeches). Please make every effort to
memorise your monologue.
2
YOU MAY ALSO BE ASKED TO READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE PLAY WHICH WILL BE EMAILED
AFTER AN AUDITION SLOT HAS BEEN BOOKED.
NO ACCENTS WILL BE USED SO PLEASE DELIVER YOUR SHAKESPEAREAN MONOLOGUE USING YOUR
NATURAL VOICE.
WE RECOMMEND YOU WEAR LOOSE COMFORTABLE CLOTHING AND BRING WATER.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN A THEATRE GUILD SHOW IS REQUIRED TO BE A
MEMBER OF THE THEATRE GUILD. ANY ROLES OFFERED WILL ONLY BE CONFIRMED ONCE YOU HAVE
BECOME A MEMBER.
The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild acknowledges the generous support of the University of Adelaide as its principal sponsor