As You Like It- Fall Play, 2013

Information for Auditions

Audition Dates

First Audition: Tues. Sept. 10 or Wed. Sept. 11, 2:45 until done

Callbacks: Thurs. Sept, 2:45-5:00

Other Important Dates: Rehearsals- Weekdays from 2:45-5:15, not everyone has to be there every day

Mon. Nov. 11- No School, but there is a rehearsal

Sat. Nov. 2, Tech Rehearsal- Actors needed in afternoon

Sat. Nov. 9, Dress Rehearsal- YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE

Performances- Nov. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23; 7:30 pm

The Audition

Audition forms and Monologues are provided for actors on a handout in room 1407. You can choose a monologue for any gender. You can also choose your own monologue, but I prefer the ones on the sheet (and it will save you time!). Do your best to memorize. I will cast some girls in parts that are written for men. They may be adapted to be female, OR I may have some girls (those who say they are willing to do so) cast as men. (FYI, I won't cast guys as women. It's not sexism; it's just that there are fewer parts for women already.)

Production Style:

Elizabethan costumes and setting

American accents (don’t do a British accent for auditions)

Tips:

· Read the play. It’s OK to watch a film version for understanding if you feel you’re not in danger of copying any acting performances.

· Choose an audition monologue that gives you a chance to show off your strengths. If you want to check a different idea for a monologue, ask Ms. Lachman in person or by email. Do some research about the play and scene you choose, so you know what you are saying. Communicate your monologue. Don’t just make it sound pretty.

· You don’t have to have a lot of experience to get into the play. I am looking for actors with strong voices, physical presence, creativity, and a passion for language.

· Speak loudly and clearly. Understand what you are saying. Read about the play your monologue is from.

· You must be a solid student to audition! State regulations require you to be passing all of your classes to participate in a play, and you will be cut from the cast or crew if you are failing any of your classes. Fill out your last accurate cumulative GPA on the blue form, or make your best guess. It’s on data dashboard. Don’t leave it blank.

· Persuade others to audition. Encouraging someone you think would be good may open up a door they hadn't considered. We are always looking for new people to represent the talent and diversity of Shorewood.

· Remember, if you are not called back or cast, it is not because you don’t have talent. It is because the director didn’t see you in the parts available in this play. Take Drama and Advanced Drama to develop and practice your skills. Keep auditioning for Shorewood and community plays. Lots of people who become theater professionals didn’t get into high school plays!

· Crew Signups will be the following week. Come to 1407 during Lunch on the announced day. Listen for announcements, and we’ll soon have a Callboard…somewhere!

Synopsis: Duke Ferdinand has been forced into exile from the court by the usurping Duke Frederick. He takes refuge in the Forest of Arden with a band of faithful lords. Rosalind, his daughter, is kept uneasily at court as a companion to her cousin Celia, Frederick's daughter.

Orlando de Boys, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver since his father's death. Orlando decides to wrestle for his fortune at Frederick's court, where he sees Rosalind and they fall in love.

The Duke banishes Rosalind, fearing that she is a threat to his rule. Celia, refusing to be parted from her cousin, goes with Rosalind to seek Duke Ferdinand in the Forest. For safety they disguise themselves - Rosalind as the boy Ganymede and Celia as his sister Aliena - and persuade the fool Touchstone to accompany them.

On hearing of a plot by his brother to kill him, Orlando also flees to the Forest and takes refuge with the exiled Duke. Posting love lyrics through the forest, Orlando encounters Rosalind disguised as Ganymede. She challenges his love-sick state and suggests that he should prove the strength of his love by wooing Ganymede as if he were Rosalind.

Elsewhere in the Forest love also blossoms: the shepherd Silvius suffers unrequited love for Phoebe, who has fallen for Ganymede, while Touchstone is pursuing the goat-herd Audrey.

Oliver, sent into the Forest to hunt down Orlando, has his life saved by his brother, becomes filled with remorse for his past behaviour and falls in love with Aliena.

Frustrated by the pain of his love for Rosalind, Orlando is unable to continue wooing Ganymede, so Ganymede promises he will conjure up the real Rosalind and that all the lovers will finally be wed...

"As You Like It." Synopsis. Royal Shakespeare Company, 2013. Web. 02 Sept. 2013.

Cast List:

Duke Senior, duke living in exile

Duke Frederick, his brother and usurper of the land

Celia, daughter of Frederick

Rosalind, daughter of Duke Senior

Amiens, lord attending Duke Senior

Jacques, a melancholy lord attending Duke Senior

Le Beau, courtier attending Frederick

Charles, a wrestler in the court of Frederick

Touchstone, a clown of Duke Frederick’s court

Oliver, eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys

Orlando, youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys

Adam, servant to Oliver who accompanies Orlando

Corin, a shepherd

Silvius, a shepherd

Phebe, a shepherdess

Audrey, a country woman

Sir Oliver Martext, a vicar

William, a country fellow who loves Audrey

Hymen, god of marriage