TWELFTH NIGHT

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Art Suskin

Performances:

July 2, 3, 9, and 10

*All performances and the last 10 days of rehearsal will be OUTDOORS.

*Rehearsals will begin May 23rd, generally Sunday-Thursday each week. (Subject to change, depending on cast conflicts/availability). Please provide all conflicts for May, June, and July.

*NOTE: We may schedule additional performances depending on the company’s availability.

Auditions:

*Auditions will be conducted via Zoom or Duo; or via Video Submissions.

*Please prepare a Shakespearean sonnet.

*Please inform us if you can play an instrument.

*You can sign up for a virtual audition time, or submit your video audition via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/M3b1PZ1sYJ

We are looking for 11 Men (some will double in 2+ roles) and 3 Women between the ages of 20 and 60.

All roles are open. Non-traditional casting is encouraged.

We highly recommend reading/being familiar with the play prior to auditions.

Callbacks:

*Virtual callbacks (if necessary) are by invitation only on Monday, May 17th at 7:00pm.

*Sides will be provided for reading via email.

Synopsis of the Play:

Viola and Sebastian, twin brother and sister are separated at sea. They each believe the other to be dead. Viola, determined to make her way in the world, disguises herself as a man (Cesario) and works for Duke Orsino. She falls madly in love with him. Orsino, however, is in love with a Countess Olivia, and sends Viola to her, in order to court Olivia on Orsino’s behalf. Viola does the job a bit too well, and Olivia falls in love with Viola (Cesario) instead. Sebastian arrives, and in true comedy-of-errors style, there is a great deal of mistaken identity, hijinks ensue, and many people end up married.

Character Descriptions: (In certain scenes, any character may double as Lord, Attendant, or Officer.)

ORSINO, Duke of Illyria: Strong-willed leader in his late 30s or 40s. Torn by unrequited love.

CURIO and VALENTINE: Attendants of Orsino; Valentine will double; Curio may double.

VIOLA and SEBASTIAN: Non-identical twins, separated at sea; Viola spends most of the play disguised as a man, Cesario.

A Sea CAPTAIN: Brings Viola to Illyria, helps Viola disguise herself as Cesario. May double.

ANTONIO, a Sea Captain: Brings Sebastian to Illyria. May double.

OLIVIA, a Countess in Illyria: Widowed and in mourning. In her 30s. Pursued by Orsino. Falls for Cesario.

MARIA, Olivia’s waiting woman, mischievous

SIR TOBY BELCH, Olivia’s kinsman: Falstaffian character in figure and attitude.

SIR ANTHONY AGUECHEEK, companion of Sir Toby: High-strung, preferably skinny. Sharp contrast to Sir Toby.

MALVOLIO, Olivia’s steward: Dour, humorless, puritanical, full of himself.

FABIAN, a member of Olivia’s household

FESTE the Clown: Olivia’s jester. The wise-fool. Ideally, he will sing (many songs), and accompany himself on guitar. He has the last words in the script (a song).

Musicians, Sailors, Lords, Officers, Servants and a Priest: Will cast as necessary and draw on the company to double for many of these. Several have some fine lines to deliver.

For further information, contact the Director (Art Suskin) at 816-210-6266 or art@theatregym.org