Auditions for Ken Ludwig'sShakespeare in Hollywood https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4DA5A62FA4F94-57514786-open *Tuesday, November 4 & Wednesday, November 5* *7-9 PM* Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's River Street Playhouse 56 River Street, Chagrin Falls SIGN UP FOR AUDITIONS CLICK HERE TO REGISTER <https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4DA5A62FA4F94-57514786-open> About the Play It's 1934, and Shakespeare's most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the set of the Warner Brothers A Midsummer Night's Dream film. Smitten by the glitz and glamour of show business, they are ushered onto the silver screen to play themselves. With a little help from a feisty flower, a blonde bombshell, and a movie mogul, the results are raucous to say the least. This hilarious comic romp sparkles with the mischievous magic of moviedom! Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and winner of The Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play of the Year (the MacArthur Award) in 2003. *Directed by Martin Friedman* *PERFORMANCES:* Weekends, January 23 – February 8, 2026 on the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre main stage What to Bring - Your list of conflicts - Acting resume and headshot (helpful but not required) - *No audition monologue needed!* It's helpful if you indicate on your audition sheet your ability to perform or read Shakespearean dialogue, but not everyone needs to be fluent in Shakespeare's language. Callbacks *November 6* - Only those the director absolutely needs to hear again will be called back. Getting a part is not dependent on having a callback — there are plenty of roles available. Cast of Characters The director is planning to use a minimum of 12 actors — about 4 or 5 women and 8 men. While Ludwig allows for doubling, he would like to explore adding an additional woman or two. *All roles are open.* Lydia Lansing Mid 20s-30s. Knows that she is a dish and uses her looks when necessary. Uses tough girl-talk to help get what she wants; is also dim at times. She does love Warner though. Brave, wants to be better than she is, and is ambitious. Oberon King of the fairies. Looks good in a toga. This Oberon is REAL. He has all the qualities of a King. Ageless; but between 20s-40s. He is the KING OF THE FAIRIES and knows it. Puck Played by a woman. This Puck is REAL; or at least totally confident he is real. Between 20-30 but ultimately ageless. Also known as Robin Goodfellow. Carries out magical tasks and is loyal to his king Oberon but is still mischievous and a trickstress. Fluid and quick witted. Olivia Darnell A very capable ingenue. Between 20-30. A newcomer to the film world; trying to make it and is starry eyed. Good looking and seeking stardom and love at the same time. Sweet, smart, somewhat confident, sincere, and most importantly, talented. Plays Hermia in this production. Will Hayes/Albert Warner Mid 40s. The Hays Production Code affected the creation, production and distribution of all Hollywood product regarding nudity, profanity and political content. A bureaucrat who was trying to do what he thought was right. Officious, shifty, uptight, by the numbers nerd who wants to be part of the in-crowd. Joe E. Brown/Harry Warner Mid to late 20s to late 30s. Plays Francis Flute and dresses up as Thisbe (in drag) in a scene in this play. Popular friendly screen persona and was one of the most popular movie performers of the period. Fluid face and body, confident, amazed that he is so popular. Jimmy Cagney/Sam Warner An actor, dancer and director but was best known as a tough guy. Mid to late 20s to late 30s. An energetic fellow, a devoted friend, very smart; both book smart and street smart. Actually had a distinctive voice; "You dirty rat." Plays Bottom in this production. Dick Powell/Groucho 20s to early 30s. Good looking fellow who began his career as a singer in 30s musicals. He is playing Lysander in this production. First was a comedy guy then became a hardboiled character. Sincere, modest, grounded and bashful; still knows that he is good looking and popular. In love with Olivia. Many of the characters in the play did indeed play roles in the real 1935 Warner Brothers film. Asterisk denotes real historical figures involved in Hollywood in the 1930s. Rehearsal Schedule You will be called only when needed. The director will do his very best to not waste your time. Most conflicts are not deal-breakers, although those near the end of January become more problematic. - *Monday, November 24:* Read-through (if possible) - *Monday, December 1:* Full cast session — period and character work - *December (first three weeks):* Monday through Thursday, 7:00–10:00 PM - *Sunday, December 21 (afternoon):* possible rehearsal - *Reconnect January 2* - *During January:* six rehearsals, Sunday through Friday (Remember: not everyone will be called every rehearsal period.) READY TO AUDITION? SIGN UP NOW <https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080C4DA5A62FA4F94-57514786-open> *All actors at CVLT are volunteers.* Open to anyone with an interest in performing in community theater! *For more information:* CVLT.org/auditions