Geauga Center for the Arts<https://www.gcarts.org/> announces auditions for… ROMEO & JULIET By William Shakespeare Directed by Chris Bizub A young woman is betrothed by her parents against her will. A young man’s honor is bound to hate the household of his love. As their families war, together they will bear their devotion beyond the boundaries of death. One of the greatest tragedies of all time, Shakespeare’s tale of passion and calamity is performed outdoors as Big Creek Park is transformed into “fair Verona, where we lay our scene…” PERFORMANCES July 19th, 20th, 21st 26th, 27th, 28th Fridays - Sundays at 6:30pm (outdoors at Big Creek Park<https://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/big-creek-park/>) Frances Hall Amphitheater 9160 Robinson Rd Chardon, OH 44024 AUDITIONS Monday, February 12th, 2024 7:00PM-10:00PM Monday, February 19th, 2024 7:00PM-10:00PM Looking for actors ages 16 and up (this is not a youth production) WHAT TO PREPARE *Actors should bring a headshot or recent picture, and resume (if you have one) *a list of conflicts from June 10th to July 28th *prepare a one-minute Shakespearean monologue/sonnet *Actors may be asked to read from the script. AUDITION/REHEARSAL LOCATION The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 12455 Merritt Rd Chardon, OH 44024 CALLBACKS Saturday, February 24th from 10am-12pm [if Needed] VIDEO AUDITIONS Actors unable to attend in-person auditions are welcome to submit a video audition to the director! If you are planning to send in a video audition, please send an email to director Chris Bizub at cmb164@1870.uakron.edu<mailto:cmb164@1870.uakron.edu> by Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 9:00pm. Please include the following information: *an unlisted Youtube link to your audition video. *a current headshot/resume *which characters you are interested in portraying *a list of your conflicts from June 10th to July 28th CHARACTERS * Romeo - (Male, Late teens - 20s) - the son and heir of Montague and Lady Montague. A young man of about sixteen, Romeo is handsome, intelligent, and sensitive. Though impulsive and immature, his idealism and passion make him an extremely likable character. * Juliet - (Female, Late teens - 20s) - the daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet. A beautiful thirteen-year-old girl, Juliet begins the play as a naïve child who has thought little about love and marriage, but she grows up quickly upon falling in love with Romeo. * Lord Montague - (Male, 30s - 50s) - The father of Romeo. He has the same social status as Lord Capulet, with whom he is in feud, and is also extremely wealthy. Loves his son Romeo deeply and is far more empathic than Capulet. * Lady Montague - (Female, 30s - 50s) - The matriarch of the house of Montague, and the mother of Romeo and aunt of Benvolio. She is fiercely protective of her son Romeo. * Lord Capulet - (Male, 40s - 50s) - The patriarch of the Capulet family, the father of Juliet, and uncle of Tybalt. He is a very wealthy and controlling businessman. * Lady Capulet - (Female, 30s) - The matriarch of the house of Capulet and Juliet's mother. She's determined to see Juliet married off to someone of good standing...like Paris. * Tybalt - (Male/Female, Late teens - 20s) - a Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. Vain, fashionable, supremely aware of courtesy and the lack of it, he/she becomes aggressive, violent, and quick to draw his/her sword. Loathes Montagues. * Mercutio - (Male/Female, Late teens -20s) kin to the Prince, and Romeo’s close friend. Mercutio overflows with imagination, wit, and, at times, a strange, biting satire and brooding fervor. Mercutio loves wordplay, especially sexual double entendres. He/she can be quite hotheaded, and hates people who are affected, pretentious, or obsessed with the latest fashions. * Benvolio - (Male/Female, Late teens - 20s) - Montague’s niece/nephew, Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend. Makes a genuine effort to defuse violent scenes in public, though Mercutio accuses him of having a nasty temper in private. * Paris - (Male, 20s-30s) - a kinsman of Prince Escalus and seeks to marry Juliet. Handsome, somewhat self-absorbed, and very wealthy. * The Nurse - (Male/Female, 30+) - Juliet’s nurse and closest friend. A vulgar, long-winded, and sentimental character, the Nurse provides comic relief with her frequently inappropriate remarks and speeches. * Prince Escalus - (Male/Female, 30s - 50s) - The Prince of Verona. A kinsman of Mercutio and Paris. As the seat of political power in Verona, he is concerned about maintaining the public peace at all costs. * Balthasar - (Male/Female, Any Age) - Romeo’s dedicated servant, who brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that her death is a ruse. * Abram - (Male, Late Teens - 30s) - Montague’s servant, who fights with Sampson and Gregory in the first scene of the play. * Apothecary - (Male/Female, 30+) - An apothecary in Mantua. Had he been wealthier, he might have been able to afford to value his morals more than money, and refused to sell poison to Romeo. * Peter - (Male, Late Teens - 30s) - A Capulet servant who invites guests to Capulet’s feast and escorts the Nurse to meet with Romeo. He is illiterate, and a bad singer. * Sampson - (Male/Female - Late Teens - 30s) - Servant of the house of Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. * Gregory - (Male/Female - Late Teens - 30s) - Servant of the house of Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. * Friar Laurence (Male, 30+) - a Franciscan friar, friend to both Romeo and Juliet. Kind, civicminded, a proponent of moderation, and always ready with a plan, Friar Lawrence is also an expert in the use of seemingly mystical potions and herbs. * Rosaline, Valetine, Petruchio, Anthony, Potpan, Friar John, Chorus, Old Capulet, Servant - (Any age, 20s+) - Various servants/citizens who appear throughout the play OTHER DETAILS: Geauga Center for the Arts is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. All actors cast are strictly volunteers. No AEA Contract(s) available. If you have any questions or would like to audition for this production, but are unable to attend regular auditions, please contact the director at cmb164@1870.uakron.edu<mailto:cmb164@1870.uakron.edu>. Also feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding the production.