The Most Lamentable Roman Tragedy of TITUS ANDRONICUS

by William Shakespeare

Directed by August Scarpelli

The brothers Saturninus and Bassianus are in contention for the Roman emperorship. Titus Andronicus, Rome's most honoured general, returns from wars against the Goths with their queen, Tamora, her sons and her lover, Aaron the Moor, as captives. Her eldest son is sacrificed by Titus; she vows revenge. To seal the bond of friendship, the new emperor, Saturnius, offers to marry Titus's daughter Lavinia. She, however, is already pledged to Bassianus. Saturninus, by now infatuated with Tamora, makes her empress instead. Manipulated by Aaron, Tamora's sons, Chiron and Demetrius, avenge their mother by ravishing and mutilating Lavinia. Aaron falsely implicates two of Titus's sons in this murder. In his turn Titus vows revenge and sends his surviving son Lucius to the Goths to raise an army. How will Titus achieve his revenge? It is sure to be delicious

As an organization we are deeply committed to inclusive casting and are seeking a diverse cast of 20+ artists who are 18 and older. Performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities and abilities are encouraged to audition.

Audition Dates:

Saturday January 25th - 1030am-215pm

Monday, January 27th, 2024 - 630pm-1015pm

Audition Location:

The Western Reserve Playhouse

3326 Everett Road

Bath, Ohio 44286

Callbacks:

Tuesday, January 28th, 2024 - 630pm-10pm

Performances will be held May 22nd - June 1: Thursdays -Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays @2pm

Rehearsals: Textual analysis and dramaturgical rehearsals will begin February, 2025. Rehearsals will typically run Sunday-Thursday based on cast availability.

How to sign up:

You may sign up here ( https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0C4BA5AB2FABF8C52... ) to be 1 of 5 in a 45-minute audition slot. Please bring a headshot and resume if you have one. We also are asking for all conflicts at this time. Please note tech week will be May 18-21 , 2025.

You may be asked to cold read from the script

Please bring all conflicts for the rehearsal and performance process

Video submissions are also accepted, they are due by MIDNIGHT on Monday, January 27,, 2025 and the auditioner must be available for a callback. Contact the director, August Scarpelli, at august@thewrp.org ahead of time for instructions.

Any questions or concerns may be directed toaugust@thewrp.org. We welcome actors of all backgrounds and encourage everyone to audition.

***No equity contracts available at this time. All positions are volunteer.

The genders/ages outlined below are as indicated by the script; however, they do not have to match your actual identity or age, provided you feel confident in portraying the character. None of these parts are precast. All levels of actors wanted!

Roles Available:

Titus Andronicus, a noble Roman general, age 30+, any race/gender, stage combat required

Lavinia, his daughter, age 18+, any rae/gender, stage combat required

Saturninus, elder son of the former Roman emperor, later emperor, age 25+, any race/gender, stage combat required

Bassianus, younger son of the former emperor, age 25+, any race/gender, stage combat required

Tamora, Queen of the Goths, later empress, age 25+, any race/gender, stage combat required

Aaron, the Moor, Tamora’s lover, age 18+, Black/indigenous/person of color, any gender, stage combat required

Marcus Andronicus, Titus’s brother, a Roman tribune, age 25+, any race/gender,

Lucius {

Mutius {Titus’ Sons } age 18+, any race/gender,

Martius {

Quintus {

Young Lucius, his grandson,age 15+, any race/gender,

Demetrius {

Chiron {Tamora’s sons } age 18+, any race/gender,

Alarbus

Publius, Marcus’ son age 18+, any race/gender,

Sempronius {

Caius {Titus’s kinsmen } age 18+, any race/gender,

Valentine

Aemilius, A Roman nobleman, age 18+, any race/gender,

Messenger, Nurse, A Roman Captain, Country Fellow ,First Goth, Second Goth

Tribunes, Senators, Romans, Goths, Drummers, Trumpeters, Soldiers, Guards, Attendants, age 18+, any race/gender,

What to prepare:

Please Prepare the following speech:

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep,

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub:

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause—there's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,

The insolence of office, and the spurns

That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscovere'd country, from whose bourn

No traveller returns, puzzles the will,

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pith and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry

And lose the name of action.