AUDITION NOTICE
‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare.
Director: James Ricks (Artistic Director)
AUDITION DATES: September 13th – 14th from 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
LOCATION: Centenary United Methodist Church – 411 E. Grace St.
(Entrance is at back of church off Franklin St.)
Please Bring:
• One 2-minute Shakespeare monologue (or any contemporary of his) in verse.
• One current stapled headshot and resume.
• Please highlight your stage combat and movement experience, if you have any.
Book Your Slot: To book a five-minute slot, please contact production stage manger, Nata Moriconi at: Nata@RichmondShakespeare.org
Performance venue: Dominion Energy Center’s Gottwald Playhouse
Rehearsal Dates: Rehearsals begin Saturday, February 14th
Performance Dates: March 27th – April 12th, with a possible one-week extension
• PLEASE NOTE: This production will have 4-6 student matinees. Actors must be available for these performances.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN.
ACTORS OF ALL RACES, GENDER IDENTITIES, BODY TYPES, AND ABILITIES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO AUDITION.
Character Breakdown:
Macbeth: Male-identifying, 40-60 A brave and experienced soldier, married to Lady MabBeth, his ambition begins to run wild after hearing three witches prophesy that he will be made King. Impetuous, passionate, susceptible to dreams of power and glory, he puts aside all morals in order to fulfill his ambitions. Deeply in love and connected to his wife, with whom he plots the murders of all who stand between himself and the crown. This role requires physical intimacy with Lady Macbeth and fight choreography. Stage combat experience preferred.
Lady Macbeth: Female-identifying, 40-60 Poised, well bred, fiercely intelligent; married to Macbeth. Ultimately a deeply ambitious woman who wants position and power, but later falls victim to guilt and madness over her complicity in plotting the murders of Duncan, Banquo and others. Deeply in love and passionately connected to her husband. This role requires physical intimacy with Macbeth.
The Weird Sisters: Any gender, 25-70. Three very powerful, otherworldly and androgynous creatures who prophesy that MacBeth will be king, setting into motion the plot of the play. They can cast spells and influence people and events. They are present in human form as servants in Macbeth’s castle after his encounter with them. Dance experience, Grotowski or mask experience a plus.
MacDuff: Male-identifying, 30-50 A powerful, vital soldier, who mistrusts Macbeth and his rise to the throne, even before Macbeth arranges the murder of Macduff’s wife and child. A formidable and worthy opponent, he leads the movement to remove Macbeth from the throne, in order to avenge the death of his family and to put the rightful heir on the throne. Athletic and fierce. In every way the ultimate protagonist. This role requires fight experience
Banquo: All Genders, 30-45 Straightforward, clear, uncomplicated, upstanding. They are with Macbeth when the witches make their fateful prophecy that Macbeth will be King and that their (Banquo’s) heirs will be kings. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not succumb to the temptation to engineer these prophecies. Their character is a stark contrast to Macbeth’s; they choose a path in which ambition does not lead to betrayal and murder. After Banquo is murdered, they return as a ghost to rebuke MacBeth for their actions. Fight experience preferred.
Duncan: All Genders, 50-70 The King who is brutally murdered by MacBeth. A strong and just ruler and a figure of indisputable authority. Generous with praise for Macbeth and Banquo, who have fought bravely for the nation.
Malcolm: All Genders, 20-35. The eldest child of Duncan and heir to the throne. Somewhat innocent, but thoroughly noble. A sensitive, young leading person of great potential and inspiration.
Lady MacDuff: Female-identifying, 25-45. Macduff’s wife and mother of their young son. Sweet, poised, lovely, loves her child, with whom she has a great rapport. Our hearts should ache to see her murdered. This role requires physical intimacy with MacDuff’s Child and fight choreography. Stage combat experience is beneficial.
Ross: All Genders 30-40 A noble, serves Duncan and later Macbeth but comes to understand Macbeth’s moral corruption. In the meantime, serves as a kind of consigliere, often bearing difficult news. Later joins with Macduff and Malcolm to remove Macbeth from the throne.
Lennox: All Genders, 25-40. A noble, serves Duncan. Of good breeding with an essential goodness and an innocent, sweet quality. Later joins with Macduff and Malcolm to remove Macbeth from the throne.
Donalbain: Male identifying, teens – 20’s. Junior royal. Wary, quick to flee, but saavy beyond his years.
Fleance: Any Gender, 13-18 . Banquo’s child. Quiet and perceptive. And symbolically important to the future.
MacDuff’s Child: All Genders, 10-17. Child to the Macduffs, a bright, articulate youth, clever, sweet, innocent. This role requires physical intimacy with Lady MacDuff and fight choreography. Stage combat experience is beneficial, but not necessary.
Angus: All Genders, 20-35. A noble, serves Duncan. Seen with Ross and Lennox.
Caithness: All Genders 25-35. A noble, serves Duncan. Seen with Ross and Lennox. Fight experience beneficial.
Porter: Male-identifying, 50-70. A drinker, he’s a caretaker at MacBeth’s castle who must answer the door in the middle of the night. Must have strong comedy skills. (may double with Old Man, 2nd Murderer, Doctor) This role requires fight choreography. Stage combat experience is beneficial, but not necessary.
Hecate: Any Gender, 20’s-60’s. Leader of the witches, and all things nasty in the spirit world. Elegant, controlling and enigmatice presence required.
Richmond Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.