OPEN AUDITIONS: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by Harriet Owen Nixon

Open Auditions: October 26 & 27

Callbacks: October 28

Rehearsal Timeframe: November - January

Evening Performances (7:30pm): January 22, 23, 29, 30

Matinee Performances (2:30pm): January 24, 31

Content Label: PG; discussions of death, sexual innuendo

The Majestic Theatre (a division of the City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation department) is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to creating a welcoming place for actors of all backgrounds to explore their craft. We are particularly eager to work with artists of color and other artists from marginalized communities. All auditions are free and open to the public. This audition is for an amateur, volunteer production. The Majestic Theatre staff and volunteers do not discriminate on the basis of age, national origin, race, gender, ethnic background, ability, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any protected class.

Auditions will be held in person at the Majestic Theatre. Auditions are open to anyone, and prospective actors may attend one or both nights. Callbacks are by invitation only. Remember that if you are not called back, this does not mean you have not been cast; conversely, if you are called back, this is not a guarantee that you will be cast.

SHOW SYNOPSIS

Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm’s-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare’s play. In the great Tom Stoppard’s best-known work, this Shakespearean Laurel and Hardy finally get a chance to take the lead role, but do so in a world where reality and illusion are entwined, and where fate leads our two heroes to a tragic but inevitable end.

FROM THE DIRECTOR HARRIET OWEN-NIXON

"Do you ever think of yourself as actually dead, laying in a box with a lid on it?”, Rosencrantz asks Guildenstern as we join them on their existential journey. They ponder all the things; fate, life, death, the question of free will, this chaotic world, and the futility of everything.

You know, just like any good comedy. Just like any good life.

And who hasn’t posed this question to themselves or others, or some version of this thought? If you haven’t, perhaps you are now.

We know what happens to R and G, we know where it all ends, we know, we know, we know, and yet we cannot stop the inevitable, and neither can they.

And yet we laugh, we enjoy their company, we like them, we watch their actions one by one as they trudge towards their fated doom. We can’t stop them; they can’t stop themselves. The futility of it all, laying in a box with a lid on it.

(‘Box with a lid on it’ is used in a metaphorical sense, no performers will be unwillingly boxed during the show).

We would love to see you at auditions!

PREPARATION NOTES

You do NOT need to prepare a monologue or piece. 

Wear comfortable clothes and footwear to auditions; be ready to move and play.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

All characters do not have a specific race or ethnic background; we're excited to see a diverse pool of actors audition for all roles. 

Due to mature themes in the show, we recommend auditioners be age 14 and up; ages not listed in character descriptions as we will decide presentation ages with casting choices.

Some roles will be performed gender-specific per the script as shown in character descriptions.

Cast size is flexible; doubling possible, non-speaking Tragedians will be needed.

Rosencrantz

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Referred to in the script using he/him pronouns; onstage presentation can be more fluid

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Very heavy

Ability/movement/intimacy: Must be able to climb into and out of a barrel; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: Rosencrantz has a carefree and artless personality that masks deep dread about their fate.

Guildenstern

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Referred to in the script using he/him pronouns; onstage presentation can be more fluid

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Very heavy

Ability/movement/intimacy: Must be able to climb into and out of a barrel; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: Guildenstern is a meditative person who believes they can understand (makes dramatic gesture) life.

The Player

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Referred to in the script using he/him pronouns; onstage presentation can be more fluid

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Heavy

Ability/movement/intimacy: While this role has the potential to be very physically active, actors of all mobilities are invited to audition and will be considered; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: The Player is an enigmatic figure with cunning wit and a confident air.

Hamlet

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Male-presenting

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Medium

Ability/movement/intimacy: No mobility requirements; no fight choreography; intimacy choreography with the actor playing Ophelia is probable but negotiable.

Character Description: In the midst of a deep personal crisis (father dies, uncle takes the throne, uncle marries Hamlet’s mother); Hamlet’s strange behavior confuses the other characters, especially Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Tragedians

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Any

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Medium to very light

Ability/movement/intimacy: While these roles have the potential to be very physically active, actors of all mobilities are invited to audition and will be considered; no fight choreography; intimacy choreography is a negotiable possibility.

Character Description: A group of traveling thespians who specialize in melodramatic and sensationalistic performances. 

(Note – The Tragedians will move set pieces, produce all sound effects, and provide a constant energetic presence throughout the show. Between five and ten actors will be cast in these roles.)

Claudius

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Male-presenting

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Light

Ability/movement/intimacy: No mobility requirements; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: Hamlet’s sinister uncle who tries to exploit the friendship between Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern and Hamlet.

Gertrude

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Female-presenting

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Light

Ability/movement/intimacy: No mobility requirements; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: Hamlet’s mother and the queen of Denmark. Married to Claudius, but does care for Hamlet’s well-being and sincerely hopes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can help him.

Polonius

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Male-presenting

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Light

Ability/movement/intimacy: No mobility requirements; no intimacy or fight choreography.

Character Description: A member of the Danish court and adviser to Claudius; a shifty man, willing to interrogate Hamlet and even spy on him to learn what he wants to know.

Ophelia

Character Age: Any

Character Race/Ethnicity: Any

Character Gender: Female-presenting

Desired Actor Gender: Any

Line Burden: Light

Ability/movement/intimacy: No mobility requirements; no fight choreography; intimacy choreography with the actor playing Hamlet is probable but negotiable.

Character Description: The daughter of Polonius and Hamlet’s former(?) beloved; in a state of shock and anguish as a result of Hamlet’s bizarre conduct.