The Longwood Players

As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Kaitlyn Chantry

As You Like It will be performed November 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 8pm, and November 20 at 2pm, at the Cambridge YMCA Theatre in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. Please read on for informtion on auditions, the cast of characters, a show synopsis, a tentative rehearsal schedule, and production staff openings.

Audition Information

Auditions:
Tue Aug 24, 7-10pm
Wed Aug 25, 7-10pm
Thu Aug 26, 7-10pm

Callbacks:
Sun Aug 29, 1-5pm

Auditions will be held at the Cambridge YMCA Theatre, 820 Mass. Ave., Central Square.

How to prepare for auditions:

Sign up for a one-hour audition slot using this form. If you wish to reserve a slot by phone, contact Vilas Sridharan at 617-877-3868.
All auditionees should prepare a 1-2 minute comedic Shakespearean monologue. Please do not use a monologue from As You Like It, do not perform a Shakespearean sonnet, and do not perform any non-Shakespearean classical work. Please do not perform your audition monologue in any accent other than your own natural speaking voice (i.e. do not audition with an English accent).
You may use a monologue from one of the tragedies or histories, provided it is comedic in nature.
In addition to this prepared monologue, you may be asked to read a scene or monologue from As You Like It as part of your initial audition. Callbacks may include a small portion of improvisation.
Fill out this audition form and bring it with you to your audition.
Bring a head shot and resume, if available.

If you do not receive an email confirming your audition slot within 3 days, you need to cancel or change your audition slot, or to request more information, please contact Vilas Sridharan at vilas@longwoodplayers.org or 617-877-3868 as soon as possible.

Cast of characters

All actors will play at least two roles: the Shakespearean character, as described below, and a modern-day actor portraying that character. The show will be heavily ensemble-oriented, with some minor interactions with the audience and minor improvisation. Experience with improv is beneficial, but not required.

Rosalind (female, age 20-30): The plucky heroine. She falls in love with Orlando, but is exiled from court and disguises herself as a boy. The interactions between Orlando and Rosalind's male alter ego, plus the subsequent romance, make up the central plot of the play.

Orlando (male, age 20-30): The young stalwart protagonist. He falls in love with Rosalind, but must flee to the forest after a falling out with his oldest brother, Oliver.

Celia (female, age 20-30): Rosalind's best friend and cousin. When Rosalind is banished, Celia disguises herself as a shepherdess and runs away with Rosalind in protest. Celia falls in love with Orlando's brother, Oliver.

Touchstone (male, age 20 and up): Duke Frederick's fool, whom Celia and Rosalind take with them when they flee the court. Touchstone is a bawdy character, whose surprise love for Audrey makes up a subplot to the play.

Jaques (male or female, age 20 and up): A melancholy lord, exiled with Duke Senior to the forest of Arden. Jaques delivers the famous "All the world's a stage..." speech.

Oliver (male, age 25-35): Orlando's oldest brother. Jealousy causes him to treat Orlando poorly and, eventually, cast him out. After the brothers' reconciliation, Oliver falls in love with Celia, disguised as Aliena.

Duke Senior (male, age 40 and up): A kindly older gentleman and father to Rosalind. He is exiled by his greedy brother, Frederick, who usurps the dukedom. The two dukes' fight and Senior's exile to the forest of Arden make up the primary subplot of the play. *this role may be doubled with Duke Frederick*

Duke Frederick (male, age 40 and up): A malicious and ambitious man, who usurps his brother's rightful place and exiles him. Father to Celia. *this role may be doubled with Duke Senior*

Phebe (female, age 20-30): A shepherdess that falls in love with Rosalind, in her male disguise. Her mistaken love for Rosalind and her rejection of the devoted shepherd Silvius, is one of the play's subplots.

Silvius (male, age 20-30): A shepherd that is devotedly in love with Phebe, despite her repeated rejection.

Audrey (female, age 20 and up): A somewhat dull-witted goatherder. Audrey attracts the love of the fool Touchstone.

Adam (male or female, age 20 and up): Devoted servant of Orlando. *this role may be played by The Usher, see below...*

The Usher (male or female, age 20 and up): A member of the house crew for the show will be "unwittingly" forced to come on stage and play all the incidental roles in the show. This includes: Le Beau the courtier, Charles the wrestler, Amiens the musician, Jacques (brother of Orlando and Oliver), Dennis (Oliver's servant), Corin (an elderly shepherd), William (a country man), Sir Oliver Martext (the curate), Hymen (the god of marriage), and other pages, musicians, hunters, and lords.

Synopsis

See here for a synopsis of the show.

Rehearsal Information

As You Like It will rehearse according to the following tentative schedule:

• Rehearsals begin on September 7, 2010
• Rehearsals are held Sundays from 2:30pm-5:30pm, and Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7pm-10pm
• Tech Week begins on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Please be available all nights and weekends from then through opening.

Depending on your role, you may not be required to be present at every rehearsal. The schedule will be planned with care to ensure that you are only called when needed for that particular night’s scene work. Please be sure to list all conflicts on audition forms. Most rehearsals will be in Davis Square; some rehearsals will be in Central Square.

Production Staff

We are currently looking to fill the following production staff positions for As You Like It. If you are interested in one of these positions, please send an email stating your interest along with a theater resume to the Production Manager, Vilas Sridharan, at vilas@longwoodplayers.org. Please note that experience is helpful but not necessary, and we welcome first-time designers and staff.

Open positions:

Set Designer
Technical Director
Light Designer
Props Designer
Master Carpenter
Stage Crew
Sound Board Operator
Wardrobe Manager / Head Dresser

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