Theatre Arts Program
AUDITION FOR TWELFTH NIGHT BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Directed by Dr. Jennifer Thompson
Click here to sign up for an audition slot.
Tuesday, March 21, 6:30-8:30 (Theatre Arts Offices*)
Wednesday, March 22, 6:30-8:30 (Room 221**)
Possible Callbacks Wed, March 22, 8:30-9:30
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions are open to all in the Penn community—no experience or prerequisites required. Please note that we are also seeking actor-musicians and musician-musicians!
To audition, please sign up for one ten-minute slot on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please note that there may be callbacks on Wednesday from 8:30-9:30.
*On Tuesday, 3/21, auditions will be in the Theatre Arts Suite offices on the Upper Mezzanine level of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Enter the Annenberg Center and come up to the top floor.
**On Wednesday, 3/22, auditions will take place in Room 221 on the Stage Level of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Take the elevator to the SL floor and turn right to find room 221.
You may bring in a Shakespearean monologue of your choice OR click here to select a scene from the Google Drive folder. You may perform your audition with script-in-hand.
ABOUT TWELFTH NIGHT
Shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, Viola finds herself stranded on the shores of Illyria. She disguises herself as a man, and calling herself Cesario enters the service of Duke Orsino, who has fallen hard for Olivia. But Olivia still grieves the loss of her dear brother and cannot be bothered with love. Or men. Or DRUNKEN UNCLES WHO KEEP STAYING OUT ALL NIGHT TO PARTY. But the Duke is not the type to be deterred in his pursuit of love, especially when he can send someone for him! He tasks Cesario (aka Viola) to woo Olivia, but things do not go as planned. Olivia falls for Cesario. Viola falls for the Duke. And a band of ragtag, rowdy misfits and musicians make all kinds of mischief. How will this fadge? That is a knot for time (and Shakespeare!) to untie.
One of Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies, TWELFTH NIGHT ebulliently captures the desire for joy, connection, and reinvention that comes after we wash ashore following our darkest days.
Available Roles
Please audition for the role you most connect to/find the most joy in, regardless of “type” or gender-identity.
VIOLA: At the start of the play, Viola has lost everything: her brother, her home, the life she knew. To survive, she reinvents herself. Out of the wreckage, Viola finds herself falling in love.
ORSINO: The Duke of Illyria and a devotee of feeling deeply. A lover of good music, good wine, beautiful flowers, beautiful people, and himself.
OLIVIA: Wealthy, glamorous, and witty, Olivia takes no prisoners. She loved her brother and will honor his memory and mourn him properly. She has no time for love, till its TIME.
SEBASTIAN: Viola’s twin brother, he too seeks connection and friendship after his greatest loss.
MALVOLIO: A steward in Olivia’s household. Malvolio has a strong sense of order and a firm commitment to the moral universe he understands. He’s here to do what’s right, not what’s liked. But when he thinks Olivia might love him, he will ANSWER THE CALL. Note: Malvolio gets bullied and it’s merciless. We cannot hide from this deeply troubling aspect of the play. I love this role, it’s got a show-stopping monologue, but the actor must be comfortable enacting this scenario (i.e. you should be someone who is good at separating rehearsal from life and is able to take good care of yourself and communicate with your company about your needs.)
MARIA: Olivia’s gentlewoman. She is very good at her job. She can handle herself. Maria also has a mischievous streak and will enable some mayhem as long as it doesn’t interfere with her job. Until she goes too far.
SIR TOBY BELCH: The drunk uncle. He’s a lot of fun, till he’s not.
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK: Sir Andrew loves to party with Toby. But he’s sensitive! Mostly he goes along with the crowd, though he might regret it afterwards.
FESTE: The court jester, the class clown. Feste can go toe to toe with anyone and likes to be provocative—but he is not cruel. Smart, charming, and sees through everyone’s B.S. Ideally, this actor will be a musician capable of leading a band.
ANTONIO: A sea captain and a deeply loyal, self-sacrificing friend to Sebastian.
PLUS SOME OTHER SERVANTS, GENTLEPEOPLE, MISFITS, and SEA CAPTAINS
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule
All cast members must be able to register for THAR3500 (see below) which will meet on Wednesdays from 3:30pm-6:30pm from the start of the Fall 2023 semester through Wednesday, 11/8. Students should also plan to be called to additional rehearsals outside of the scheduled class time (at a mutually agreed-upon schedule), and should be free during Tech week (11/11-11/15), performances (11/16-11/19), and strike (11/19).
About Theatre Arts 3500 (a credit-bearing course)
Theatre Arts 3500: Rehearsal and Performance is designed to provide students with deep intellectual and artistic immersion in the theatrical process through intensive research, rehearsal, and performance of a full-length stage piece. Students may enroll in this course as actors through audition, or as stage managers through interview. Other non-credit bearing positions, such as scenery build and running crew, with accordingly fewer hours of commitment, are available as well. Please contact Cat Johnson, catj@sas.upenn.edu, if you are interested in non-acting roles.
Students who are offered acting roles or stage management roles will be required to register for THAR3500. The course meets on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm and provides 1 CU, which will count towards your course limit for the semester.