Walterdale Playhouse

Director: Anne Marie Szucs

Assistant Director: Monica Roberts

Stage Manager: Mel Samson

Performance Dates: December 1 – 11, 2010

Audition Dates: Sunday, August 29, 2010 & Monday, August 30, 2010; 7 – 10 pm at Walterdale Playhouse (10322 – 83 Avenue)

Call-backs: Wednesday, September 1, 2010; 7 – 9 pm; Location TBA

Rehearsals will begin in early September. The rehearsal schedule will be light in September but will pick up in intensity during October and November. Rehearsals will be scheduled around actor availability whenever possible.

Synopsis of Play: Young lovers Hero and Claudio are to be married in one week. To pass the time, they conspire with Don Pedro to set a “lover’s trap” for Benedick, an arrogant confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favourite sparring partner. Meanwhile, the evil Don John conspires to break up the wedding by accusing Hero of infidelity. In the end, though, it all turns out to be “much ado about nothing.”

Characters:

Please note:  The age ranges below are suggestions only. As well, there is the possibility that some of the male roles may be played by female actors (as indicated below).

• Benedick, male, 20s to 40s
• Beatrice, female, 20s to 40s
• Claudio, male, 20s to 30s
• Hero, female, 20s to 30s
• Don Pedro, male, 20s to 50s
• Margaret, female, 20s to 30s
• Don John, male, 20s to 50s
• Ursula, female, 30s to 50s
• Leonato, male, 40s to 60s
• Antonio/Antonia, male or female, 40s to 60s
• Dogberry, male, 20s and up
• Balthasar/Baltha, male or female, 20s to 30s (should be able to sing)
• Borachio, male, 20s to 40s
• Conrade/Constanza, male or female, 20s to 40s
• Verges, male, 30s and up
• Two Watchmen, both male, 20s and up
• Sexton, male, 40s to 60s
• Friar Francis, male, 30s to 60s
• There may be a couple of nonspeaking chorus roles (male and female) as well.

Audition Expectations:

You will be auditioning with a group of 4 to 5 other actors in a half-hour slot. Please prepare an appropriate Shakespearean monologue; memorization is not required. You may be asked to cold read from the play, so please familiarize yourself with it before auditioning.

An online version of the play is available at http://shakespeare.mit.edu/much_ado/full.html or via email by contacting Kent Sutherland, Walterdale Administrator, at walterph@telus.net or 780-439-3058.

To book an audition or for further information, please contact Anne Marie Szucs at amszucs@xplornet.com or 780-903-5136. Drop-ins are also welcome. Those auditioning should be prepared to submit availability times during the rehearsal period. A résumé and headshot are recommended, but not required.

Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers