Othello Auditions

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT for Governors State University’s Theatre and Performance Studies Spring 2023 production of…

OTHELLO by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Jane F. Cox

PERFORMANCE DATES:
April 6-8, 2023 (three performances) at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts

ABOUT THE PLAY:
The script to Othello can be accessed through this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZRjHwFAgwO8vOGunhEuMz7WON3iur7n/view?usp=sharing.

This contemporary adaptation finds Shakespeare’s characters transported to modern day while retaining the eloquence and vitality of the bard’s original text.

Othello is a successful Black woman who has everything: power, respect, and the love of her fair Desdemona – not to mention the contempt of the cunning, back stabbing, ladder-climbing, lago.
Threatened by, and resentful of the power couples’ happiness, lago preys on Othello’s insecurities—using insidious race, class, gender and sexual warfare to poison Othello’s mind and convince her that Desdemona’s devotion is fleeting and false.

This powerful tale of prejudice, inequity, discrimination, and jealousy is full of wit and action, and a few surprises as well.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION:
We welcome all Governors State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as local community members, to audition for OTHELLO. All performers must be fully vaccinated. It is our intention that masks will not be required for performers. This is a non-paying production.

CASTING:
Seeking a versatile and diverse ensemble of 10-12 performers (4 female-identifying, 4 male-identifying, and 2-4 gender flexible roles).

ROLES
Othello: Female, 25-45. General of the Venetian Army. A powerful and respected Black woman, with hidden insecurities that Iago manipulates. Her intense love for her wife, Desdemona, is turned against her.
Ethnicity: Black / African Descent

Iago: Male, 25-55. Othello's ensign. Generally respected and trusted by all. He is secretly furious at being passed over for the promotion of lieutenant and is jealous of, and threatened by, Othello's and Cassio's advancement and success. Iago secretly delights in the manipulation and destruction of others.
Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Desdemona: Female, 20-30. Loving and devoted wife to Othello, whom she marries in secret before the play begins. Daughter of Senator Brabantio. In this adaptation, Desdemona is bisexual - something that Iago uses to prey upon Othello's insecurities.
Ethniticy: White / Caucasian

Cassio: Male, 25-35. Othello's newly appointed lieutenant. Good looking and charming. Devoted to Othello.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Emilia: Female, 25-50; Wife to Iago. Friend and maid to Desdemona.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Roderigo: Male, 18-30. Young, rich, and foolish friend of Iago's. Jealous of Othello for marrying Desdemona and desperate to win Desdemona for himself.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities

Brabantio: Gender Flexible; 55+; Desdemona's parent and Senator of Venice. Feels betrayed when Desdemona marries Othello without permission. This role can be doubled with Gratiano.
Ethnicity: White / Caucasian

Duke: Gender Flexible, 40+; The official authority in Venice. Respects Othello and sends her to Cyprus to defend against the Turks. This role can be doubled with Lodovico.
Ethnicity: All ethnicities

Montano: Male, 25-50; Governor of Cyprus prior to Othello's arrival.
Ethnicity: All ethnicities

Bianca: Female, 20-30. A sex worker in Cyprus who is in love with Cassio.
Ethnicity: All ethnicities

Lodovico: Gender Flexible; 30+. Brabantio's relative from Venice. Brings news that Cassio has replaced Othello as governor in Cyprus. This role can be doubled with the Duke.
Ethnicity: All ethnicities

Gratiano: Gender Flexible, 50+; Another of Brabantio's relatives, accompanies Lodovico from Venice to Cyprus. This role can be doubled with Brabantio.
Ethnicity: All ethnicities

PREPARATION:
15-minute audition slots will be held in person at Governors State University Wednesday, January 25 in Engbretson Hall and Thursday, January 26 in Sherman Hall starting at 5 p.m..
A memorized 1-2 minute Shakespearean monologue is preferred but not required. Those who do not prepare a memorized monologue will be asked to do a cold reading of 1-3 monologues from the script.

SCHEDULE AN AUDITION:
Auditions will be held at Governors State University. January 25 auditions will be held in Engbretson Hall and January 26 auditions will be held in Sherman Hall.

Follow the below FOUR steps:
1. Click "JOIN" on your desired date and time.
2. Enter your FIRST and LAST name.
3. Enter your e-mail address.
4. Click "JOIN".

Once completed, you should receive a confirmation e-mail with a link and instructions on how to cancel your slot if necessary. Please SAVE THIS E-MAIL in case you need to cancel or switch time slots. If you are unable to make the audition, please cancel as soon as possible to free up the slot for someone else.

BEFORE THE AUDITION:
Please look at current TAPS program policies here: https://sites.google.com/view/gsu-taps/home

Prior to your audition date you'll receive a digital audition form to COMPLETE, PRINT, and RETURN at your audition.

CALLBACKS:
Callbacks will be held on Saturday, January 28, from 1 to 4:00 p.m. in Sherman Hall, are by invitation only, and will consist of cold readings from the script.

FIRST REHEARSAL:
First rehearsal is scheduled for the week of January 30, 2023. .

CONTACT:
For further information or to express interest working backstage (we need all kinds of assistance!), contact production manager, Ellen Dillon: edillon@govst.edu

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