Hamlet Auditions The Long Beach Shakespeare Company
This is a non-union no pay productions
All auditions, rehearsals, and performances are at The Helen Borgers Theatre 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach CA.
Our website is www.LBShakespeare.org
Auditions are by appointment only on Saturday, Jan 4, 2020
Please submit your photo and resume to
simplydanarae@aol.com
Subject line: Hamlet – Broadway World
Please Prepare 2 contrasting Shakespearean monologues no more than 2 minutes in length for each.
You must be available for all tech rehearsals and performances. We do not use understudies.
You may not be called for all rehearsal dates but we do consider your availability when casting
REHEARSALS
Sat. Jan 25 @ 12-6 read thru and measurements
Sun. Jan 26 @12-6
Mon -Thurs Jan 27,28,29,30 @ 7pm-10 pm
Mon -Thurs. Feb 3,4,5,6 @ 7pm- 10pm
Sat. Feb 8 @ 12-6
Sun Feb 9 @ 12-6
Mon-Thurs. Feb 10,11,12, 13 @ 7pm-10 pm
Sun Feb 16 @ 12-6pm
Mon-Thurs. Feb 17,18,19,20 @ 7pm
Tech begins
Sat.Feb 22 @12-6pm
Sun.Feb 23 @12-6pm
Mon. Feb 24 @ 7pm
Tues Feb 25 Dress 7pm
Wed Feb 26 Dress 7pm
Thurs Feb 27 Invitational Dress 7pm
Performances
Fri. & Sat. nights call time 7pm
Show time 8pm. ( no show Fri. March 6)
Sun. call time 1pm show time 2pm
Feb 28,29
March 1,7,8,13,14,15,20,21
Sun. March 22 Strike @1pm EVERYONE CALLED
Summary: Hamlet, heir to the throne of Denmark, is visited by his father’s ghost, revealing that he had been murdered by the new king, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. Claudius has since assumed the throne and secured his place by marrying Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude. This production focuses on Hamlet as he wrestles with cowardice and mortality before finding the hero within himself.
Character Breakdown
Hamlet: 20’s / Male – Hamlet starts the play heartbroken and belittled, but as the play proceeds, he wrestles with own sense of self worth and mortality, eventually finding the hero within himself to avenge his father and assert his place in the kingdom, thereupon dying. Energetically moody and quick in word and action.
Claudius: 40’s / Male – Claudius is smart, resourceful, and tough. His presence is formidable. He seems natural in the role of the king and is well liked. He seems to genuinely care for the queen, who is the only one he seems beholden to.
Gertrude: 40’s-50’s/ Female – Gertrude seems to radiate grace and dignity at the beginning of play, seemingly unaffected by her husband’s death, but as she sees the world around her fall apart, she does as well. She is able to put on a brave face. Is clever and distant, but not cold.
Ophelia: 20’s / Female – Highly empathetic, feels the tension within the castle and even more acutely, Hamlet’s sorrow. She and Hamlet start the play very much in love and she is there for him for his father’s funeral and mother’s wedding. She is strong willed, but somewhat odd and whimsical, even from the outset. Sensitive, caring, weird.
Laertes: 20’s-30’s / Female – Presented as a sister in this production, Laertes is close with her little sister and speaks to her fondly and gives advice without domineering. Exceedingly tough and athletic, Laertes gives off Wonder Woman vibes, though she can be a headstrong and vengeful. Will double for Player Queen, who is the faithful apprentice to the much older Player King, giving her own strong performance in “The Mouse Trap”.
Polonius: 50+ / male – Not the doting old man usually seen, Polonius is actually quite competent, though he runs off at the mouth a bit. He is genuinely good natured and doesn’t actively mean anybody any harm, but gets too nosey and misses the mark completely. Likeable and purposefully funny.
Ghost: 50+ / male – Though supernatural, the ghost is Hamlet’s father, caring for his son deeply as well as missing his wife, Gertrude. He misses being alive and now exists only to see vengeance on Claudius. Stately, regal, sorrowful, a glimpse of hope and dread. Will double for Player king who is a powerful and gifted actor, not over the top.
Horatio: 20s / any gender – Horatio is Hamlet’s best friend and sole confidant. Horatio is loyal above all else and is resolved to help Hamlet from beginning to end. Fearless, caring, heroic from the start.
Rosencrantz: 20s / any gender – A good friend of Hamlet, coming to help out their friend more out of genuine care for Hamlet than for the king and queen as with their partner, Guildenstern. Blunter and more robust of the two, there is something sweet, but stupid about Rosencrantz, bless their heart. Will double for Bernardo (a brave and trustworthy soldier) and Grave Digger 1 (a filthy bit of comic relief).
Guildenstern: 20’s / any gender – A good friend of Hamlet, coming more to garner favor with the queen and king than out of genuine care for Hamlet as with their partner, Guildenstern. Subtler and politic of the two, there is something sinister, but clever about Guildenstern. Will double for Marcellus (a brave and trustworthy soldier) and Grave Digger 2 (a filthy bit of comic relief).
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