SIST Auditions: A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
CATEGORY: Performer
Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company
Staten Island, NY
US
Job Details
DESCRIPTION
Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company Audition Announcement:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Kendall Carnahan
Assistant Director: Ariel Marcus-Hollenbeck
Stage Manager: McKenna McQueen
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most timeless classics that invites the audience into the fantastical realm of the fairies as it humorously entwines with our own. As we see our star-crossed lovers on a quest to follow their hearts, we also find a band of struggling actors rehearsing a play for Theseus’s nuptial day. Chaos and hilarity ensue when love spells mistake their targets, sacred vows are betrayed, and characters prove themselves to be quite an ass. Balance is finally restored when all spells are undone and harmony between our two worlds is mended.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays contain memorable characters, but A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an actor’s playground that offers such a depth of exploration in archetypal characters and how they can be molded and translated into people we see today. Shakespeare offers us a blank canvas and the script as a tool to explore our relationship with nature and how our Athenians interact and connect with each other and their environment. This company will explore a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream where the mortals are modern characters, juxtaposed with a fairy world built solely through nature.
Auditions will take place on Friday, March 27th from 5:30 to 10:00pm, and Saturday, March 28th, from 9:00 to 1:00pm, 1:30 to 5:00pm in The Learning Center, Building G, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301.
Callbacks will take place on Saturday, March 28th from 6:00-9:00pm in The Learning Center, Building G, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301.
To make an audition appointment email Stage Manager McKenna McQueen at [email protected] with a preferable time slot and information on whether or not you will be bringing an instrument and we will accommodate as best as possible.
Performances will take place at the Connie Gretz Secret Garden at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.
Friday, June 5th – 8:00pm
Saturday, June 6th – 8:00pm
Thursday, June 11th – 8:00pm
Friday, June 12th – 8:00pm
Saturday, June 13th – 8:00pm
Rehearsals will take place in the evening on Monday’s, Tuesday’s, and Wednesday’s in April and Monday’s Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s in May in person on Staten Island at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. The first read through will take place on Friday, April 3rd.
ALL ROLES ARE OPEN. There will be a $100 stipend provided to actors.
Please prepare a comedic Shakespearean monologue not exceeding 60 seconds. Memorized is preferred, but we would rather have you on book than not there if interested.
This production is also interested in casting actors/musicians. If you are an actor/musician who plays a portable instrument of any style please bring it with you to play as a part of your audition. Please prepare a snippet from a song you love.
CHARACTERS
Theseus (30s-40s) Any Gender- The Duke of Athens. Proud, bold, and domineering with a sense of confidence that is completely unshakeable.
Hippolyta (30s-40s) Any Gender- Queen of the Amazons. In all parts equal to Theseus with a very similar sense of pride and confidence.
Egeus (40s-50s) M- The father of Hermia. He craves control and power over his daughter and will assert his right to his title at all costs. Loyal follower of Theseus.
Hermia (18-20s) Feminine Presenting- Outspoken, fiercely loyal, and never afraid to speak up. Hard headed and naive. Head over heels in love with Lysander.
Lysander (18-20s) Male Presenting- Young and boyish. Is undeniably in love with Hermia and will do anything to be with her. Truthful and modest.
Demetrius (18-20s) Male Presenting- Arrogant and prideful. Pursues Hermia after leading Helena on in a cruel way. Callous and manipulative.
Helena (18-20s) Feminine Presenting- Witty, determined, and decisive. Naively follows after Demetrius but gains a sense of awareness by the end of the play.
Puck (Any Gender)- Oberon’s right hand. Playful, whimsical, and mischievous. Views the human world as their own version of reality TV. Flexible and agile.
Oberon (Double Cast as Theseus) Any gender- King of the Fairies. Bruteish, controlling, and cunning. Loves to cause mischief but maintains an air of nobility.
Titania (Double Cast as Hippolyta) Any Gender- Queen of the Fairies. Motherly, proud, and ethereal. Undeniable and charismatic presence.
Bottom (Any Age) Any Gender- Working class actor. Will do anything to perform while remaining ridiculously overconfident. A true thespian with overestimated talent.
Peter Quince (Any Age) Any Gender- Working class actor. The level headed director of the company. A passionate peacemaker.
Francis Flute (Any Age) Any Gender- Working class actor. Youngest in the group but is eager to please.
Robin Starveling (Any Age) Any Gender- Working class actor. Awkward and sensitive. Needs reassurance.
Tom Snout (Any Age) Any Gender-Working class actor. A follower of Bottom. An amateur actor who is a bit clumsy and dim-witted.
Snug (Any Age) Any Gender- Working class actor. Timid and shy but really tries. Bad memory.
Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustardseed (Any Gender)- Fairies following Titania. Light and airy. Movers.
DURATION
Apr 1, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026
SALARY
$100.00 – $100.00 per gig
HOW TO APPLY
APPLY BY EMAIL
mckennamcqueen27…
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