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Thursday, August 31, 2017

Calling local thespians, starting September 5

URI Theatre department casting for ‘Eurydice,’ ‘Lady Windermere’s Fan’
Image result for EurydiceThe University of Rhode Island Theatre Department is calling for actors to audition for its fall 2017 productions of “Eurydice” and “Lady Windermere’s Fan.” The auditions are open to the public. 

To register, call the URI Theatre Department at (401) 874-5921 or visit the theatre office on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston.

Eurydice

“Eurydice,” written by Sarah Ruhl, explores the mythological Greek story of Orpheus and his wife, Eurydice. Told through Eurydice’s unique perspective, the audience experiences her life in the “overworld,” her tragic descent to the underworld, and the challenges, beauties and questions that both worlds provide.

The Theatre Department seeks seven actors, with auditions to be held in J Studio of the Fine Arts Center on Sept. 5, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. for juniors and seniors and Sept. 6, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. for all others. Call backs will be held in J Studio on Sept. 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. The first read-through will be held Sept. 9, at 12:30 p.m.


Actors should wear comfortable clothing they can move well in as the Theatre Department will be exploring ensemble movement and working on sides from “Eurydice.”

Actors are asked to prepare a 1- to 2-minute contemporary monologue, and may feel free to explore Ruhl’s other work as source material.

Performances will be held in J Studio from Oct. 12 through Oct. 14 and Oct. 19 through Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. This production provides the opportunity for completely open and flexible casting. There are no pre-determined requirements. 

The roles are:

  • Eurydice
  • Her Father
  • Orpheus
  • A Nasty Interesting Man/The Lord of the Underworld
  • A Chorus of Stones:
  • Big Stone
  • Little Stone
  • Loud Stone
Lady Windermere’s Fan

The Theatre Department also seeks 16 to 24 actors to star in “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” a play by Oscar Wilde. Set in 1893, the production portrays a Wildean world of London’s upper crust Victorian Society, focusing on Lord and Lady Windermere — Arthur and Margaret — lovingly married for two years.

Lady Windermere sees the world in black and white, never gray, good or evil, never in between. Just 21, she is about to celebrate her coming of age at a soiree to which her husband requests she invite the center of gossip Mrs. Erlynne. Margaret refuses. Arthur insists on helping Mrs. Erlynne gain access to Society.

Events escalate in the next 24 hours, during which time Lady Windermere learns what truly makes a good woman. The questions of who is Mrs. Erlynne and what of Lady Windermere’s fan are central to the story. In this world of manners and morals — how things seem and how they are — it is the birthday gift and how it is handled that tells the tale.

The cast will include nine women and seven men, as well as eight extras for the Party-Ball Scene Act 2. Actors are required to read the entire play (copies are available in the theatre office) and prepare a 1- to 2-minute monologue from their choice of the following Oscar Wilde plays: “A Woman of No Importance,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” or “An Ideal Husband.” 

Actors should pay attention to the thought and language, and choose material that reveals something about themselves, as well as something about the character for whom you will audition.

At auditions some actors will be asked to read sides. At Call backs all will read sides from “Lady Windermere’s Fan.”

Auditions will be held Sept. 5, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in G Studio of the Fine Arts Center for juniors and seniors, followed by auditions Sept. 6, at the same time and place for all others. Call backs will be held Sept. 7, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre of Fine Arts.

The first read-through and discussion is scheduled for Oct. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. Table work and limited rehearsal will commence Oct. 17. 

Understudy rehearsals are generally scheduled for Sunday evenings and understudies are required to attend cast rehearsals when their character is being directed. 

Cast rehearsals are scheduled weekdays, Tuesday through Friday, generally 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Rehearsals during Thanksgiving week will be held Monday and Tuesday, but not Wednesday through Friday. Actors are expected to return for tech weekend and dress tech. The company is expected to attend photo shoots.

Performances will be held in the Will Theatre from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, 2017, and Dec. 7 through Dec. 9, beginning at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.

Efforts will be made to avoid casting the same actors in both productions.

URI Theatre is committed to an environment of inclusion and diversity. Auditions are open to any student, staff member, or faculty member of the University of Rhode Island, as well as any member of the community. Non-traditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged