Description:

Dominican University Performing Arts Center is seeking actors with experience with Shakespeare for a non-equity production of A Midsummer Night's Cirque, a heavily-adapted, circus-themed rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. All roles are open. Dance/movement and/or clowning experience a plus but not required.

There is pay-a per performance stipend plus a flat rehearsal stipend.

A Midsummer Night's Cirque DESCRIPTION
Deep in the forest, a magical world of faeries and fireflies comes to life. Through movement, circus, and Shakespeare, enchanted sprites cast spells and play tricks on four young lovers and an unsuspecting clown troupe of amateur actors.

Character Descriptions

Puck- The Ringmaster; Impish, mischievous, fun, charming, engaging, lots of audience connection; Puck controls the show and gets the audience in on the jokes. Strong mover and speaker; improvisational experience a plus; magic experience a plus but not required; gender open.

Oberon- Forest Deity; Passionate, strong-willed, playful; loves a good game. Strong mover and speaker; aerial experience a plus but not required; gender open.

Titania- Forest Deity; Passionate, strong-willed, playful; loves a good game. Strong mover and speaker; aerial experience a plus but not required; female-identified or non-binary.

Helena- one of the four Lovers, bestie with Hermia, in love with Demetrius; Plucky, high-spirited and impetuous, sensitive, energetic, an emotional pinball. Strong mover and speaker; modern/contemporary/partner dance experience a plus but not required; acrobatic experience a plus but not required; female-identified or non-binary.

Hermia- one of the four Lovers, bestie with Helena, in love with Lysander; Confident, a little rash/impertinent, solid, savvy. Strong mover and speaker; modern/contemporary/partner dance experience a plus but not required; acrobatic experience a plus but not required; female-identified or non-binary.

Lysander- one of the four Lovers, in love with Hermia; Clever, confident, loyal. Strong mover and speaker; modern/contemporary/partner dance experience a plus but not required; acrobatic experience a plus but not required; male-identified or non-binary.

Demetrius- one of the four Lovers, in love with Hermia; Arrogant, stubborn, flippant. Strong mover and speaker; modern/contemporary/partner dance experience a plus but not required; acrobatic experience a plus but not required; male-identified or non-binary.

Quince- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Over-compensating, placating, positive and encouraging; Quince is the leader of the group/director of the play Pyramus & Thisbe. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; clowning skills a plus but not required; gender open.

Snug- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Timid, amiable, a little slow on the uptake; Snug plays the Lion. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; clowning skills a plus but not required; gender open.

Bottom- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Loud, pompous, oblivious; Bottom plays Pyramus and is turned into a donkey by Puck. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; strong vocal ability; clowning skills a plus but not required; male-identified.

Flute- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Low-key, stoic, perpetually disappointed; Flute plays Thisbe. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; clowning skills a plus but not required; male-identified or non-binary.

Snout- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Quiet, petrified; Snout plays the Wall. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; clowning skills a plus but not required; gender open.

Robin Starveling- one of the six Mechanicals/Clowns; Reserved, clever, possibly antagonistic; Robin plays Moonshine. Physical comedy/strong comic timing; clowning skills a plus but not required; gender open.

Faeries/Sprites- Mystical creatures in the forest;
Faeries/Sprites/Fireflies are non-speaking roles who enhance the experience of the forest while serving various characters and interacting with the audience. Movement, dance, or aerial experience a plus but not required; gender open.

Dominican University Performing Arts Center is also seeking CIRCUS PERFORMERS with skills in aerial (silks/slings), gymnastics/acrobatics, juggling, or stilt walking