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Created Date | December 15, 2022 | |
Expiration Date | January 14, 2023 | |
Posted by | Administrator | |
Country | United States | |
State | Illinois | |
City | Chicago | |
Location | Chicago | |
Project Type | Non-Equity Audition | |
Project Title | Othello |
Description:
Seeking a diverse ensemble of 10-12 performers (4 female-identifying, 4 male-identifying, and 2-4 gender flexible roles).
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, backstabbing, ladder-climbing, lago. Threatened by, and resentful of the power couple's happiness, logo 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.
All performers must be fully vaccinated. It is our intention that masks will not be required for performers.
Characters:
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.
Ethnicity: 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
The rehearsal timeframe is 5-6 weeks; 2-3 weeknights and a weekend afternoon, to start
Performance Dates
April 6 & 7 at 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at 2 p.m.
(three shows at Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts)
Preparing a fully memorized 1-2 minute Shakespearean monologue is encouraged but not required. Those who do not prepare a monologue will be asked to do a cold reading of a monologue from the script.
Contact Info:
For more information, complete character descriptions and to schedule 15-minutes slots visit: www.wejoinin.com/sheets/dyewf
Website: www.wejoinin.com/sheets/dyewf