Auditions for Macbeth Tuesday June 23 Sign ups at 7pm Auditions at 7:30pm Sunday June 28th. Sign ups at 4:00pm Auditions at 4:30pm Wednesday July 1 (If you are unable to attend any other day, invited call backs, and last chance for video auditions). Sign ups at 7, audition at 7:30. Director: Laura Darling Macbeth is a Shakespearean tragedy (1606) exploring the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition. A Scottish general, spurred by witches' prophecies and his wife, murders King Duncan to seize the throne, plunging Scotland into tyrannical chaos. Plagued by guilt and paranoia, Macbeth commits more murders before his inevitable downfall and death by Macduff. Auditions for MacBeth by William Shakespeare will take place June 23 and 28th at the Schenectady Civic Playhouse. Registration (June 23 July 1) begins at 7:00 with auditions starting at 7:30. Sunday June 28th registration begins at 4 with auditions at 4:30pm. Audition forms are provided so resumes and head shots are not required, but can be helpful. Auditions will consist of side readings from the text to showcase an actor/actress's handle on Shakespeare and character choices. Accents will not be used for this production. Auditions for witches and familiars will also include a short movement exercise to showcase flexibility, creativity and collaboration. It is encouraged to wear clothing you feel comfortable moving in. Please bring a list of all date conflicts between July and October. Required attendance dates: October 4, October 11-18 and October 21-25 For those unable to attend these two audition dates, please send a video of you performing a 1 minute dramatic Shakespearean monologue (memorization not required) and/or a 30 second movement piece as an animal(s) of your choice to lauramdarling@gmail.com by 7pm on July 1. In order to be considered, please include a filled out audition form that can be found on Schenectady's website (www.civicplayers.org/_files/ugd/7dd81c_bf5f51a04e954abd9e9938672e17a1af.pdf) Please include any conflicts and note if you play any instruments. Audition sides can be downloaded here:
When child is listed, looking for someone who can pass as a teen. No age restrictions otherwise.
Macbeth (M)
Scottish general led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, but he is not a virtuous one. His response to every problem is violence and murder.
Lady Macbeth (F)
Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Lady Macbeth falls victim to guilt and madness.
The Three Witches (F)
Three “black and midnight hags” who plot mischief against Macbeth using charms, spells, and prophecies. They clearly take a perverse delight in using their knowledge of the future to toy with human beings.
The Three Familiars (Any)
Paddock - a toad familiar
Greymalkin - a cat familiar
Harpier - the raven familiar
These three creatures do the witches bidding, including spying on other characters, tormenting them and assisting with spells and magic. They are transformed into murderers and sacrificed to summon Hecate and be a medium for Hecate's voice.
Banquo (M)
The brave, noble general and friend. Like Macbeth, Banquo thinks ambitious thoughts, but he does not translate those thoughts into action.
King Duncan (M)
The beloved good King of Scotland. Duncan is the model of a virtuous and benevolent leader.
Macduff (M)
A Scottish nobleman hostile to Macbeth’s kingship from the start. He eventually becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth’s murder of Macduff’s wife and young son.
Malcolm (M)
The son of Duncan, whose restoration to the throne signals Scotland’s return to order. Prior to this, he appears weak and uncertain of his own power.
Fleance (any)*
Banquo’s child, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him.
Porter (M)*
The drunken doorman of Macbeth’s castle.
Lady Macduff (F)*
Macduff’s loving wife and mother. She cares about her family and would risk anything for them.
Macduff’s child (any)*
The child of Macduff and Lady Macduff. Clever and resilient.
Siward (M)*
The Earl of Northumberland and the leader of the English army. Known for his strength and honor, Siward fearlessly heads into battle to defeat Macbeth.
Young Siward (M)*
Siward’s son who joins him on the battlefield at Dunsinane.
Seyton (Any)*
An officer who waits on Macbeth during the play’s final act.
Lennox (M)*
A nobleman in the Scottish court loyal to King Duncan, he joins Macduff and Malcolm in the fight to remove Macbeth from the throne.
Ross (M)*
A nobleman in the Scottish court. Ross functions primarily as a messenger, delivering news about events.
Angus (M)*
A nobleman in the Scottish court. He joins Macduff and Malcolm to remove Macbeth from the throne.
A servant (Any)*
A witness to unnatural events, their news highlights the perverseness of Macbeth’s rule.
Doctor (Any)*
A doctor who tends to Lady Macbeth after she has begun sleepwalking.
Captains Attendants and Messengers (Any)*
Characters that bring news or serve with the household of MacBeth or the King. These include a captiain, a lady in waiting, a messenger, etc.
