The Comedy of Errors AND Scenes from Romeo and Juliet
by Austin Shakespeare
Feb. 04 (2017)
Auditions will be for Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, to be performed at the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater for 17 performances from May 3-29, 2017 and for scenes from Romeo and Juliet, to be performed in full costume in collaboration with Austin Chamber Music Center at the University of Texas Bates Recital Hall on Saturday, July 15, 2017.
Shakespeare in Zilker Park: The Comedy of Errors is directed by guest director Robert Ramirez, head of acting at University of Texas at Austin. Romeo and Juliet scenes will be directed by Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director, Ann Ciccolella.
Ann Cicolella, Artistic Director. Ann Ciccolella joined Austin Shakespeare as Artistic Director in August 2007, following an eight-year tenure at Austin’s ZACH Theatre as managing director, and executive director at Austin Circle of Theaters for nine years. Ciccolella led the Renaissance Theater Company for ten years, producing and directing Off-Off Broadway shows. Prior moving to Austin, Ciccolella served for three years as associate director for SHAKESPEARE ON WHEELS from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. In 2013, she directed Off-Broadway for Austin Shakespeare of a new adaptation of Ayn Rand’s Anthem by Jeff Britting at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Robert Ramirez, Director of The Comedy of Errors. Robert has worked as Voice/Text/Dialect coach at a number of theaters including Illinois Shakes, American Players Theatre, and the Krannert Center for the Arts. This winter he will be Voice and Text Directing two productions for Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He has performed as an actor with the New York, Utah, Illinois, Great River, Alabama, Baltimore and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals. Robert is the Head of the Acting Program in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Austin.
AUSTIN SHAKESPEARE
Austin Shakespeare’s mission is to present professional theatre of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today.
Founded in 1984, Austin Shakespeare also brings professional actors and directors directly into the classroom throughout Central Texas. Austin Shakespeare is a member of the Austin Creative Alliance, and is funded in part by the City of Austin through The Cultural Arts Division.
Austin Shakespeare welcomes professional actors (Equity/Non-Equity) for open auditions at 1:30 pm on Saturday, Feb. 4 by appointment only at Austin Playwrights Studio 5555 N Lamar Bldg K, Suite 125. Actors of all ethnicities are welcome. By appointment only: contact auditions@austinshakespeare.org.
Auditioners should prepare a 1 to 2-minute piece of heightened language, including pieces from this season’s plays. Audition speeches should be memorized or read with familiarity. On occasion, Austin Shakespeare uses cross-gender casting. Also, age range noted in character descriptions is a matter of appearance. Auditioners should familiarize themselves with the plays they are auditioning for.
For The Comedy of Errors, the roles of Dromio, Egeon, Emilia, Abbess, Courtesan, Dr. Pinch and Duke Solinus are already cast; all other roles are open.
Open roles for The Comedy of Errors include:
Antipholus of Ephesus – twin master
Antipholus of Syracuse – twin master
Adriana – wife of Antipholus of Ephesus
Luciana – Adriana's sister
Balthazar – a merchant
Angelo – goldsmith
Open roles for Romeo and Juliet include: Juliet, Tybalt, Benvolio/Capulet, Nurse (Mercutio and Romeo already cast.)
Austin Shakespeare’s productions are professionally directed and designed. All actors are paid.
