Connecticut Compass Theatre Company
Open Auditions for “Twelfth Night” By William Shakespeare
Directed by Shawn E. Murray
Appointment Information: We will be holding Auditions on Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th with time slots as follows: Saturday, May 25th – 12pm to 6pm and Sunday, May 26th – 10am to 2pm. Call backs (if needed) will be on Monday, May 27th – 7pm to 9pm.
Walk-ins are welcome on both weekend dates, though priority will be given to those who secure a time slot in advance. To secure a time slot, please e-mail
stagemanagement.cctc@gmail.com with the subject header “Audition Reservation”.
Audition Location: WPAA-TV Studio W, 28 Orchard St. Wallingford CT 06492
Synopsis: When twins, Viola and Sebastian, are separated in a shipwreck, both think the other is left for dead. Disguised as a man named Cesario, Viola soon begins to work for Orsino, the Duke of Illyria. Orsino sends Cesario as a wingman to woo Lady Olivia, a well sought-after woman in power. Hilarity ensues as love triangles develop, pranks are pulled, and people go mad. We will be giving the show a funky fresh 90’s twist!
Audition Preparation: Please prepare one classical and one contemporary monologue, each of different tones, to be performed at your audition.
Performance Dates: 2nd-4th weekends in August. Exact performance dates and times to be discussed at the time of audition.
Character Breakdown: Archetypes will be inspired by 90’s television icons (Blossom, Zack Morris, Urkel) and actor collaboration in that same vein. Age ranges are open and flexible. Roles that are not traditionally gender-bent are open to audition to be bent upon request and come with no (Gender) specification. Roles with (Gender) specification will be considered for gender-bending on a rare, case-by-case basis. Characters will be loosely defined in a few key phrases and terms here, and actors will help develop them in a collaborative atmosphere with the director during the audition (and possibly forward).
Principal character breakdown:
Viola (Female) – Beautiful and equally guarded, she is our lead. Headstrong, formidable wit, cunning and coy. Flirtatious and oblivious to sexuality all at the same time. She dresses as a young man Cesario but still appears feminine. Wide ranged comedic role. Physically demanding. In love with Orsino. Loved by Olivia, when in disguise as Cesario.
Orsino (Male) – Handsome and proud. Walks all over the line of egotism. Absurdly in love with love. Cocky, arrogant and adorably lovable to boot. He takes on Cesario as a page and sends him(her) to court Olivia on his behalf, setting our love triangle in motion. In love with Olivia. Loved by Viola.
Olivia (Female) – Wealthy and noble. Imposing but delicate, she rules another court and refuses herself the luxury of love. She wallows in her own self-pity but finds herself drawn to Cesario, despite the truth of his(her) persona. In love with Cesario (Viola). Loved by Orsino.
Sebastian (Male) – A guy that smells like roses after stepping in poop. He is completely focused on his own needs after washing ashore subsequent to his shipwreck. A shipwreck his TWIN SISTER Viola is thought to have died in. He and Antonio (Male) have a unique relationship. Antonio has an unrequited platonic (and possibly more) love for Sebastian which is buffered at every pass.
Feste – The fool and entertainer of both Orsino and Olivia’s respective kingdom, among others. Regarded generally as a fool, Feste proves that the guy having fun is truly the guy living life properly. He shines and radiates throughout and must demand the spotlight. Musical talents are a major plus. This character can beatbox, breakdance, and carries a boombox or instrument in each scene. Heavily physical comedic role.
Sir Toby Belch (Male) – The Uncle of Olivia who lives (and drinks) under his niece’s lavish roof. His surname is not misleading. This brash comedic character is bold, unashamed and rowdy. He attempts to outwit and humiliate his superior Malvolio just for fun. He falls for a servant named Maria (Female) in Olivia’s court, as she proves to be just as fun-loving and raucous as he. Together with Sir Andrew, the bumbling idiot who thinks he is God’s gift to women (but unlike Orsino, who might actually be, he isn’t), they succeed in breathing life and fun into Olivia’s dreary court and making Malvolio look like an ass.
Malvolio – The head servant in Olivia’s court. He is proper, collected, and uptight. He is also madly (and secretly) in love with his mistress Olivia. He has a very multi-faceted arc throughout and must be a kind looking, but imposing sight on the stage. In the presence of his underlings he is a leader and egotist – but alone with his thoughts and love for Olivia he is a delicate butterfly riding the breeze of infatuation.
There are also several smaller roles available in Captain, Fabian, Valentine and Curio.
CCTC is a new, up-and-coming touring theatre company. We make our home in many towns across CT. To provide a sense of inclusivity and scope, we intend to perform our art across the state.
For more information please contact
compassinfo.cctc@gmail.com
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