Kiss Me, Kate

Audition Details

Kiss Me, Kate -- July 17-26

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

Directed by Amanda Petersen

The Story

Step into the world of backstage drama, show-stopping numbers, and Shakespearean flair! Kiss Me, Kate is a bold and witty musical comedy that follows a theatrical troupe putting on a musical adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. Amidst the onstage antics, offstage chaos unfolds with fiery romantic tensions, mistaken identities, and hilarious misunderstandings.

What to Prepare

Prepare about 1 minute of a song from a golden age (1940s-1960s) musical reflecting a similar style (for example: Guys & Dolls, South Pacific, Camelot, The Music Man, The Pajama Game, or any Cole Porter musicals). Please do not choose a song from Kiss Me, Kate.

• Your song choice should show off your voice and personality - this helps us get to know you!

• An accompanist will be available for auditions, as well as set-up to play a track. Please bring your own sheet music or prepared track to the audition.

• Please bring a head shot or photograph of yourself to auditions.

• You will also be asked to participate in a dance audition.

• Some auditionees may be asked to sing a selection from the show or read sides from the script following your prepared audition.

Question: Contact Amanda at petersen.amanda.ann.@gmail.com

Character Breakdown:

Actors of al ethnicities, genders, ages, body types, and abilities are encouraged to audition! Roles are open to all actors, unless otherwise specified. Ages listed are the character's stage age; actor age is flexible.

FRED GRAHAM - late 30s-50, strong baritone, commanding presence. Writer, director, produces and leading man of the play within the play, The Shew. Lilli's ex-husband.

LILLI VANESSI - 30s-40s, strong mezzo soprano. Star of stage and screen. Proud, haughty, but also vulnerable. Plays Katherine in The Shrew. Ex-wife of Fred and engaged to Harrison Howell.

LOIS LANE - 20s-30s, strong mezzo belter. Night club singer in her first stage role. Quintessential ingenue with lots of charisma and charm. Plays Bianca in The Shrew.

BILL CALHOUN - late 20s-30s, good tenor or baritenor. Ne'er-do-well actor/dancer with a gambling problem. Lois' partner. Plays Lucentio in The Shrew.

GENERAL HARRISON HOWELL - 50+, baritone. Career military officer and politician. Pompous and self-important. Lilli's "new man".

FIRST & SECOND GANGSTERS - 30s+, comic baritones. Enforces for the local mob. Portrayed as stereotypical mobsters, complete with accent.

HATTIE - Any age, mezzo belter. Lilli's dresser. Friendly and comforting with a touch of sass. Opens the show with Another Op'nin', Another Show solo. Sings and may dance in Too Darn Hot.

PAUL - Any age, baritenor. Fred's dresser. Specialty dancer & soloist in Too Darn Hot.

POPS - Any age, multiple ensemble solos. Stage doorman at the theatre. Unflappable and stoic. Doubles into the cast of The Shew.

RALPH - Any age, signs in the ensemble. Stage manage of the play within the play. Frazzled and trying to keep everything together.

HARRY TREVOR - 50+, signs in the ensemble. Veteran character actor. Plays Baptista, Katherine and Bianca's father, in The Shrew.

GREMIO - Any age, tenor. One of Bianca's suitors in The Shrew, typically double cast as Flynt, aide to General Howell.

HORTENSIO - Any age, tenor. One of Bianca's suitors in The Shrew, typically double cast as Riley, aide to General Howell.

STAGEHANDS #1-3, CAB DRIVER, WARDROBE LADY, etc.  - Any age, ensemble soloists. All double into the cast of The Shrew.

TEEN & ADULT ENSEMBLE  - Seeking enthusiastic and expressive high school, college, and adult performers who are strong singers and movers. Ensemble members will be involved vocally and choreographically in multiple production number and scenes, including solos and speaking roles.

The Book of Will

Audition Details

The Book of Will -- June 12-21 

by Lauren Gunderson

Directed by Dee Savides

The Book of Will is a story of love, loss, and laughter. A group of Shakespeare's friends-members of the acting troupe the King's Men-scramble to preserve his masterpieces for posterity before they are lost forever.

Ages are flexible. Audition will consist of script readings (perusal scenes/sides available at Neenah and Kimberly libraries). Doubling of roles is possible and noted below. Doubling is subject to change, depending on outcome of auditions.

Rehearsal schedule is available on request by contacting director, Dee Savides at savidesdee@gmail.com.

Character Breakdown:

Henry Condell - 40; feisty, hopeful friend and actor in the King's Men.

John Heminges - 50; reasonable friend and financial manager of the King's Men, a good man, a gentleman, if serious.

Richard Burbage - 50's; seasoned lion of the stage, famous across England, loud and proud. (doubles as William Jaggard, successful if shady publisher of books; experienced, successful, "an ass.")

Alice Heminges - 35, John's daughter and ale wife, knows everyone and hangs with the boys. (doubles as Susannah Shakespeare)

Boy Hamlet - young actor (doubles as Marcus - 20, printer's apprentice, nosy and honest)

Ben Johnson - Poet laureate of England, friend/rival of Shakespeare. Amazing drunk. A bear of a man. Surprisingly weepy. (doubles as Sir Edward Dering, a theatre and booklover)

Elizabeth Condell - Henry's wife, savvy and fun. (doubles as

EmiliaBassano Lanier - 50, fiery Italian feminist and poet, lover of life (and of Shakespeare)

Rebecca Heminges - John's wife, a good wife. Strong, busy with their grocery business, a woman who has weathered much, loves her husband and God.(doubles as Anne Hathaway, 60, Shakespeare's now ailing wife, strong willed, a classy lady)

Ed Knight - "Stage Manager" for the King's Men, self-serious and particular.

(doubles as Isaac Jaggard - William's son, sensitive, artist at heart)

Ralph Crane - Humble scrivener of the King's Men. Quick, sure, quiet.

(doubles as Compositor, a young assistant to Jaggard)

Please print and bring a copy of the audition form with you to auditions.