Auditions in Norfolk, Virginia for The Virginia Stage Company presents THE COMEDY OF ERRORS School Tour!

The Virginia Stage Company is seeking local talent to join the touring production of The Comedy of Errors. These are paid positions open to all non-equity local actors. This production will tour to schools and organizations in the Hampton Roads and surrounding county areas. 

REQUIREMENTS:
Actors for this tour must be 18+, available for the initial 3-week rehearsal time period during daytime hours, and available at least two days a week for in-school daytime performances, as well as occasional Saturdays and Sundays. Tours are booked in advance, and two weeks notice of new bookings is given for each performance. Actors will be subject to a background check.

Show Summary:
The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. When the Syracusans encounter the friends and families of their twins, a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities lead to wrongful beatings, a near-seduction, the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus, and false accusations of infidelity, theft, madness, and demonic possession. 

AUDITION DATE & TIME: (auditions by appointment ONLY)
Thursday, January 23 – 1:30pm-4:30pm

Rehearsal Dates: 5 days a week, February 3-21, 2020 Times: TBD 
Tour Launches: February 24, 2020 extends through May 31, 2020

Auditions by appointment only. 

*** All auditioning should prepare the corresponding Side to the Actor position desired. A reader will be provided (Sides included below).***

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
For this fast-paced, Shakespeare tour, we are seeking about five actors who enjoy both the language of Shakespeare and the playfulness of ensemble, slapstick comedy.  This is high energy, big characters, and a ridiculous good time, about 30 – 40 minutes in length. Our goal is to allow middle and high school students the opportunity to experience, understand, and delight in an accessible and interactive bit of Shakespeare.  All roles open to all genders and ethnicities.

ACTOR 1:   (Prepare ANGELO in SIDE 2 & the line of SHAKESPEARE in SIDE 1) Shakespeare/Angelo/Pinch (Duke possible)
Actor 1 is our playwright and host Shakespeare, who guides us through his tangled mess of plot lines by introducing every scene in rhyme.  Additionally, Actor 1 has the fun of playing a slick goldsmith named Angelo, and a televangelist exorcist called Pinch.  

ACTOR 2:    (Prepare ADRIANA in SIDE 1 & COURTESAN in SIDE 2)  Adriana/Duke/Courtesan
Actor 2 plays the sometimes Shrewish, sometimes saucy, strong wife of Antipholus of Ephesus.  In contrast to this character, is Kim Kardashian-Courtesan, an Instagram vixen who is literally a cardboard cutout with lips.  Actor 2 may also have the grand role of the Duke.

ACTOR 3: (Prepare LUCIANA in SIDE 1 & OFFICER/MERCHANT in SIDE 2)  Luciana/Officer/Merchant/Egeon/Aemelia (nun puppet)
Actor 3’s multiple characters include Antipholus’ wife’s sister, the lovely Luciana, the Donna Reed of Shakespeare.  Also, Egeon an old man with an adventurous monologue. This performer gets to play with some puppeteering as Aemilia, the nun.  And one (two?) of the wildest roles, the Officer/Merchant, is designed to be played with a costume that allows for instantaneous change between the characters of police officer and tough guy merchant.  

ACTOR 4: (Prepare ANTIPHOLUS in SIDE 2 and SIDE 3)
Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus
Actor 4 plays the high-status twins. These are the characters at the center of our comedic confusions, persecuted by police, angry wives, and exorcists.  They are long-suffering, short-tempered masters to the Dromios. 

ACTOR 5: (Prepare DROMIO in the SIDE 1 and SIDE 3)
Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus
Actor 5 plays the low-status, servant twins. These are the none-too-bright, knocked-around servants of Antipholus.  Our Dromios are loony wise-crackers, who regularly get bonked, boffed, or booted like a football in exchange for their service.

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