Shakespeare’s R&J

PrideArts is currently accepting video auditions for their upcoming production of Shakespeare’s R&J by Joe Calarco, directed by Amber Mandley.

Four young prep school students, tired of going through the usual drill of conjugating Latin and other tedious school routines, decide to vary their very governed lives. After school, one breaks out a copy of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and they all take turns reading the play aloud. The Bard’s words and the story itself are thrilling to the students, and they become swept away, enmeshed in the emotion so much so that they break school rules in order to continue their readings. The rigidity of their lives begins to parallel the lives of the characters in the play: roles in the family, roles in society, and the roles played by men and women soon seem to make all the sense in the world, and then, suddenly, they seem to make no sense at all. Although they had been taking turns playing all the parts, two eventually emerge playing Romeo and Juliet exclusively, bringing a whole new dimension to the proceedings. Perceptions and understanding are turned upside-down as the fun of play-acting turns serious, and the words and meanings begin to hit home and universal truths emerge.

Because the production is set in an all-girls private boarding school, the actors will need to be female or female-identifying.  Persons of all ethnicities and disabilities are welcome.  Actors must be at least 18 years old and able to pass for a high school student.  A familiarity with Shakespearen language and Romeo and Juliet will be very helpful.  Movement and physicality is a major component in the storytelling.  A fight/movement choreographer will be hired.  Actors with experience in dance, acrobatics, martial arts, stage combat, etc are especially encouraged to apply. Since the show explores sexuality in an all-female setting, an intimacy coach will also be hired.

Video submissions are due no later than Thursday December 7. Callbacks will be in person beginning on Saturday December 9, 2023 and continuing on Sunday December 10, 2023.