The School for Scandal

  • Non-Equity
  • Anywhere

Website Idle Muse Theatre Company

Pay Rate: Base stipend of $100 + shareholder model (see below)
Audition Date and Time: Early November
Audition Location: The Edge Theatre
Contact Person Email: submissions@idlemuse.org
Contact Person Name: Evan Jackson

Idle Muse Theatre Company is seeking submissions for a THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, adapted and directed by Evan Jackson, which will be performed this Spring at The Edge Off Broadway Theater in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

Meet the “School for Scandal”—a cadre of social elite who invented influencer culture, catfishing and parasocial relationships 300 years before the rise of social media! Idle Muse sends up celebrity society and the idle rich in this fresh adaption of Sheridan’s classic comedy of manners from the boundary-smashing age of Restoration theatre, where it doesn’t matter what’s being said—as long as you’re the one saying it…

Submit headshot and resume to submissions@idlemuse.org as PDF or Word Doc.


Audition dates:
  November 9 & 10
Callbacks:  November 23 & 24
Location: The Edge Theater


Review Copy of Script*:
The School for Scandal Audition Script

*Note: this is not a final copy of the rehearsal script, additional cuts and changes are expected in the final adaptation.


Special Notes:
Some moments of limited intimacy are currently planned for the presentation of the play, including period-appropriate displays of public affection and touch, as well as an attempted seduction scene between the characters of JOSEPH and LADY TEAZLE. A link to a preliminary version of the adapted script (additional cuts in progress) is linked here. Please consider/be true to your own boundaries when auditioning. The production will have an Intimacy Director.

Actors of Color strongly encouraged to submit for all roles.

Compensation:
There is a base stipend of $100 for all roles. In addition to the base stipend, Idle Muse operates under shareholder model, in which a full 50% of box office revenue is reserved and divided evenly among the cast and production team.

Idle Muse is an all-volunteer theatre collective with company funds dedicated only to production costs. No funds are reserved for leadership or staff salaries, which are also volunteer positions.

Material to Prepare:

Pease prepare one classical monologue, Restoration or comedic Shakespeare preferred but not required.

Time Commitment:

Commitment/Key dates:
- Rehearsal: January 19 - March 7
- Q2Q: March 8 & 9
- Tech Rehearsal: March 10 - 12
- Previews: March 13 & 14
- Opening Night: March 15
- Performance Run: March 14 - April 13

Character Type/Restrictions:

Roles Available:

LADY SNEERWELL - 20’s-30’s, a wealthy young widow, scheming socialite, and notorious scandal-monger with her eyes on Charles Surface. She is the unofficial headmistress of the “school for scandal.”

JOSEPH Surface⁠ - 20’s-30’s, a young man of name with an honorable, upstanding reputation. Despite his many pronouncements on moral living, he is secretly in league with Lady Sneerwell and her plan to prevent an engagement between his brother Charles and Maria, hoping to marry the latter for her money while simultaneously trying to seduce Lady Teazle.

CHARLES Surface – 20’s-30’s, the younger brother of Joseph with a reputation for extravagant indulgence. Despite his many protestations to the contrary, a kind and generous nature lurks beneath his outward libertinism, giving hope to those that love him, including young Maria.

MRS. CANDOUR – Any age, a lady of high society. In a constant state of shock at the wild and irresponsible spreading of scandalous rumors by certain members of the aristocracy—so much so that she will tell you, in detail, which rumors.

SIR BENJAMIN Backbite - 20’s-40’s, a fop, buffoon, and relentless suitor. Favorite pastimes include spreading gossip and amateur poetry. A frequent caller at Lady Sneerwell’s along with his uncle, Mr. Crabtree. This role doubles with CARELESS, a drinking buddy of Charles Surface.

Mr. CRABTREE – 40+, a sour-dispositioned gossip with high aspirations for his nephew, Sir Benjamin’s, marriage prospects. A regular member of Lady Sneerwell’s rumor mill. This role doubles with SIR HARRY Bumper, a drinking buddy of Charles Surface.

SIR PETER Teazle⁠ - 40+, an inflexible older man struggling with the newly-established dynamics of his recent marriage to a young woman from the country. He has little affection for the Lady Sneerwell’s circle and their rumor-mongering ways.

LADY TEAZLE – 20’s - 30’s, a witty, indomitable young woman from the country. Recently married to the older Sir Peter, she has quickly adopted city manners and fallen in with high society—much to her new husband’s dismay…

SIR OLIVER Surface⁠ - 40+, the clever and wealthy uncle of Joseph and Charles, recently returned from abroad with the intention of naming one of them his heir—if either of them can prove their commitment to honor.

MARIA – 20s – 30s, the upstanding and recently orphaned young ward of Sir Peter, possessed with a strong distaste for scandal-mongering. The object of affection for both Joseph and Charles. She is in love with Charles, despite his roguish reputation and her guardian’s opposition to the match.

Mr. ROWLEY – 30+, the former steward to the Surface brothers’ deceased father. A loyal and reasonable man, as well as a trusted confidante to all members of the Surface family.

MORGAN – 30+, a greedy banker who has endeavored to ensnare Charles Surface with exorbitant debt. This role doubles with SNAKE, a devious gossip columnist and participant in Lady Sneerwell’s schemes.

To apply for this job email your details to submissions@idlemuse.org