NEWPORT, R.I. – Open auditions for parts in two upcoming plays being produced by Salve Regina University’s performing arts department will be held on Friday, Jan. 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Casino Theatre, 9 Freebody St.
While Salve Regina students are given first consideration for these roles, community actors are encouraged to audition. The first production is Amy Freed’s comedy, “The Beard of Avon,” which performs March 3-6 and is being directed by assistant professor Suzanne Delle. The second production is a musical version of “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” which performs April 14-17 and is being directed by Bobby Matteau, a Salve Regina alumni.
Those wishing to audition only for “The Beard of Avon” can audition from 5-5:30 p.m. with a short monologue. Choices from the shows are available on the department’s Facebook page, “SalveTheatre.”
Those wishing to audition for both shows or just “Two Gentlemen of Verona” should prepare a short, contemporary song that shows personality in addition to the monologue. Those auditions will begin at 5:30 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. Call backs for “Two Gentlemen of Verona” will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, and will include reading scenes from the play and learning a dance combination.
To secure a specific audition time, those interested can sign up for a time slot on the call board at Antone Academic Center, Lawrence Avenue on Salve Regina’s campus. Call 401-341-2250 with questions or post them to the SalveTheatre Facebook wall.
“The Beard of Avon” is a comedy that questions whether Shakespeare wrote the plays he is credited with writing. Characters include Shakespeare, his wife Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon, the Earl of Oxford and other true life personages. Rehearsals will begin Feb. 1.
“Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a musical version of Shakespeare’s play about two spurned women who dress as men and follow their former lovers to Milan in an effort to win their hearts again. The musical was written by John Guare with music by Galt MacDermot, who also wrote “Hair.” Rehearsals will begin Feb. 19 with the bulk of rehearsals occurring after March 6.