DESCRIPTION
Backyard Stages is casting AEA, EMC, and Non-Equity actors for this summer’s inaugural production of As You Like It! We will be doing one weekend of performances in NYC, followed by one weekend in the woods of the southern Catskills! Our production will be a summer soiree AND a play – an immersive theatrical experience in our very own Forest of Arden. Think: Summer Party meets Shakespeare in the Park or Sleep No More meets Robin Hood: Men In Tights.
THE PLAY
As You Like It tells the tale of Rosalind and her budding romance with Orlando – a young nobleman rejected by family and society.
Rosalind’s father was the Duke. But her uncle took over and banished his brother to the forest, keeping Rosalind at court to accompany his own daughter, Celia, as her playmate. When the new duke banishes Rosalind, Celia hatches a plan to escape and the two flee to the magical Forest of Arden in search of Rosalind’s father. With their fool Touchstone by their side, Rosalind and Celia disguise themselves and find new life in the forest.
As You Like It is an intriguing play about life, love, identity, and who we become when being ourselves is not an option.
PAY INFO
AEA Showcase Code (pending) – $1200 stipend + $500 Performance Bonus
PERSONNEL
Viewing auditions:
Meghan Griffin, Casting Director
Tommy Nelms, Director
IMPORTANT DATES
CALLBACKS: In-person callbacks will take place on May 13 & 14
REHEARSALS
First Rehearsal: June 12
NYC Tech: July 5, 6
NYC Performances: July 7, 8, 9
Westbrookville Tech: July 13, 14
Westbrookville Performance: July 15 (rain date: July 16)
(Please note that housing will be provided for all dates in Westbrookville)
BREAKDOWNS
PLEASE NOTE: Backyard Stages strives to build companies representative of the diversity that surrounds us. Actors of all ages, races, ethnicities, and gender expressions are encouraged to submit.
| Celia (18-35) | Daughter to Duke Frederick, best friend and cousin to Rosalind. Celia loves Rosalind so much that when her cousin is banished from the dukedom, she hatches the plan for both to escape to the Forest of Arden, in search of the former duke. (woman) |
| Duke Frederick (30-65) | The current duke; father to Celia, uncle to Rosalind, and brother of Duke Senior. Duke Frederick is an authoritarian and a bad, bad man. He will stop at nothing to maintain control of his dukedom.. (man) |
| Charles (18-100) | Duke Frederick’s wrestler. Strong and proud. Hand-to-hand stage combat experience is a plus. |
| Duke Senior (30-65) | The exiled Duke; father of Rosalind and uncle to Celia. Duke Senior is an abundantly likable character. He was banished to the Forest of Arden, where he has developed a very easy going nature, and is surrounded by lords who voluntarily followed him into exile. Described as being a Robin Hood-like figure. (man) |
| Jaques (18-65) | Advisor to Duke Senior who willingly followed him into exile. Jaques is described by others as being melancholy, but they view their attitude as sensible and pragmatic. They are a seeker who sees things for what they are, and is not afraid to speak truth to power. |
| Amiens (18-65) | A musician and advisor to Duke Senior who willingly followed him into exile. Amiens is a friend to everyone in Arden. Must play a musical instrument; please tell us what instrument(s) you play in your submission. |
| Oliver de Boys (30-65) | Eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys; Orlando’s brother. He is a supporter of Duke Frederick’s and begins the play by plotting to kill his youngest brother, Orlando. He has a change of heart in the Forest of Arden and ends the play in a very different place than where he began. (man) |
| Jacques de Boys (30-65) | Middle son of Sir Rowland de Boys; Orlando and Oliver’s brother. He is away at school and only shows up at the very last minute, bringing news from Duke Frederick’s court to the Forest of Arden. (man) |
| Adam (50-100) | Elderly servant of the house of Sir Rowland de Boys. Adam encourages Orlando to run from the danger posed by his brother and the duke. Offers their life savings and eternal servitude to help Orlando (and themselves) escape to the Forest of Arden. |
| Silvius (18-40) | A shepherd in the Forest of Arden. Silvius is head over heels in love with Phoebe and goes to great lengths to try to win her over. He is honest and true to his word. (man) |
| Audrey (18-65) | A forest-born girl who marries Touchstone. A natural foil to the jokes and eccentricities of Touchstone. (woman) |
| Corin (30-65) | A farmer and shepherd in the Forest of Arden. Corin is a friend and mentor to Silvius and befriends Touchstone. They are friendly with everyone they meet and may be the most logical and “normal” person in the whole play. |
| Musicians / Foresters (18-100) | Members of the court of Duke Senior. These lords followed the duke into exile voluntarily. Must be comfortable singing and/or playing a musical instrument; please tell us what instrument(s) you play in your submission. (May be asked to double as lords to Duke Frederick) |
SELF SUBMISSION VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
- Send audition videos to: [email protected]
- Please slate with your name, pronouns, and roles you’d like to be considered for. (Your slate time is not included in the time restriction.)
- Please submit a 1.5 minute Shakespearean monologue (no longer, please).
- If you are using an iPhone to video record, please be sure to film horizontally and in a well-lit, quiet space!
- Please send the video as a downloadable (Dropbox, WeTransfer, Vimeo, YouTube, Google Drive, etc.) with the subject line: AS YOU LIKE IT // ROLE(S) // YOUR FULL NAME
- Include your headshot/resume either within the link (if using GoogleDrive or Dropbox, etc) or attached to the email.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
COVID-19
Equity best practices for safety guidance will be followed for in-person callbacks.
Covid protocols will be in place for the duration of the rehearsal and performance process in accordance with Equity, CDC, and OSHA recommendations at the time of the production.