Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Auditions for Richard II by William Shakespeare, Poor Shadows of Elysium, November 14 - 15


Coin flip Auditions for supporting cast of Richard II, at the Dougherty Arts Center on Nov. 14-15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For an audition slot, contact Emily Toothman at etoothman@gmail.com.

In 1973, John Barton directed a production of Richard II in which two actors, Ian Richardson and Richard Pasco, each prepared both the roles of Richard and Bolingbroke, and alternated these roles in performance. For its inaugural production, Poor Shadows of Elysium will undertake the same challenge, with Kevin Gates and Aaron Black in the lead roles, directed by Christina Gutierrez. 

Richard II Arden EditionWhich actor will play which role on a given night will be determined by a coin flip, on stage, immediately before the show begins. The show will be performed at Richard Garriott’s Curtain Theatre February 21 - March 9 (with performances on Thursdays through Saturdays).

The production will take up the questions of chance and identity that are at the center of the story, exploring, as does Shakespeare, how a seemingly small act can change the nature of history. Similarly, the doubling and rehearsal process will allow the actors and director a sustained examination of the process of making choices and creating a role. Obviously, this production will require actors who are engaged at all times, since every scene involving Richard or Bolingbroke may be radically different any given night. This is an acting challenge for the entire cast.



  • In 1973, John Barton directed a production of Richard II in which two actors, Ian Richardson and Richard Pasco, each prepared both the roles of Richard and Bolingbroke, and alternated these roles in performance. For its inaugural production, Poor Shadows of Elysium will undertake the same challenge, with Kevin Gates and Aaron Black in the lead roles, directed by Christina Gutierrez. Which actor will play which role on a given night will be determined by a coin flip, on stage, immediately before the show beg
    ins. The show will be performed at Richard Garriott’s Curtain Theatre February 21 - March 9 (with performances on Thursdays through Saturdays).

    Auditions for the rest of the cast will be held at the Dougherty Arts Center on Nov. 14-15, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For an audition slot, contact Emily Toothman at etoothman@gmail.com.


    The production will take up the questions of chance and identity that are at the center of the story, exploring, as does Shakespeare, how a seemingly small act can change the nature of history. Similarly, the doubling and rehearsal process will allow the actors and director a sustained examination of the process of making choices and creating a role. Obviously, this production will require actors who are engaged at all times, since every scene involving Richard or Bolingbroke may be radically different any given night. This is an acting challenge for the entire cast.

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