Audition Listings

AUDITION NOTICE : The Merchant of Venice

Ethnocultural mandate.
RCT is actively seeking to mirror the vast diversity of culture in the social-fabric of our Toronto home. Our work seeks to provoke discussion, and redefine traditions of identity and character; specifically, exploring the performance efficacy of classical texts through the lens of a progressive, 21st century Canada. Therefore, we encourage submissions from artists of all backgrounds; including, but not limited to: race, gender, body-type, ethnicity, sexuality, ability, and members of other underrepresented communities. We welcome applicants to inform us of their pronouns and to include details about how their identity informs their artistic practice, should they wish.

Additional information:
Equity members cast in this production will be engaged under the Equity
Artists' Collective Policy, operating in a profit-share model.

We’re committed to producing ‘The Merchant of Venice’ with a strong focus on the text; with minimal staging, specific and direct language, and with emphasis on telling the rich, character-driven story.

Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will be held in downtown Toronto, on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. The first call will be an 8-hour rehearsal on Saturday, July 2nd (Exact time TBD). Cast will be required each evening the week prior to theatre move in on September 5th. (August 29th-September 2nd)

Production:
September 7th – September 18th. (With a possible 1-week extension until September 25th) Provisional matinées on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. (No Sunday evening performance & dark on Mondays)
@ Red Sandcastle Theatre, Queen St. East, Toronto.

Audition Requirements:
Please submit all materials by email, clearly marked with your LASTNAME.FIRSTNAME in the subject line, to info@realcanaantheatre.com

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Sunday June 5th, 11:59pm

1st Round – Submission by self-tape.
2nd Round – Auditions in-person in Toronto, June 9th 10th 11th.

Along with submitting your résumé and headshot, auditionees are requested to please prepare a self-tape of the following:
1) A Shakespearean or other classical monologue of your choice, highlighting your ability with blank-verse – no longer than 3 minutes in length.
2) A short acapella song, no longer than 30 seconds. We’re not looking for ground-breaking musical theatre or operatic vocal performances (although if this is you, go get ‘em!) just a semblance of your vocal quality and ability to hold a simple melody.

Equity members will be seen first at auditions, but we also encourage non-CAEA performers to apply. We will endeavour to respond to all submissions with confirmation of receipt and will provide feedback upon request, where practicable.

Roles To Be Cast (7 Actors)
We invite artists to express interest in ANY role they would like to be considered for, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, etc.
1. ANTONIO / ARRAGON
2. BASSANIO
3. SHYLOCK / LORENZO
4. NERISSA / JESSICA
5. PORTIA
6. GRATIANO / MOROCCO / TUBAL
7. Lancelot Giobbe (THE CLOWN)* / LEONARDO / THE THREE SALLIES / DUKE / Others
*Actor cast in this role should have great comedy chops. Clown / impov /
stand-up experience preferred.