Shakespeare’s classic story of love, lust, mistaken identity, gender exploration and la dolce vita. When Viola is shipwrecked on the coast of a city called Illyria, and believes their brother Sebastian is lost at sea, Viola sets out to make a life for themselves in this new land. Presenting as a young man, Viola takes the name Cesario. Viola/Cesario takes a job at the court of Duke Orsino, and quickly finds themself in the middle of a love triangle between the Duke and the Lady Olivia. Viola/Cesario meets an array of exciting and exuberant characters as the plot twists and turns. With immersive video and soundscape design, Twelfth Night is sure to entertain.
What: Open auditions for Wm. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Twelfth Night, directed by Isaac Joyce-Shaw.
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave. NW—located off Highway 22, about 6 miles west of downtown Salem, Oregon.
Casting: Actors able to play up to 15 roles ranging from nobility to servants. For a full list of roles, genders and ages, please visit pentacletheatre.org. Click on “Auditions” at the top of the page.
Things to know: Lobby doors open at 12:30 p.m. and open auditions for all roles begin promptly at 1 p.m.
- Plan to arrive early to fill out an audition form. We encourage you to download a copy at org/auditions and complete it in advance. Please write clearly, especially your contact information. Headshots and resumes are not required, but always appreciated.
- Bring your calendar and provide a complete list of your conflicts through May 14. If you have a conflict on the audition date, please contact the director, below.
- Please prepare a short monologue from a work written by Wm. Shakespeare other than Twelfth Night. Actors will also audition by reading selected scenes from the script.
- Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.
COVID-19 protocols:
During auditions and rehearsals: For your health and safety, everyone attending auditions and rehearsals must provide proof of vaccination and must wear an approved mask (no gaiters or mesh masks, please) at all times when at Pentacle Theatre.
During performances: All audience members, volunteers and staff must provide proof of vaccination OR a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before the performance and everyone must wear a mask at all times while at Pentacle Theatre. Cast members will appear without masks only when performing onstage and will be tested weekly for COVID-19. Audience seating may be limited to meet current social distancing rules and guidelines.
Download detailed information about Pentacle’s COVID-19 protocols:
Callbacks: TBA if needed.
Rehearsals: Generally, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, beginning Feb. 28 at Pentacle Theatre, off Highway 22 about 6 miles west of downtown Salem. The director will set weekend rehearsals and work sessions as needed.
Rehearsals will be scheduled to make the best use of everyone’s time, especially for actors in school. Only actors needed for scheduled scenes will be required at rehearsals and we’ll release actors as early as possible. As we get farther into rehearsals, we’ll need everyone there so we can run the whole show. If you have questions or concerns about rehearsals, please contact the director, below.
Show dates: Friday, April 22 – Saturday, May 14.
- Cast members may be required to make special appearances for marketing purposes in the weeks before the show opens.
The story: Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated during a shipwreck on the coast of Illyria. With the aid of the sea captain, Viola disguises herself as a young man named ‘Cesario’ and enters the service of Duke Orsino.
Duke Orsino has convinced himself that he is in love with Olivia, who is mourning the recent death of her brother. She refuses to see entertainments, be in the company of men, or accept love or marriage proposals from anyone—the Duke included—until seven years have passed. Duke Orsino then uses ‘Cesario’ as an intermediary to profess his passionate love before Olivia.
Olivia, however, falls in love with ‘Cesario,’ setting her at odds with her professed duty. Meanwhile, Viola has fallen in love with Duke Orsino, creating a love triangle: Viola loves Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario.
In a comic subplot, several characters conspire to make Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio, believe that Olivia has fallen for him. This involves Olivia’s riotous uncle, Sir Toby Belch; another would-be suitor, a silly squire named Sir Andrew Aguecheek; her servants Maria and Fabian; and her witty fool, Feste. Sir Toby and Sir Andrew engage themselves in drinking and revelry, thus disturbing the peace of Olivia’s household until late into the night, prompting Malvolio to chastise them. Sir Toby famously retorts, “Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?” (There’s lots more fun that happens, but why spoil the surprise?)
Casting call: Actors able to play the following roles (roles may be doubled at director’s discretion):
- Viola—A shipwrecked young person who disguises themself as a page named Cesario.
- Sebastian—Viola’s twin sibling.
- Duke Orsino—A noble of Illyria.
- Olivia—A wealthy countess.
- Malvolio—Steward in Olivia’s household.
- Maria—Olivia’s attendant.
- Sir Toby Belch—Olivia’s uncle.
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek—A friend of Sir Toby.
- Feste—Olivia’s servant, a jester who plays and sings songs throughout the play.
- Fabian—A servant in Olivia’s household.
- Antonio—A sea captain and friend to Sebastian.
- Valentine and Curio —Gentlemen attending on the duke.
- A Servant in Olivia’s household.
- A Sea Captain—Friend to Viola.
Pentacle Theatre affirms, promotes and celebrates the participation of all, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or socioeconomic status.
Suitability: Twelfth Night is suitable for all audiences.
Information: If you have questions or a conflict on the audition date, please contact director Isaac Joyce-Shaw at 971-304-8862 .
