Women Playing Hamlet
By William Missouri Downs
Directed by Blake Bowen
October 14-17, 2021
Auditions: August 23 & 24, 6-8 p.m.
Lansing Community College Black Box Theatre 1422 Gannon Bldg.
Featuring an all-female cast performing multiple roles.
Hamlet’s a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. It doesn’t help that her acting coach is borderline abusive, or that every Starbucks barista with an MFA tells her she’s too young for the role. Or that she’s somehow managed to make Sir Patrick Stewart her nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she’s a woman. How can Jessica figure out “to be or not to be,” when she can’t even figure out herself?
Auditions will be cold readings so a monologue isn’t necessary. We will post sides ahead of time to the LCC Theatre, Music & Dance Facebook page. Please have a resume if possible. Director Blake is happy to answer any questions via email. mailto:bowenb4@lcc.edu.
______________
LCC Singing Auditions–
Led by Kelly Stuible-Clark and Jeff English
Auditions: Aug. 27, 6-9 p.m. and Aug. 28, 2-5 p.m.
Dart Auditorium
These auditions are to discover the singing/acting talent we have at LCC and in the community as we prepare for our upcoming season. These auditions are NOT to cast any roles in any of our season productions.
Those interested in auditioning should prepare 32 bars of music and something that shows off your singing/acting ability. We ask that you do not prepare anything by Sondheim. An accompanist will be provided.
For more information, contact Paige Tufford:mailto:tuffordl@star.lcc.eduor Kelly Stuible-Clark: mailto:stuib1@star.lcc.edu
________________
Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Mary Job
Auditions: Sept. 8-9, 7-9 p.m., Callbacks: Sept. 10, 6-8 p.m.
LCC Dart Auditorium
Synopsis: Intimate Apparel takes place in 1905 and follows Esther Mills, an African American seamstress, who makes lingerie for the wealthy women uptown and the ladies of the night downtown. When the owner of Esther’s boarding house, Mrs. Dickson, gives her a letter from a mysterious man in Panama, Esther’s world begins to shift. Winner of both the New York Drama Critics Award and the America Theatre Critics Award in 2004.
CHARACTERS
ESTHER - 35, Black, quiet and reserved. She sees herself as a plain spinster past any hope of marriage who is determined to build a life for herself.
MRS. DICKSON – 50’s, Black, owner of the boarding house where Esther resides. She is out-going, warm-hearted but also hard-headed and pragmatic in matters of money and romance.
MRS. VAN BUREN – 30’s, White. The very unhappy wife of a wealthy businessman. Definitely old NY money. Attracted to Esther, but caged by her social status and race, she is alternately confiding and stand-offish
.
MR. MARKS – 30’s, Romanian Orthodox Jewish immigrant. He is very attracted to Esther, but unable to express those feelings given his religion, culture and race. Speaks with a Romanian accent.
MAYME – late 20’s , Black, piano player and prostitute at a notorious saloon. Lively, talented, independent and beautiful. An ability to play the piano is desirable but not required. Singing required.
GEORGE – 30’s. A Barbadian immigrant A strong man with big dreams. Charming, very masculine, rough in his demeanor. His letters suggested a refinement he actually lacks. Speaks with a definite Caribbean accent.
For more info: jobm@star.lcc.edu
*While intimacy will be NOT required or expected for auditions, actors auditioning for the roles of Esther, George, Mayme and Mrs. Van Buren should be aware that the play itself does require moments of simulated sexual or physical intimacy between Esther and George, George and Mayme, Mayme and Esther and Mrs. Van Buren and Esther. All such scenes will be choreographed and directed in a collaborative fashion with the actors in rehearsal.
Performance Dates: Nov. 5-6, 12-14, 2021