JACKSON – The Michigan Shakespeare Festival announced it will hold auditions for its expanded High School Tour, which will feature productions of Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth during the 2011-12 school year.
Auditions will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, September 4 and from noon-7 p.m., Monday, September 5, at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal Hall, 215 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. The company will consist of nine men and three women – all types are welcome. Additionally, the Festival will cast covers – who will rehearse and perform – for all roles.
All actors cast will appear in both productions in the Tour, which runs November 28, 2011 through May 25, 2012. Last season, there were 35 performances for nearly 10,000 students in Calhoun, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. This year, the Festival hopes to reach at least 50 schools with possible expansion into Bay, Branch, Clinton, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Midland, Monroe, and Saginaw counties, depending on interest.
Actors must have daytime availability – all performances are during school hours – and a flexible work schedule as the Tour will have occasional 3-4 day trips.
Please prepare two contrasting Shakespeare monologues which are no longer than a combined four minutes. All ages and types are encouraged to audition.
About the Michigan Shakespeare Festival High School Tour:
- The 90-minute productions will rehearse on the following days: Sept. 11, Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2, Oct. 15-16, Oct. 29-30, Nov. 12-13.
- Performances will run from November 28, 2011 through May 25, 2012, as booked, in high schools throughout lower Michigan.
- Performances will typically be held in the mornings with start times between 8:30-11 a.m.
- Actors will always have at least two weeks notice for a performance.
- Each performance pays $50, with an extra travel stipend for long-distance shows (carpools for company members will be arranged). Lodging and per diem provided in case of overnight stays.
- These are all non-union positions.