Auditions
Thursday 13th March
Friday 14th March
Saturday 15th March (call backs)
LOCATION - WILLISTON FEDERATED CHURCH
Director: Michael Fidler
This adaptation is a modern take on the original, written beautifully for the West End in 2017, focusing on recreating the theatrical effect of Moliere’s humor on a modern audience, rather than merely translating his words. It’s written in plain English, there’s a very modern rhythm to the jokes, and it’s very funny indeed.
SINGING AND DANCING NOT REQUIRED, BUT ADVANTAGEOUS
If you’re interested in performing some outrageous comedy with even more outrageous costumes, please book a slot - no “straight play” experience necessary! This is going to be a LOT of fun!
Moliere drew his material directly from the commedia dell’arte, and the classic tropes and archetypes he painted are recognizable today in almost all forms of performance art. He is known as the father of farce, and famously said that his plays were written to be performed and not read. The Miser has slapstick, mime, farce, a whip-cracking pace and plenty of singing and dancing - not to mention a plot that reads like an episode of Schitt’s Creek, all set within the absurd fashions of 17th Century Paris.
General Information
Character Information and an outline of the audition process follows below.
Performers must be a minimum of 18 years old at the time of auditioning.
Rehearsal times vary, but will always be on weekday evenings and weekend afternoons. Specific requirements are outlined in the Audition Form, but broadly speaking, a schedule will be created based on the conflicts of the performers cast - per the conflicts stated on the audition form.
Principal roles should expect to rehearse 3-4 times a week from April 3 to June 7.
Supporting roles should expect to rehearse 2-3 times a week from May 5 to June 7.
CHARACTERS
Characters are divided between the principal roles, and the numerous supporting roles. Those playing a principal roles should be broadly available over the entire rehearsal period, whereas a supporting role might suit someone who wishes to be involved in the project but has limited availability for whatever reason. (Some of them are really fun and not very large.)
PRINICIPAL ROLES
(Genders stated are the supposed genders the characters presented as in the original version)
The titular Miser. Grotesque patriarch, obsessed with money and determined not to spend any of his vast fortune at any cost. Larger than life character - grouchy, cynical and willing to take on the audience eye-to-eye in a direct relationship.
HARPAGON M 50-65
Son of HARPAGON. A fop of a character, very much larger than life and drowning in perfume and frills. Overwhelmed with debts, he desperately tries to lead the life of a rich courtier’s son but without access to any of the required money. Desperately trying to get his hands on his father’s fortune in order to be able to woo his love. A very genuine buffoon.
CLEANTE M 25-35
Daughter of HARPAGON. A spoiled brat of a rich girl, still living at home, with an absurd sense of fashion, unbelievable wigs, and unable to pronounce the letter ‘r’. Deeply in love with VALERE, she is desperately trying to avoid the arranged marriage her father has planned to the wealthy octogenarian next door. A large character, prone to hurling herself from sofa to sofa in fits of anguish.
ELISE F 25-35
HARPAGON’s beleaguered servant, engaged as Valet, Sommelier, Coachman and Chef. Side-kick to Harpagon, and playing to the audience’s affection via his mistreatment. Chief comic player in the show, with elements of farce, slapstick and many asides. Dry and sardonic and loaded with business.
MAITRE JACQUES M 25-50
Aging Courtesan turned match-maker. A dry comedic role, she conspires with anyone who will pay her to work out the variously complicated marriage prospects on offer. A combination of false vanity, cynicism and pragmatism - with a lot of one-liners.
FROSINE F 35-55
VALERE M 25-35
HARPAGON’S butler. The stand up lover. Secretly in love with ELISE, he has entered HARPAGON”S service in order to be close to his love. Honorable, deeply poetic and very, very, very sincere, he wears his self-pity and sanctimoniousness all over his face— also happens to be ex-military
Young woman, newly arrived in Paris, and the object of much romantic attention - pretty, but unfortunately poor. Feisty, witty, terribly enthusiastic, and hopelessly romantic to boot - not against the occasional swoon.
MARIANE F 20-25
SUPPORTING ROLES M/F 20-80
MR SIMON, the money-lender
DAME CLAUDE, the ancient serving wench of the house
MONSIEUR ANSELME, the venerable and wealthy neighbor
LA FLECHE, valet to Cleante and a crook
OFFICER, an extremely upstanding gentleman of the law
HARPSICHORDIST, a fancy French musician (must play piano)
PEDRO, a loyal servant in traditional Spanish dress
PROCESS
1. Book a Slot
You are required to book a slot for audition. There are a limited number of slots and we anticipate a high demand. When they are gone, they are gone, so please submit early if you are genuinely interested. Please cancel your slot if you know you will not be attending so someone else can use it.
To book a slot, simply complete the Audition Form and send it to the email address below. You will be offered a slot by reply on your preferred day (which you will select on the form).
AUDITION FORM is HERE
Email the completed form to VTRepStageManager@gmail.com
The deadline for booking a slot is midnight on Wednesday March 12
Your audition will be private, at a specified time, and take no longer than 15 minutes. We may run a little behind and ask for your understanding.
You should prepare one - and only one - of the sides below, according to the character you wish to be seen for. You do not need to learn the material in advance, although you may certainly do that if you choose.
If you are auditioning for a supporting role, you may use ANY of the sides below.
2. Prepare material for the role(s) you wish to be seen for
SIDES
3. Keep the callback day free
Callbacks are Saturday 15th March. You may be asked to work on the side you used at the audition or you may be given new material.
Not receiving a callback is not an indication that you will not be cast.
4. Watch out for Emails
We communicate via email from the address VTRepStageManager@gmail.com. If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours of submitting your form, please check your spam folder and ensure this address is going directly into your inbox for any further communication.
You will receive a notification of whether or not we are able to offer you a place in the cast between March 15th and 17th. The cast list will be published on or before Tuesday March 18th.