TCR announces auditions for TCR’s 2024 winter production of Something Rotten!, written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, music and lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick.
Auditions will be held at Theatre Cedar Rapids Saturday, October 14th from 11:00-2:00, and Sunday, October 15th from 6:00-9:00. Callbacks (acting/singing) and a group dance/movement call will be held Monday, October 16th between 5:00-10:00.
Rehearsals will begin in early December with a break for the holidays. Rehearsals will typically be held five days a week, including potential weekend days. Not all cast will be called to all rehearsals. We will have a “days off” outlined schedule to cast members no less than two weeks prior to the first rehearsal.
ABOUT AUDITIONS
Contact Courtny Rocarek (courtny.rocarek@theatrecr.org) with questions about auditions. If you cannot attend auditions on these dates we will accept a video audition. Email for more information.
- Audition Dates/Times: Saturday, October 14th from 11:00-2:00 and Sunday, October 15th from 6:00-9:00. Callbacks (acting/singing) and a group dance/movement call will be held Monday, October 16th from 6:00-10:00.
- Fill out an AUDITION FORM HERE (REQUIRED)
- Sign up for an AUDITION SLOT HERE (REQUIRED)
- On audition day: Arrive at the TCR lobby at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time and you will be directed to the audition space. You can leave after you are finished with your audition slot.
- WHAT TO PREPARE:
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- Prepare part of a song: Prepare 16-32 bars of any musical theatre song in the style of the show. The selection should not exceed 1 minute. Sing something that showcases you and your talent and range.
- Bring sheet music or accompaniment: Bring marked sheet music for our accompanist to play or an accompaniment track on your phone to connect to our bluetooth speaker. No acapella auditions, please.
- After you have finished your song, you will be done for the evening.
- Focus on acting/connecting/expression! Perform for us like you’re performing in your living room for your cat/dog/hamster/etc. Perfection is not expected – we’re hoping to see your potential!
- Casting timeline After callbacks have been completed, we will be in contact with all auditioners about a timeline for the final cast announcements.
ABOUT TCR’S PRODUCTION OF SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Something Rotten! will be directed by Matt Hagmeier Curtis, choreographed by Megan Helmers, with music direction by Janelle Lauer, scenic and lighting design by S. Benjamin Farrar, and costumes by Jess Helberg.
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
Something Rotten! will be presented in the TCR Auditorium, February 9th – March 3rd, 2024. Performances take place Thu – Sat at 7:30 p.m., and Sun at 2:30 p.m. with potential added dates between February 9th and March 10th.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! ROLES AVAILABLE
The creative team seeks a diverse company of actors ages 16+. Actors of all ethnicities will be equally considered for all roles and actors of color are encouraged to audition. We will actively explore diversity and inclusion in our casting choices – from race/ethnicity to gender expression to body type to accessibility, we welcome everyone to the table and are excited to see what you can bring to the story of Something Rotten!
Note: Some characters are written by the author with certain pronouns, and in service of the author’s intent, we must honor those pronouns in the dialogue onstage, and certain songs in the score must be performed in the styles in which they were intended. These are the parameters we must legally honor in our use of copyrighted material.
All roles are open.
SHAKESPEARE (vocal range: Ab2-Ab4) – Late 20s to early 40s, male identifying. A strutting, swaggering rockstar. Over-the-top and cocky, he is the Renaissance James Brown or Mick Jagger. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well, and can sport vague British and Yorkshire accents. Tap experience a plus.
NICK BOTTOM (vocal range: A2-G4) – Late 20s to early 40s, male identifying. A frustrated Renaissance writer at his wit’s end, trapped in Shakespeare’s shadow. Passionate, at times goofy, and competitive. Nigel’s older brother and Bea’s husband. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well. Tap experience a plus.
NIGEL BOTTOM (vocal range: Eb3-A4) – 20s to 30s, male identifying. An adorably sincere, sometimes awkward poet. Initially very nervous and humble, but slowly gains confidence through a shared appreciation of poetry with his newfound love, Portia. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings very well.
BEA (vocal range: D3-D5) – Late 20s to 40s, female identifying. A capable and charismatic woman determined to live her own way in Elizabethan England (even if it means dressing as man to do it). Suffers no fools, except sometimes Nick, because she loves him. Seeking a great comedic actress that sings very well. Mezzo with belt.
PORTIA (vocal range: G3-F#5) – 20s to early 30s, female identifying. A bright young Puritan woman who can’t help her passionate love of poetry, theatre, and ultimately, Nigel. Seeking a great comedic actress that sings very well. Soprano with a mix.
NOSTRADAMUS (vocal range: C3-F4) – 40s to 50s, male identifying. A soothsayer who can predict the future… almost… kinda. Goofy at times, yet sometimes wise. He predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well.
BROTHER JEREMIAH (vocal range: G3-G4) – 40s to 50s, male identifying. A tightly, tightly laced Puritan who despises playwrights, poets, and all things “ungodly.” Portia’s father. Seeking a great comedic actor that sings very well. Rock baritone solid to G4.
LORD CLAPHAM (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, male identifying. Patron of theatre. He’s flamboyant and extremely posh. Seeking a great comedic actor that can join the ensemble in singing.
SHYLOCK (non-singing role) – 50s to 60s, male identifying. A Jewish money lender to whom Nick is in debt. Dreams of getting into show business. Seeking a great comedic actor that can join the ensemble in singing.
MINSTREL (vocal range: C#3-A4) – Any age, any gender. Welcomes the audience to the show and serves as a narrator (sometimes). Written for a tenor solid to A4, but open to casting any gender in the role. Also in the ensemble.
ENSEMBLE (all voice parts) – Various ages, genders, and occupations: Minstrel, Townspeople, Nick’s Troupe, Lord Clapham, Shylock, Man Servants, Crowd, Chorus, etc. Tap experience helpful!