Kids Can Shake it Up with Shakespeare This Summer at Long Wharf

Long Wharf Theatre announces auditions for its upcoming Shake-it-Up Shakespeare Summer Youth production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The play will be directed by Long Wharf Theatre’s Director of Education Annie DiMartino, with

musical direction by Carol Taubl. Performances will take place on August 23-26 on Stage II.

William Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and magic gets a fun new twist in this production for young performers. Lovers jump and jive their way through the magic of Shakespeare’s language while incorporating classic songs from the 1950s. Fairies slither and crawl their way through their animal kingdom while singing contemporary rock music. See what occurs when the two worlds collide, causing chaos and hilarious moments of mischief and misguided love.

The general auditions for Non-Equity performers age 15 to 21 will take place the week of June 18^th - 22^ndfrom noon to 4pm at Long Wharf Theatre. Invited call backs will take place on Saturday, June 23^rd from 10am to 4pm, with actors performing physical work, learning music and cold reading scenes and monologues.

Auditions for the Ensemble will be held at Long Wharf Theatre, located at 222 Sargent Drive. Actors are asked to bring a headshot, resume, and prepare a memorized Shakespeare monologue no more than 90 seconds and 30 seconds of either a 1950s or contemporary rock song. Some suggested musical artists to explore are Florence and the Machine, Muse, Owl City, The Jamies, Roy Orbison, or Herman’s Hermits.

Performers with musical theatre experience and some classical training are encouraged to audition. If performers are proficient in a musical instrument (guitar, bass, piano, violin, cello) they should bring the instrument to the audition.

Rehearsals for the show will begin on July 9^thand will take place on Mondays through Fridays from 1 to 4 pm.

SHAKE-IT-UP APPRENTICE PROGRAM

Long Wharf Theatre is also starting a Shake-it-Up Apprentice Program for younger performers seeking additional musical and classical training.

Students will have the opportunity to spend August taking music, dance and acting classes in the morning while rehearsing A Midsummer Nights Dream in the afternoon. Apprentices will be cast in smaller roles in Midsummer, and will have the opportunity to showcase their talent through a special separate performance of songs and scenes.

Interested apprentices ages 11-16 are required to audition with potential ensemble members (same days and times). Apprentice auditions need not memorize a Shakespeare monologue, but can come with another text, such as a poem, a contemporary monologue, or a short story from a book. Apprentices must also sing at their auditions.

If accepted into the apprentice program, classes will begin July 30^th and will take place Mondays through Fridays from 10am-12pm with show rehearsals immediately following at 1. Cost for the morning class sessions is $900 with the classes ending on August 17^th. The week of August 20 -26^th both ensemble and apprentice groups are required to attend technical and dress rehearsals leading to opening from 12-5pm.

To reserve an audition time, call 203-787-4282.