The Vermont Theatre Company is pleased to announce that it will hold auditions for their 22nd annual Shakespeare in the Park production: William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by James Gelter.
Much Ado is one of the Bard's most beloved comedies, telling the story of two soldiers, Benedick and Claudio, who return home from war and find love in very different places. Claudio falls instantly is love with young Hero, the daughter of the Governor, Leonato, and wins her hand. But the evil Don John, and his cunning friend Borachio, will do anything in their power to stop the wedding from happening. Meanwhile, Benedick becomes frustrated with Hero's sharp-tongued cousin, Beatrice, and vows that he will have nothing to do with her, until the good Don Pedro vows to trick the two into falling in love. Amidst it all ambles Dogberry, a dimwit captain of the watch with delusions of grandeur, with his strangely loyal friend, Verges, and a foolish band of watchmen, who without knowing, may hold the key to solving both pairs of lover's woes.
Director James Gelter will be setting the show in New England, in the late 1700's. The war from which the soldiers return is the American Revolution, Don John is a tory who is forced to fall back into the good graces of his patriot brother, Don Pedro, and Dogberry and his men form the local militia.
Auditions will be March 17th and 18th, 7:00pm, location TBA. Each actor will be ask to read from select scenes corresponding to the roles they are interested in. No memorization required.
The following are the role available and select scenes from the play. Simply decided which parts you are interested in, and review the scenes that are next to them.
For more information, email James Gelter at jamesgelter@gmail.com
Don Pedro – Colonial General, returning home from victory. (Early 30’s to Early 50’s) Scenes C and F
Benedick – A quick-witted companion of Don Pedro. (Mid 20’s to Late 30’s) Scenes C, D, and I
Claudio – A young, heroic companion of Don Pedro. (Late teen to Late 20’s) Scenes C and F
Leonato – The Local Governor, an old friend of Don Pedro. (Early 40’s to Late 60’s) Scenes E and F
Antonio – Brother of Leonato. (Early 40’s to Late 70’s)* Scenes E and F
Hero – Leonato’s young, beautiful daughter. (Late teen to Late 20’s) Scene G
Beatrice – Leanato’s sharp-tongued neice. (Mid 20’s to Late 30’s) Scene D and E
Don John – Don Pedro’s bastard brother, a tory and a villain. (Early 20’s to Mid 30’s) Scene A and B
Borachio – A cunning and deceptive friend of Don John. (Early 20’s to Mid 30’s) Scene B
Conrade – Don John’s loyal servant. (Mid 30’s to Early 50’s) Scene A
Margaret – Lady-in-waiting to Hero, secret lover of Borachio. (Early 20’s to Mid 30’s) Scene G
Ursula – Lady-in-waiting to Hero. (Early 20’s to Mid 50’s) Scene G
Friar – A friar! (Mid 30’s to Late 60’s) No audition scene.
Sexton – A sexton! (Mid 30’s to Late 60’s) No audition scene.
Dogberry – A dimwitted head of the local militia. (Early 30’s to Mid 50’s) Scene H
Verges – Dogberry’s right-hand man. (Mid 20’s to Mid 50’s) Scene H
The Watchmen: Oatcake, Seacoal, and Bloomhead – The not-so-bright militiamen under Dogberry’s command. (Any age.)* Scene H
Messenger – A servant of Don Pedro. (Any age)* No audition scene.
Boy – Servant to Benedick. (9-16)* Scene I
Various lords, ladies, and servants. *“Gender-bending” possible.
SCENE A
CONRADE
What the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out of measure sad?
DON JOHN
There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit.
CONRADE
You should hear reason.
DON JOHN
And when I have heard it, what blessing brings it?
CONRADE
If not a present remedy, at least a patient sufferance.
DON JOHN
I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art, born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no man's jests, eat when I have stomach and wait for no man's leisure, sleep when I am drowsy and tend on no man's business, laugh when I am merry and claw no man in his humour.
CONRADE
Yea, but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment. You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hath ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself: it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest.
DON JOHN
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace, and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do
my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.
my liking: in the meantime let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.
CONRADE
Can you make no use of your discontent?
DON JOHN
I make all use of it, for I use it only.
SCENE B
DON JOHN
It is so; the Count Claudio shall marry the
daughter of Leonato.
daughter of Leonato.
BORACHIO
Yea, my lord; but I can cross it.
DON JOHN
Any bar, any cross, any impediment will be
medicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure to him,
and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges
evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage?
medicinable to me: I am sick in displeasure to him,
and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges
evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage?
BORACHIO
Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly that no
dishonesty shall appear in me.
dishonesty shall appear in me.
DON JOHN
Show me briefly how.
BORACHIO
I think I told your lordship a year since, how much
I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting
gentlewoman to Hero.
I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting
gentlewoman to Hero.
DON JOHN
What life is in that, to be the death of this marriage?
BORACHIO
The poison of that lies in you to temper. Go you to
the prince your brother; spare not to tell him that
he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned
Claudio--whose estimation do you mightily hold
up--to a contaminated stale, such a one as Hero.
the prince your brother; spare not to tell him that
he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned
Claudio--whose estimation do you mightily hold
up--to a contaminated stale, such a one as Hero.
DON JOHN
What proof shall I make of that?
BORACHIO
Proof enough to misuse the prince, to vex Claudio,
to undo Hero and kill Leonato. Look you for any
other issue?
to undo Hero and kill Leonato. Look you for any
other issue?
SCENE C
CLAUDIO
Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato?
BENEDICK
I noted her not; but I looked on her.
CLAUDIO
Is she not a modest young lady?
BENEDICK
Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome; and being no other but as she is, I do not like her.
CLAUDIO
Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her.
BENEDICK
Would you buy her, that you inquire after her?
CLAUDIO
Can the world buy such a jewel?
BENEDICK
Yea, and a case to put it into.
CLAUDIO
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on.
BENEDICK
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter.. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, have you?
CLAUDIO
I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn the contrary, if Hero would be my wife.
BENEDICK
Is't come to this? Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again? Go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays.
Enter DON PEDRO
DON PEDRO
What secret hath held you here, that you followed not to Leonato's?
BENEDICK
He is in love. With who? now that is your grace's part. With Hero, Leonato's short daughter.
DON PEDRO
Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy.
CLAUDIO
You speak this to fetch me in, my lord.
DON PEDRO
By my troth, I speak my thought.
CLAUDIO
And, in faith, my lord, I spoke mine.
BENEDICK
And, by my two faiths and troths, my lord, I spoke mine.
CLAUDIO
That I love her, I feel.
DON PEDRO
That she is worthy, I know.
BENEDICK
That I neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in it at the stake.
DON PEDRO
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty.
CLAUDIO
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.
BENEDICK
That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. I will live a bachelor.
DON PEDRO
I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.
BENEDICK
With anger, with sickness, or with hunger, my lord, not with love.
DON PEDRO
Well, as time shall try: 'In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.'
BENEDICK
The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead: and let me be vilely painted: 'Here you may see Benedick the married man.'
DON PEDRO
In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato's: commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made great preparation.
BENEDICK
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so I commit you--
CLAUDIO
To the tuition of God: From my house, if I had it,--
DON PEDRO
The sixth of July: Your loving friend, Benedick.
BENEDICK
Nay, mock not, mock not! Ere you flout old ends any further, examine your
conscience: and so I leave you.
conscience: and so I leave you.
SCENE D
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
BEATRICE
Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
BENEDICK
I will not desire that.
BEATRICE
You have no reason; I do it freely.
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.
BEATRICE
Ah, how much might the man deserve of me that would right her!
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship?
BEATRICE
A very even way, but no such friend.
BENEDICK
May a man do it?
BEATRICE
It is a man's office, but not yours.
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is
not that strange?
not that strange?
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not. It were as
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as
you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I
confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as
you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I
confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.
BENEDICK
By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
BEATRICE
Do not swear, and eat it.
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me; and I will make
him eat it that says I love not you.
him eat it that says I love not you.
BEATRICE
Why, then, God forgive me!
BENEDICK
What offence, sweet Beatrice?
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was about to
protest I loved you.
protest I loved you.
BENEDICK
And do it with all thy heart.
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none is
left to protest.
left to protest.
BENEDICK
Come, bid me do any thing for thee.
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio.
BENEDICK
Ha! not for the wide world.
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it. Farewell.
BENEDICK
Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
BEATRICE
I am gone, though I am here: there is no love in
you: nay, I pray you, let me go.
you: nay, I pray you, let me go.
BENEDICK
Beatrice,--
BEATRICE
In faith, I will go.
BENEDICK
We'll be friends first.
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy.
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy?
BEATRICE
Is he not approved in the height a villain, that
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O
that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands; and then, with public
accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour,
--O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart
in the market-place.
hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O
that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they
come to take hands; and then, with public
accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour,
--O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart
in the market-place.
BENEDICK
Hear me, Beatrice,--
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero! She is wronged, she is slandered, she is undone.
BENEDICK
Beat--
BEATRICE
O that I were a man for his sake! or that I
had any friend would be a man for my sake! But
manhood is melted into courtesies! I cannot be a
man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
had any friend would be a man for my sake! But
manhood is melted into courtesies! I cannot be a
man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with grieving.
BENEDICK
Tarry, good Beatrice. By this hand, I love thee.
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it.
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath wronged Hero?
BEATRICE
Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.
BENEDICK
Enough, I am engaged; I will challenge him. As you
hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort your
cousin: I must say she is dead: and so, farewell.
hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort your
cousin: I must say she is dead: and so, farewell.
SCENE E
LEONATO
Was not Count John here at supper?
ANTONIO
I saw him not.
BEATRICE
How tartly that gentleman looks! I never can see him but I am heart-burned an hour after.
ANTONIO
He is of a very melancholy disposition.
BEATRICE
He were an excellent man that were made just in the midway between him and Benedick: the one is too like an image and says nothing, and the other too like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling.
LEONATO
Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's mouth, and half Count John's melancholy in Signior Benedick's face,--
BEATRICE
With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world, if a' could get her good-will.
LEONATO
By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.
ANTONIO
In faith, she's too curst.
BEATRICE
Lord, I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face: I had rather lie in the woollen.
LEONATO
You may light on a husband that hath no beard.
BEATRICE
What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting-gentlewoman? He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no
beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him..
beard is less than a man: and he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man, I am not for him..
LEONATO
Well, then, go you into hell?
BEATRICE
No, but to the gate; and there will the devil meet me, like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, and say 'Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven; here's no place for you maids:' so away to Saint Peter for the heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.
DON PEDRO
Good den, good den.
CLAUDIO
Good day to both of you.
LEONATO
Hear you. my lords,--
DON PEDRO
We have some haste, Leonato.
LEONATO
Some haste, my lord! well, fare you well, my lord:
Are you so hasty now? well, all is one.
Are you so hasty now? well, all is one.
DON PEDRO
Nay, do not quarrel with us, good old man.
ANTONIO
If he could right himself with quarreling,
Some of us would lie low.
Some of us would lie low.
CLAUDIO
Who wrongs him?
LEONATO
Marry, thou dost wrong me; thou dissembler, thou:--
Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child;
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors;
O, in a tomb where never scandal slept,
Save this of hers, framed by thy villany!
Know, Claudio, to thy head,
Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me.
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child;
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart,
And she lies buried with her ancestors;
O, in a tomb where never scandal slept,
Save this of hers, framed by thy villany!
CLAUDIO
My villany?
LEONATO
Thine, Claudio; thine, I say.
DON PEDRO
You say not right, old man.
LEONATO
My lord, my lord,
I'll prove it on his body, if he dare,
Despite his nice fence and his active practise,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
I'll prove it on his body, if he dare,
Despite his nice fence and his active practise,
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood.
CLAUDIO
Away! I will not have to do with you.
LEONATO
Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast kill'd my child:
If thou kill'st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
If thou kill'st me, boy, thou shalt kill a man.
ANTONIO
He shall kill two of us, and men indeed.
Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me:
Sir boy, I'll whip you from your foining fence;
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, follow me:
Sir boy, I'll whip you from your foining fence;
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
LEONATO
Brother,--
ANTONIO
Content yourself. God knows I loved my niece;
And she is dead, slander'd to death by villains!
And she is dead, slander'd to death by villains!
LEONATO
But, brother Antony,--
ANTONIO
Come, 'tis no matter:
Do not you meddle; let me deal in this.
Do not you meddle; let me deal in this.
DON PEDRO
Gentlemen both, we will not wake your patience.
My heart is sorry for your daughter's death:
But, on my honour, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
My heart is sorry for your daughter's death:
But, on my honour, she was charged with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof.
LEONATO
My lord, my lord,--
DON PEDRO
I will not hear you.
LEONATO
No? Come, brother; away! I will be heard.
ANTONIO
And shall, or some of us will smart for it.
SCENE G
URSULA
But are you sure
That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?
That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?
HERO
So says the prince and my new-trothed lord.
URSULA
And did they bid you tell her of it, madam?
HERO
They did entreat me to acquaint her of it;
But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick,
To wish him wrestle with affection,
And never to let Beatrice know of it.
But I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick,
To wish him wrestle with affection,
And never to let Beatrice know of it.
MARGARET
Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman
Deserve as full as fortunate a bed
As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?
Deserve as full as fortunate a bed
As ever Beatrice shall couch upon?
HERO
O god of love! I know he doth deserve
As much as may be yielded to a man:
But Nature never framed a woman's heart
Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice. She cannot love,
Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
She is so self-endeared.
As much as may be yielded to a man:
But Nature never framed a woman's heart
Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice. She cannot love,
Nor take no shape nor project of affection,
She is so self-endeared.
URSULA
Sure, I think so;
And therefore certainly it were not good
She knew his love, lest she make sport at it.
And therefore certainly it were not good
She knew his love, lest she make sport at it.
MARGARET
Yet tell her of it: hear what she will say.
HERO
No; rather I will go to Benedick
And counsel him to fight against his passion.
And, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders
To stain my cousin with: one doth not know
How much an ill word may empoison liking.
And counsel him to fight against his passion.
And, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders
To stain my cousin with: one doth not know
How much an ill word may empoison liking.
URSULA
O, do not do your cousin such a wrong.
She cannot be so much without true judgment--
Having so swift and excellent a wit
As she is prized to have--as to refuse
So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.
She cannot be so much without true judgment--
Having so swift and excellent a wit
As she is prized to have--as to refuse
So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.
HERO
He is the only man of the country.
Always excepted my dear Claudio.
Always excepted my dear Claudio.
URSULA
I pray you, be not angry with me, madam,
Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick,
For shape, for bearing, argument and valour,
Goes foremost in report through the country.
Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick,
For shape, for bearing, argument and valour,
Goes foremost in report through the country.
HERO
Indeed, he hath an excellent good name.
URSULA
His excellence did earn it, ere he had it.
When are you married, madam?
When are you married, madam?
HERO
Why, every day, to-morrow. Come, go in:
I'll show thee some attires, and have thy counsel
Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow.
I'll show thee some attires, and have thy counsel
Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow.
SCENE H
DOGBERRY
Are you good men and true?
VERGES
Yea, or else it were pity but they should suffer
salvation, body and soul.
salvation, body and soul.
DOGBERRY
Nay, that were a punishment too good for them, if
they should have any allegiance in them, being
chosen for the prince's watch.
they should have any allegiance in them, being
chosen for the prince's watch.
VERGES
Well, give them their charge, neighbour Dogberry.
DOGBERRY
This is your
charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are
to bid any man stand, in the prince's name.
charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are
to bid any man stand, in the prince's name.
OATCAKE
How if a' will not stand?
DOGBERRY
Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go.
VERGES
If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none
of the prince's subjects.
of the prince's subjects.
DOGBERRY
True, and they are to meddle with none but the
prince's subjects. You shall also make no noise in
the streets; for, for the watch to babble and to
talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.
prince's subjects. You shall also make no noise in
the streets; for, for the watch to babble and to
talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.
SEACOAL
We will rather sleep than talk.
DOGBERRY
Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet
watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should
offend: only, have a care that your bills be not
stolen. Well, you are to call at all the
ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed.
watchman; for I cannot see how sleeping should
offend: only, have a care that your bills be not
stolen. Well, you are to call at all the
ale-houses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed.
BLOOMHEAD
How if they will not?
DOGBERRY
Why, then, let them alone till they are sober: if
they make you not then the better answer, you may
say they are not the men you took them for.
they make you not then the better answer, you may
say they are not the men you took them for.
BLOOMHEAD
Well, sir.
DOGBERRY
If you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue
of your office, to be no true man.
of your office, to be no true man.
OATCAKE
If we know him to be a thief, shall we not lay
hands on him?
hands on him?
DOGBERRY
Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they
that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable
way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him
show himself what he is and steal out of your company.
that touch pitch will be defiled: the most peaceable
way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him
show himself what he is and steal out of your company.
VERGES
You have been always called a merciful man, partner.
DOGBERRY
Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more
a man who hath any honesty in him.This is the end of the charge:
a man who hath any honesty in him.This is the end of the charge:
I pray you watch about Signior Leonato's door; for the
wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great
coil to-night. And there be any matter of weight
chances, call up me. Adieu: be vigitant, I beseech you.
Come, neighbour.
SEACOAL
Well, masters, we hear our charge: let us go sit here
upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.
upon the church-bench till two, and then all to bed.
BENEDICK
Boy!
Enter Boy
Boy
Signior?
BENEDICK
In my chamber-window lies a book: bring it hither
to me in the orchard.
to me in the orchard.
Boy
I am here already, sir.
BENEDICK
I know that; but I would have thee hence, and here again.
Exit Boy
