For the Whim Productions announces open auditions for William Shakespeare’s whimsical comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Director Heidi Dugan and Assistant Director Paul “Cheever” Ranck are seeking a diverse cast of 18-25 adults. People ages 16 and up of all genders, races, abilities are encouraged to audition. Portrayed genders and age ranges are suggested for roles as described below. Some actors may perform multiple roles. No one under the age of 18 at the time of casting will be cast in any role requiring physical intimacy.
Auditions will be August 16 and 17 at the Hopeloft (40 E Commerce St) in Bridgeton. Doors open at 6:30, and auditions begin at 7pm. Rehearsals will take place in Millville, NJ on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday nights (subject to adjustment based on cast conflicts). Performances will be November 13-21 at the Hopeloft in Bridgeton, NJ. This is a non-equity, volunteer production.
Please come prepared to the auditions. Auditions will consist of monologues and paired or grouped readings. You may choose from the monologues posted below, or another Shakespearean monologue your choice. Please be comfortable with the text for all characters for which you’d like to read. Memorization is neither necessary nor preferred – we would rather you demonstrate characterization and personality. You may be asked to read for other characters during the audition.
If you are unable to attend the posted audition dates, contact Production Manager Joe Dugan (williamjosephdugan@gmail.com) prior to August 15 to make alternate arrangements.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and widely performed plays. The story is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict among four Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play which they are to perform at the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue.
The Doubled Roles
Theseus / Oberon (40s–60s; male presenting)
- Theseus: Duke of Athens. Noble, rational, a commanding leader who embodies order and authority.
- Oberon: King of the Fairies. Regal, imperious, mischievous, and manipulative. Commands both fear and admiration.
- Intimacy Note: Possible staged kiss/embrace with Hippolyta/Titania; physical closeness with Puck or fairies in moments.
Hippolyta / Titania (40s-60s; female presenting)
- Hippolyta: Queen of the Amazons. Regal, skeptical, independent, negotiating her power within her betrothal.
- Titania: Queen of the Fairies. Proud, sensual, powerful, with comic vulnerability under enchantment.
- Intimacy Note: Possible kiss/embrace with Theseus/Oberon. Titania, under enchantment, may embrace or kiss Bottom (comic but physical).
The Lovers
- Hermia: (18–30s; female presenting) Passionate, headstrong, loyal; defies her father to follow true love.
Intimacy: Kiss/embrace with Lysander. May physically struggle with Helena during quarrel. - Lysander: (18–30s; male presenting) Romantic, witty, idealistic; quick to love and to change when enchanted.
Intimacy: Kiss/embrace with Hermia. Pursuit of Helena under spell may require close physical interaction. - Helena: (18–30s; female presenting) Insecure, self-doubting, fiercely devoted; comic potential in relentless pursuit of Demetrius.
Intimacy: May cling to/chase Demetrius; receives affection from Lysander/Demetrius under enchantment. - Demetrius: (18–30s; male presenting) Entitled, stubborn, later transformed; often comic in cruelty.
Intimacy: Rejects Helena harshly at first; later embraces/kisses her after spell.
The Fairies
- Robin Goodfellow “Puck”: (Any age/gender) Mischief-maker and Oberon’s servant. Energetic, playful, and often breaks the fourth wall. May double with Philostrate.
Intimacy: May touch/manipulate others when enchanting them, but no romantic intimacy. - Fairy Attendants (Titania’s: Peaseblossom, Cobweb; Oberon’s: Blaze, Gale; possible others): (Any age/gender) Ethereal, comic, often physical/dance-oriented.
Intimacy: Ensemble closeness, playful physicality, no romantic intimacy.
The Court
- Egeus: (40s–60s; all genders) Hermia’s parent. Stern, rigid, insists on obedience.
Intimacy: May gesture or restrain Hermia briefly in anger. - Philostrate: (20s–40s; all genders) Court official, often comic as an overworked “stage manager” of entertainments. May double with Robin Goodfellow.
Intimacy: None.
The Mechanicals
(Any age (except Bottom and Flute must be 18+); all genders (except Flute must be male presenting)
Comic working-class troupe rehearsing “Pyramus and Thisby.” Full of physical comedy and exaggerated earnestness.
- Bottom (weaver): Overconfident, lovable fool. Dreams of grandeur. Intimacy: Embraced or kissed by Titania under enchantment. May perform comedic “love” scenes with Flute in play-within-a-play.
- Quince (carpenter): Earnest “director,” easily frustrated. Intimacy: None.
- Flute (bellows-mender): Shy, awkward, cast unwillingly as “Thisby.” Intimacy: May perform comedic “love” scenes with Bottom in play-within-a-play.
- Snug (joiner): Nervous but sweet, plays the Lion. Intimacy: None.
- Snout (tinker): Over-serious about small role. Intimacy: None.
- Starveling (tailor): Deadpan and literal. Intimacy: None.