To: Willamette University Students
From: Susan Coromel, Associate Chair, Department of Theatre
Date: June 7, 2008
Re: Fall General Audition Requirements

Willamette University Theatre invites you to audition for our fall season!

AUDITIONS for the first semester’s productions will be held the afternoon of Monday September 1st beginning at 12:00pm in the Kresge Theatre on Campus.   Callbacks will be held Tuesday September 2nd beginning at 6:00 pm.  

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Directed by Guest Artist Michael Brusasco
Guest Actor, Brent Barnes playing the role of Malvolio
Rehearsal dates: September 3rd – October 16th
Production dates: October 17th – November 2nd

Audition Times: Auditions begin at 12:00 pm Monday September 1st.  Everyone will arrive at this time and meet in the Kresge Theatre to receive instructions and fill out an audition card.  When you turn in your audition card you will receive a number.  Auditions occur in numerical order.
Audition requirements: Prepare one monologue (10-25 lines memorized) from a Shakespeare play.   The monologue needs to be in verse.  You can choose a piece from Twelfth Night if you wish, otherwise choose something that is in the spirit of the play (Richard II is not the best choice).   Look for pieces that relate to you, whatever that personalization may be.

Additionally, please prepare a song of your choice that you feel reflects your response to Twelfth Night; 16 bars or equivalent is fine.  Please make the song contemporary, unless you feel passionate about something that is more classical in nature.  If you can play an instrument or have any special skills (Tap, Juggling, etc), make sure to let the director know.

The Director suggests that you view a few movies over the summer in your preparations. Amelie and Moulin Rouge both have characters that are yearning for love in extreme circumstances.  He also suggests the Twelfth Night starring John Gielgud, Ben Kingsley, and Helena Bonham-Carter is lovely.  To understand the general look of the show, check out The Goonies.  As zany as this may sound, the look of this screwball classic is a springboard for the look of the set and costumes.

For further reading, have a look at Harold Bloom’s essay on Twelfth Night, in his book Shakespeare, The Invention of the Human

If you have any questions feel free to contact the director, Michael Brusasco
 at: brusasco@gmail.com.
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Do you want to be involved, but not in the acting capacity?  Then please stop by the theatre between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Monday September 1st to fill out an interest form, we’d love to meet you!
ALSO: Our Theatre Department Open House will be held from 6:00 – 7:00pm on Monday, September 1stStop by for refreshments and a chance to meet new people!