GVSF 2024 SEASON AUDITIONS

January 20, 2023

The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival is committed to intentional casting. We encourage actors of all backgrounds/ethnicities to audition, and endorse the use of audition pieces without regard to traditional gender. Most characters we encounter currently are on the binary and are written with the he/him or she/her pronouns. But our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with.

We welcome performers of all abilities and strive to be accessible to all performers. Should you find yourself interested in auditioning but unable to take part in the process as laid out, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will work with you to ensure your application is welcomed and we will thank you for identifying barriers we did not anticipate.

The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival, for its 33rd season, seeks a diverse and versatile company of actors with strong classical skills for their production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Willis Taylor.

Note that the roles of Beatrice and Benedick have been cast,
and mentorship has been filled.

Outdoor rehearsals commence end of April. GVSF performances will run June 30 - July 22, Mon-Sat at 6:30pm, at two to three outdoor locations to be confirmed.  (Please see audition info sheet for detailed dates.)

Auditions will be held IN PERSON on Saturday January 20 from 10am to 6pm. Any callbacks will take place on another day to be determined. Appointments are required. To sign up for an audition, please email stagemanagement at vicshakespeare dot com with an electronic version of your headshot and resume to request a time slot. Appointments are given on a first come/first served basis. Please note: Bookings and replies will begin in early January (in order received).

We are an outdoor theatre and do not use microphones so great diction and vocal strength are essential. We are also looking for actors who play instruments and are comfortable learning music and singing.

Please prepare:

·      one Shakespeare monologue*

·      one character from one of the sides below

·      16 bars of any song (a capella or self-accompanied)

·      If you play an instrument (other than piano), please bring it and be prepared to play.

*IF YOU WERE IN THE COMPANY IN 2022 or 2023, YOU MAY OMIT THE MONOLOGUE.

Video auditions are accepted in cases where attendance is not possible. Please send your materials as above, as well as a link to an online video source (please do not send large video files).

Company Mentors: Actors who anchor key roles, as well as teaching and mentoring the Company in areas of their ability. These positions are paid.

Core Actors: Actors who may play multiple roles in the play. These actors receive workshops and engagement in a learning environment, as well as a small honourarium.

Junior Company: Actors ages 13-18, who play minor roles as well as learn areas of stagecraft and technical theatre. These actors receive workshops and engagement in a learning environment.