The Resident Theatre announces auditions for Theresa Rebeck’s

Bernhardt/Hamlet

December 3-4, 7-9pm
Callbacks: December 7

Paris. 1899. The international stage celebrity, Sarah Bernhardt, has grown tired of the ingenue roles that made her famous. Now, she’s in rehearsal for her most controversial role yet-Hamlet. Theresa Rebeck’s play is filled with high comedy and human drama against the backdrop of a Shakespearean production that could make or break Bernhardt’s career.

Prepare your best Shakespeare, no more than 90 seconds.

Schedule and performances

First rehearsal is February 8. Rehearsals run Monday-Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Thursday evening will be added for tech week.

Performances are March 28-April 13 (twelve performances including one designated understudy show).

Pay

$200 stipend for principal roles; $100-$150 stipend for supporting roles and understudies.

Characters

All roles are open to actors of any racial, sexual, or gender identity. Genders and ages listed are those of the characters.


SARAH BERNHARDT (Female, can play 50s): Renowned French actor of the late 19th and early 20th century. The most accomplished actor of her day. Intelligent, confident, magnetic. Revolting against society’s disdain for aging women. This role requires intimacy and fight choreography.

EDMOND ROSTAND (Male, 30s/40s): French poet and dramatist deeply infatuated with Sarah. Best known for writing Cyrano de Bergerac. This role requires intimacy.

CONSTANT COQUELIN (Male, 50s-60s): The leading man in Sarah’s troupe. Sarah’s confidant. A French actor of “unusual range and versatility.” This role requires fight choreography.

ALPHONSE MUCHA (Male, 30s-40s): A Czech painter, illustrator, and graphic artist active during the birth of Art Nouveau. Became famous through his depictions of Sarah.

MAURICE BERNHARDT (Male, 20s/30s): The devoted, dignified illegitimate son of Sarah Bernhardt. Very close to his mother, she’s the only family he’s ever known. This role requires fight choreography.

LYSETTE MELLOT (Female, 20s): The ingenue of Sarah’s troupe, an actress in awe of Sarah. This role requires intimacy.

LOUIS LEMERCIER (Male, 60s): The leading theatre critic of Paris who loves to be courted by artists.

ROSAMOND GERARD (Female, 20s-30s): The neglected wife of Edmond Rostand. A poet and playwright of quiet dignity.

RAOUL (Male, 30s-40s): An actor in Sarah’s troupe. Self-involved. Not the brightest, but a real talent.

FRANCOIS (Male, 30s-40s): An actor in Sarah’s troupe. A little scattered, but well-trained and serious about his craft. This role requires fight choreography.

WORKER (Male, Any Age): A worker outside Sarah’s theater. A role that can be combined with Louis, or made available for an actor interested in a small role.

ENSEMBLE (Open): Non-speaking roles portraying theater employees, additional members of Sarah’s troupe, fans, bystanders, etc. can be factored into this production. Ensemble members will also act as crew members for the purposes of scene changes if needed and as understudies.

Scheduling

To make an appointment, email headshot and resume to info@edgeofthewood.com.