Auditions & Employment
Hamlet
Sign Up to audition for Hamlet here!
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This production will be a non-AEA project, with several paid principal roles. Contracts will range from $100.00 - $400.00 depending on the role and experience.
This show will be performed in Guilford County and possibly other surrounding counties. Shared Radiance specializes in outdoor theater, with some venues including travel from scene to scene for both actors and audience. Rehearsals for Hamlet will begin in late March with performances during the first two weekends of June. Auditions will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on January 17th (1/17/2024) and 1:00 to 4:00 PM on January 18th (1/18/2024) at 609 NC Highway 62 East, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313. For this production, auditioners must be 18 years of age, or older, and must have at least completed high school. Headshots and resumes are required at the time of audition. Please prepare a one to two minute dramatic monologue. Actors will also be given sides for cold reads and should be prepared to answer a few interview style questions. Live auditions are preferred but if you cannot make auditions, video auditions with resumes and headshots can be sent to [email protected]. An audition form will be sent to you. |
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Hamlet
The Prince of Denmark, the title character, and the protagonist. About thirty years old at the start of the play, Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle’s scheming and disgust for his mother’s sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Hamlet is often indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.
Claudius
The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and the play’s antagonist. The villain of the play, Claudius is a calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power, but he occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling—his love for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere.
Gertrude
The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother, recently married to Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than moral rectitude or truth.
Polonius
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s court, a pompous, conniving old man. Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
Ophelia
Polonius’s daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, she gives in to Polonius’s schemes to spy on Hamlet. Even in her lapse into madness and death, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning in the river amid the flower garlands she had gathered.
Laertes
Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.
The Ghost
The specter of Hamlet’s recently deceased father. The Ghost, who claims to have been murdered by Claudius, calls upon Hamlet to avenge him. However, it is not entirely certain whether the Ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else. Hamlet speculates that the Ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder, and the question of what the Ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved.
Horatio
Hamlet’s close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet’s death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet’s story.
Fortinbras
The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet’s father (also named Hamlet). Now Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father’s honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern
Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior.
Osric
The foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes.
The Gravediggers
A pair of commoners responsible for digging Ophelia’s grave. As an example of a Shakespearean fool, or clown, the Gravediggers offer a break from the play’s drama by ironically engaging in witty banter as they work.
First Player (Player King)
A member of the acting troupe that comes to perform for Hamlet and the royal court. When Hamlet requests a play whose plot resembles the murder of his father, the First Player takes on the role of a king murdered by his greed-driven nephew.
Voltimand and Cornelius
Courtiers whom Claudius sends to Norway to persuade the king to prevent Fortinbras from attacking.
Marcellus and Bernardo
The officers who first see the ghost walking the ramparts of Elsinore and who summon Horatio to witness it. Marcellus is present when Hamlet first encounters the ghost.
Francisco
A soldier and guardsman at Elsinore.
Reynaldo
Polonius’s servant, who is sent to France by Polonius to check up on and spy on Laertes.
Hamlet
The Prince of Denmark, the title character, and the protagonist. About thirty years old at the start of the play, Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle’s scheming and disgust for his mother’s sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg, Hamlet is often indecisive and hesitant, but at other times prone to rash and impulsive acts.
Claudius
The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and the play’s antagonist. The villain of the play, Claudius is a calculating, ambitious politician, driven by his sexual appetites and his lust for power, but he occasionally shows signs of guilt and human feeling—his love for Gertrude, for instance, seems sincere.
Gertrude
The Queen of Denmark, Hamlet’s mother, recently married to Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet deeply, but she is a shallow, weak woman who seeks affection and status more urgently than moral rectitude or truth.
Polonius
The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s court, a pompous, conniving old man. Polonius is the father of Laertes and Ophelia.
Ophelia
Polonius’s daughter, a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has been in love. Ophelia is a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Dependent on men to tell her how to behave, she gives in to Polonius’s schemes to spy on Hamlet. Even in her lapse into madness and death, she remains maidenly, singing songs about flowers and finally drowning in the river amid the flower garlands she had gathered.
Laertes
Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother, a young man who spends much of the play in France. Passionate and quick to action, Laertes is clearly a foil for the reflective Hamlet.
The Ghost
The specter of Hamlet’s recently deceased father. The Ghost, who claims to have been murdered by Claudius, calls upon Hamlet to avenge him. However, it is not entirely certain whether the Ghost is what it appears to be, or whether it is something else. Hamlet speculates that the Ghost might be a devil sent to deceive him and tempt him into murder, and the question of what the Ghost is or where it comes from is never definitively resolved.
Horatio
Hamlet’s close friend, who studied with the prince at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio is loyal and helpful to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet’s death, Horatio remains alive to tell Hamlet’s story.
Fortinbras
The young Prince of Norway, whose father the king (also named Fortinbras) was killed by Hamlet’s father (also named Hamlet). Now Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to avenge his father’s honor, making him another foil for Prince Hamlet.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern
Two slightly bumbling courtiers, former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg, who are summoned by Claudius and Gertrude to discover the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior.
Osric
The foolish courtier who summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes.
The Gravediggers
A pair of commoners responsible for digging Ophelia’s grave. As an example of a Shakespearean fool, or clown, the Gravediggers offer a break from the play’s drama by ironically engaging in witty banter as they work.
First Player (Player King)
A member of the acting troupe that comes to perform for Hamlet and the royal court. When Hamlet requests a play whose plot resembles the murder of his father, the First Player takes on the role of a king murdered by his greed-driven nephew.
Voltimand and Cornelius
Courtiers whom Claudius sends to Norway to persuade the king to prevent Fortinbras from attacking.
Marcellus and Bernardo
The officers who first see the ghost walking the ramparts of Elsinore and who summon Horatio to witness it. Marcellus is present when Hamlet first encounters the ghost.
Francisco
A soldier and guardsman at Elsinore.
Reynaldo
Polonius’s servant, who is sent to France by Polonius to check up on and spy on Laertes.
Shared Radiance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national and/or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military or veteran status in any of its educational programs, employment practices, and activities. Shared Radiance is always open to and engages in non-traditional casting.
Twelfth Night
Sign up to audition here!About Creative Greensboro
Creative Greensboro provides support for, ensures access to, and drives awareness of Greensboro’s creative community. Through a range of programs, services, and partnerships, we support the development of a vibrant city. In recognition of the important role arts play in the local economy and culture, City Council created a task force to lead the effort to create a Greensboro Cultural Arts Master Plan (GCAMP). The City hired a consulting firm to help create the plan, which was called Creative Greensboro. Greensboro is a growing and vibrant community and the plan aims to create a foundation to advance and support creative life. The final plan was adopted unanimously by the City Council December 2018. Read the full City’s Cultural Arts Plan. The City's existing Parks and Recreation cultural programs, City Arts, became a part of this new office of arts and culture, Creative Greensboro, in July 2019. The City hired its first Chief Creative Economy Officer to oversee Creative Greensboro in November 2019. City Council created the Cultural Affairs Commission in September 2021 to support and advise Creative Greensboro. |
Creative Greensboro in collaboration with Shared Radiance will hold auditions for William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” on January 21 and January 22 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre at the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St. Go to www.creativegreensboro.com for more information and to register for an audition time.
Creative Greensboro and Shared Radiance seek a racially diverse cast of teens ages 12-18 for ensemble and solo roles of all genders. No prior experience is required. Actors can audition with a prepared monologue or read from the script. In person rehearsals will be held on evenings and weekends as schedules permit, with performances on March 13-16. About “Twelfth Night” Everybody has a secret . . . Orsino wants Olivia, who likes Cesario, who is really Viola, who believes her brother, Sebastian, drowned in a shipwreck but was actually rescued by Antonio, who has beef with Orsino, and Malvolio wants Olivia but he’s being tricked by Feste and Sir Toby, who wants Olivia to marry Sir Andrew, and Maria? Who knows what secrets she’s harboring. Set in an Illyria covered in pop art and artpop, this gender-bending Shakespearean comedy is a romp through love, identity, and all the consequent twists and turns. Auditions will include cold reads pulled from the script. Auditionees may also choose to prepare an optional one-minute monologue. Scripts are available prior to auditions by emailing Todd Fisher at [email protected]. |
Character Breakdown
Viola: A stranger in a strange land. Makes up one third of the love triangle central to the plot of the show. After being shipwrecked, Viola disguises herself as Cesario and goes to work for Orsino. Intelligent, resilient, and brave. One of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography, and may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. The actor playing this role will need to be comfortable playing both female and male presenting.
Sebastian: Viola’s twin who is believed to be dead after being separated from her during a shipwreck. Sebastian’s appearance causes a lot of the confusion and mistaken identity in the play. Goes on a beautiful journey from feeling lost and unsure to confident and assured. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography and may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
Antonio: A sea captain and loyal friend to Sebastian with a mysterious past. The actor playing this role may be included in some light fight choreography. A great role for someone who wants to live out their swashbuckling dreams. Open to any gender presentation.
Ensemble: Captain, First Officer, Second Officer, Servant, Priest, Sailors, Townspeople, etc. Open to anyone! Being in the ensemble is great for a lot of reasons - making new friends, spending time with old friends, getting to play a variety of characters and therefore build your skills, it’s not as much responsibility, and more!
Orsino: The passionate, multi-dimensional Duke of Illyria who makes up one third of the love triangle central to the plot of the show. Compassionate and understanding. Won’t take no for an answer. A fantastic challenge for an actor who wants to tap into their vulnerability. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography, mostly for comedic sake. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
Curio and Valentine: Members of Duke Orsino’s court who often act as a confidantes and messengers. These are great introductory roles for actors looking to dip their toe into Shakespeare or classical works. Open to any gender presentation.
Feste: Olivia’s fool and musician who’s wiser than they let on. Comes and goes between courts as they please. Actors interested in this role will be asked to sing a short selection of a common song, like “Happy Birthday.” This role is tons of fun! Open to any gender presentation.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek: A rich, but dimwitted suitor for Olivia and bumbling sidekick to Sir Toby belch. Cowardly and gullible. A wonderful role for a character actor. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography. Open to any gender presentation.
Olivia: A beautiful countess making up one-third of the love triangle central to the plot of the show. Mourning the recent and near simultaneous deaths of her father and brother, she has sworn off love for seven years. An incredible character arc demonstrating how love and laughter can overcome even the deepest of sorrows. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography, mostly for comedic sake. Open to female presenting actors or those willing to play female presenting.
Fabian: One of Olivia’s servants. A fellow prankster of Maria’s, Sir Toby’s, and Sir Andrew Aguecheck’s who develops a conscience when things take a step too far. This role is an awesome opportunity to play both comedic and dramatic moments. Open to any gender presentation.
Malvolio: A servant of Olivia’s who also secretly wishes to marry her. A stickler for the rules who becomes abrasive at times. Becomes the victim of an increasingly intense prank. This role is great chance for some physical comedy. Open to any gender presentation.
Maria: Olivia’s lady-in-waiting and Sir Toby’s romantic interest. Constantly trying to balance her boisterous friends with the law and order of her leadership position. Witty and bold, Maria is the mastermind behind the prank on Malvolio. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in some super light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. This character is a fabulous chance to play a strong woman. Open to female presenting actors were those willing to play female presenting.
Sir Toby Belch: Olivia‘s uncle and Mariah‘s romantic interest who just wants to party. Mischievous and humorous. This character is often an audience favorite. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography and may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
Sebastian: Viola’s twin who is believed to be dead after being separated from her during a shipwreck. Sebastian’s appearance causes a lot of the confusion and mistaken identity in the play. Goes on a beautiful journey from feeling lost and unsure to confident and assured. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography and may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
Antonio: A sea captain and loyal friend to Sebastian with a mysterious past. The actor playing this role may be included in some light fight choreography. A great role for someone who wants to live out their swashbuckling dreams. Open to any gender presentation.
Ensemble: Captain, First Officer, Second Officer, Servant, Priest, Sailors, Townspeople, etc. Open to anyone! Being in the ensemble is great for a lot of reasons - making new friends, spending time with old friends, getting to play a variety of characters and therefore build your skills, it’s not as much responsibility, and more!
Orsino: The passionate, multi-dimensional Duke of Illyria who makes up one third of the love triangle central to the plot of the show. Compassionate and understanding. Won’t take no for an answer. A fantastic challenge for an actor who wants to tap into their vulnerability. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography, mostly for comedic sake. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
Curio and Valentine: Members of Duke Orsino’s court who often act as a confidantes and messengers. These are great introductory roles for actors looking to dip their toe into Shakespeare or classical works. Open to any gender presentation.
Feste: Olivia’s fool and musician who’s wiser than they let on. Comes and goes between courts as they please. Actors interested in this role will be asked to sing a short selection of a common song, like “Happy Birthday.” This role is tons of fun! Open to any gender presentation.
Sir Andrew Aguecheek: A rich, but dimwitted suitor for Olivia and bumbling sidekick to Sir Toby belch. Cowardly and gullible. A wonderful role for a character actor. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography. Open to any gender presentation.
Olivia: A beautiful countess making up one-third of the love triangle central to the plot of the show. Mourning the recent and near simultaneous deaths of her father and brother, she has sworn off love for seven years. An incredible character arc demonstrating how love and laughter can overcome even the deepest of sorrows. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography, mostly for comedic sake. Open to female presenting actors or those willing to play female presenting.
Fabian: One of Olivia’s servants. A fellow prankster of Maria’s, Sir Toby’s, and Sir Andrew Aguecheck’s who develops a conscience when things take a step too far. This role is an awesome opportunity to play both comedic and dramatic moments. Open to any gender presentation.
Malvolio: A servant of Olivia’s who also secretly wishes to marry her. A stickler for the rules who becomes abrasive at times. Becomes the victim of an increasingly intense prank. This role is great chance for some physical comedy. Open to any gender presentation.
Maria: Olivia’s lady-in-waiting and Sir Toby’s romantic interest. Constantly trying to balance her boisterous friends with the law and order of her leadership position. Witty and bold, Maria is the mastermind behind the prank on Malvolio. The actor playing this role may be asked to participate in some super light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. This character is a fabulous chance to play a strong woman. Open to female presenting actors were those willing to play female presenting.
Sir Toby Belch: Olivia‘s uncle and Mariah‘s romantic interest who just wants to party. Mischievous and humorous. This character is often an audience favorite. The actor playing this role will be included in fight choreography and may be asked to participate in light, age appropriate intimacy choreography. Open to male presenting actors or those willing to play male presenting.
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2025 SEASON PRODUCTIONS
Shine . . . February 2025 Twelfth Night, Teen Production in collaboration with Creative Greensboro . . . March 2025 Hamlet . . . May & June 2025 Two Gentlemen of Verona . . . October 2025 ShakesCollage . . . Now Booking |
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are often needed for performance-related support such as ushers, parking lot assistants, and odd jobs like props and costumes work. If interested, please email [email protected]. |
ADMINISTRATIVE
There are no administrative job openings at this time. Please check back periodically for any changes. Occasional contract jobs will be offered for particular needs. |
