Auditions

Registration opens at 10:30AM, where the director will give first round of instructions and earlybirds can get monologues out of the way. Actors can show up any time between 10:30AM-1PM. (If you come at 1PM, be prepared to stay at least until 2:00PM. If you come early, you might be able to leave early.)

 

PREPARATION: 1-minute (comedic or dramatic) monologue that either showcases your ability to express extreme emotion OR one that best represents your personality. You can also refrain from doing a monologue. The director will facilitate cold readings and group activities in between monologues. Be brave! Fight for your role! ALL are welcome!

Auditions for Rhinoceros are

Saturday, March 8th from 11:00AM-2:00PM.

NOTE: Rehearsals do not begin until April. The director is casting early, so actors can familiarize themselves with this beast of a play, research, and work on character development.

Preparation: Registration opens at 10:30AM. Prepare a 1-minute monologue (optional) that showcases your ability to express extreme emotion OR one that best represents your true personality or soul. The director will facilitate cold readings and group activities in between monologues. Be brave! Fight for your role! All are welcome!

GENERAL PLOT: A pleasant town descends into chaos when inhabitants lose their individuality and transform into beasts with a herd mentality.

PLOT FROM THE ANTI-HERO’S PERSPECTIVE: A lovable alcoholic struggles with purpose as everyone around him loses their individuality, beckoning him to join a demonic movement.

GENRE: Theatre of the Absurd – a theatrical movement that depicts the absurdity of human existence. It emerged in Europe in the 1940s and ’50s. Ionesco’s Rhinoceros was a response to the rise of fascism in Nazi Germany.

CHARACTERS: In this new vision of Ionesco’s characters, traits are suggested below with anticipated arcs. Within the world of the play, all characters exist within sudden and extreme circumstances, in acute contrast to the placid lives they have always lived.

AVAILABLE ROLES:

BERENGER: A lovable “Everyman.” Introspective. Polite. Trustworthy. Eager. Uncomfortable. Vulnerable. Embarrassed. / Frustrated. Infuriated. Terrified. / Steady. Brave. Invincible. Righteous. Victorious.

 

JEAN: Posh. Sexy. Refined. Intelligent. Intimidating. / Belligerent. Brutish. / Horrifying. Demonic. Violent.

 

DAISY: Innocent. Sweet. Helpful. / Administrative. Professional. Adorable. / Charismatic. Sensual. Irresistible. / Vexatious. Abrasive. Cruel.

 

LOGICIAN: Cerebral. Established. Pretentious. Unwavering. / Abandoned. Euphoric. (will either be played by a precocious child or a distinguished man)

 

OLD MAN / YOUNG CHILD: Following. / Judging. (played by either a child or an older man)

 

HOUSEWIFE WITH CAT: Wealthy. Blissful. Influential. Privileged. / Hysterical. Suicidal.

 

DUDARD: Preppy. Corporate. Medium. Safe. / Pining. Nervous. / Disappointed. Resigned.

 

MR. PAPPILON: Harsh. Stiff. Overbearing. Boxy. Decisive. / Retired. Free.

 

MRS. BEOFF: Frumpy. Anguished. Needy. / Hopeful. Determined. / Liberated.

 

BOTARD: Cynical. Calculating. Skeptical. Antagonistic. / Regretful. Passionate.

 

ENSEMBLE: (A strong group of versatile actors)

Waitress. Shop owner. First Responders. Leaders. Activists. Soldiers. Criminals. Rhinoceroses.

 

LINKS TO LEARN MORE:

General Notes – https://www.sparknotes.com/drama/rhinoceros/summary/

Literary Analysis – https://www.litcharts.com/lit/rhinoceros

Absurdist Theatre – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ7w2I83ba4