CHARACTERS & DESCRIPTIONS​

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NICK BOTTOM: Our protagonist, Nick is a struggling playwright, Nigel’s older brother, married to Bea. He is hidden in the shadow of the Bard, AKA William Shakespeare. For this role, we are seeking a great comedic actor that sings and dances very well.

Vocal Range: Baritone

Singing: Many songs

Dialogue: A lot

Dancing: A LOT, including tap dancing

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of NICK in one of these scenes: "Nick & Nigel" or "Nostradamus & Nick"

 

NIGEL BOTTOM: Nigel, Nick’s younger brother, is a poet and playwright. He is sweet, nervous, somewhat clumsy, and a little awkward, but he is an excellent poet and believes in being true to yourself. 

Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone

Singing: Many songs

Dialogue: A lot

Dancing: Some

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of NIGEL in one of these scenes: "Nick & Nigel" or “Nigel & Portia.”

 

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Over-the-top and extremely cocky, Shakespeare is the rock star of his time. He loves all the praise and attention from his adoring fans, but he dislikes the work that goes into keeping his famous. He speaks in a British accent.

Vocal Range: Baritone

Singing: Many songs

Dialogue: A lot

Dancing: Some, including Tap Dancing

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of SHAKESPEARE in the scene: "Shakespeare & Nick/Nigel"

 

BEA: Nick’s wife, she loves him despite his lack of success. Bea is a very strong and confident woman who knows that it’s up to her to take care of her husband instead of the other way around. She disguises herself as a man to get a job and support her family.

Vocal Range: Mezzo-Soprano

Singing: A few songs

Dialogue: Quite a bit

Dancing: None

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of BEA in the scene: "Bea & Nick"

 

NOSTRADAMUS: A soothsayer, he predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Throughout the show, he has visions of future musicals. 

Vocal Range: Baritone

Singing: A few songs

Dialogue: Quite a bit

Dancing: Some, including Tap Dancing

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of NOSTRADAMUS in the scene: "Nostradamus & Nick"

 

PORTIA: The daughter of Brother Jeremiah, a Puritan, she loves poetry and theater even though her father disapproves. 

Vocal Range: Soprano

Singing: A few songs

Dialogue: Quite a bit

Dancing: Some

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of PORTIA in the scene: "Nigel & Portia"

  

SHYLOCK: An older Jewish man, he becomes an investor in the Bottom Brothers’ musical.

Vocal Range: Baritone

Singing: Minimal

Dialogue: Some

Dancing: Minimal

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of SHYLOCK in the scene: "Nick & Shylock"

 

BROTHER JEREMIAH: A Puritan and the father of Portia, Brother Jeremiah despises Nick and Nigel (well, he despises all playwrights, poets, and artists of any sort).

Vocal Range: Bass

Singing: One song

Dialogue: Some

Dancing: Minimal

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the Brother Jeremiah monologue.

 

LORD CLAPHAM: An older man, he is a Patron of the Theater. Flamboyant and extremely posh, he folds under pressure when the Bottom Brothers fail to produce a new play of quality. He speaks in a British accent.

Vocal Range: Bass

Singing: Minimal

Dialogue: Some

Dancing: Minimal

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of SHAKESPEARe in the scene “Shakespeare & Nick/Nigel.”

 

MINSTREL: A Renaissance singer who opens each act with a sung narrative.

Vocal Range: Baritone

Singing: Two songs

Dialogue: None

Dancing: Some

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of SHAKESPEARE in the scene “Shakespeare & Nick/Nigel.”

 

ROBIN: A member of the Bottom Brothers’ theater troupe, Robin is a man who is always chosen to play the female roles (since it was illegal in the Renaissance for women to appear onstage).

Vocal Range: Tenor

Singing: A few songs

Dialogue: Some

Dancing: A lot

If you would like to audition for this part, please read the part of NICK in the scene: "NICK & SHYLOCK"

 

Members of the Bottom Brothers’ Theater Troupe: Several man who act in the Bottom Brothers’ plays.

Vocal Range: Tenor/Baritone/Bass

Singing: Many songs

Dialogue: Some

Dancing: A lot

If you would like to audition for these roles, please read the part of NICK or NIGEL in the scene: "Nick & Nigel"

 

Female & Male Ensemble: Townspeople in London during the Renaissance!

Singing: A lot

Dancing: A lot