Auditions “Merry Wives of Windsor” by appointment

Shakespeare’s raucous, bawdy comedy concerns Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, two middle-class, middle-aged housewives who are pursued by the roguish Sir John Falstaff.  Falstaff plans to woo both of them, as a way of getting their husbands’ money.  But Falstaff doesn’t reckon with the fury of women insulted.  Punishment is in the air!  There are roles for 14 men, 4 women, 1 boy (speaking role) and assorted children.  Some roles may be gender-bent.  British accents requested.   One character has a French accent, another Welsh.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre will be holding auditions for an outdoor production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” by William Shakespeare.

Auditions are by appointment only on February 12 & 13, 2024 at:

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre
201 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432
www.BicentennialPark.org

Craig Gustafson is directing the show.  Gustafson recently won the Broadway World – Chicago award as Best Director of 2023 for his production of “America’s Sexiest Couple.”  Other shows include “Taming of the Shrew,” “Noises Off,” “The Producers,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Rumors,” “Waiting for Godot” and “Silent Laughter.”

The process is as follows:

To schedule an appointment, please e-mail loveandteargas@gmail.com.  Please state your name and which day (Monday, February 12 or Tuesday, February 13) you would like to audition.  Attaching a headshot and resume is acceptable but not required. Audition sides will be sent to you when your appointment is scheduled.

1. Actors will be assigned a call time in half hour intervals, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday.
2. You will spend up to half an hour reading both scenes with other actors.
3. Then you go home. Your total time expenditure at the audition will be a little over half an hour. Get there about ten minutes early to fill out forms and such.
4. Those cast or called back will be called by noon on Wednesday. Actors who are not cast or called back will be contacted by e-mail.
5. Children: Boys auditioning for Robin will be seen in the first hour each evening, along with adults. If you are cast and have children who would like to be in the show, or if you don’t want to be onstage but have children who do – e-mail the director. A maximum of ten children will be cast.

There will be an eight-week rehearsal period beginning March 25.

Performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” are May 18 & 19, 2024. Shows are Saturday at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Craig at loveandteargas@gmail.com.