We Are Theatre Audition Guide: Titus Andronicus Direction: Greg Taber Email:
[email protected] Introduction Thank you for auditioning for Titus Andronicus. In brief, I am looking to create something special, or to fail spectacularly trying to. I look forward to working with you. Please contact me if you have any questions or need any clarification. Background I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Southern California (Class of 1988). I have acted locally for a number of companies on and off since 1982. I am founder, with wife Lisa, of Theatre Ventoux. Acting, directing and producing credits include: A Few Good Men, This Flattering Glass (an adaptation of Richard II), Childe Byron, King Lear, 12 Angry Men, Trio, ‘night, Mother, An Actor Prepares, Antigone, The Pillowman, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Henry V, Macbeth, Richard III, Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I continue a 30 year fascination with and study of acting, performing, and theatre through my work with WSF and this production. I am beyond looking forward to what's about to happen…whatever it turns out to be. The Production As a starting point and something of an orientation to the basic plot and character descriptions, consult playshakespeare.com, but do not get too locked into those perceptions. Specific to this production, Titus is the story of a man whose world disintegrates around him until he can no longer make sense of it. In the end, he is driven to insanity and despair. In this sense, it is a proto-Lear, but, unlike Lear, Titus’ end is not a great tragic fall into redemption. Rather, it is a bleak, absurd stumble into meaningless death. While I have very definite ideas about who everyone is and how everything plays out, at this point I’m more interested in what my actors bring to bear on the production; characterizations and the story itself will evolve in rehearsals. I will say that I am not looking to put up something entirely naturalistic: minimal set and props, unit costumes emblematic of who people are, stylized violence. Everything will need to be believable; it will not need to be naturalistic. So, come in entirely open or with very strong ideas, just be ready and willing to go where the show needs you to go and do what the show needs you to do. If you’re not, this is not the place for you. Note that the play contains very graphic violence and sexual content. Please be sure that, as a performer, you are comfortable with that, especially if you are interested in the roles of Chiron, Demetrius, Aaron, or Lavinia. Auditions In Generals, I am looking for a willingness to fail, a facility with language, a hint of emotion, a very large dose of character, and a touch of presence. I am looking for performance possibilities, so it doesn’t matter what “type” you are or what monologue you audition with, only what you do with it. Choose something that will show you at your best. Regardless of what you do, make bold, decisive choices. Be smart. Be prepared. Be fearless. Callbacks will be structured as a series of acting exercises culminating in a short monologue and scene performance. The exercises will serve to prepare you for the performance and will also give me insight into your skillsets, limits, boundaries, flexibility, and partnering. There will be nothing to prepare, I just need you to be there on time with an open mind, a willingness to play, and a drive to be wonderful.
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