’18 AMND–Male Auditions – Starlight Theatre Co. of Las Cruces

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Auditions

Audition Sides—Male Roles

Audition Requirements

We still need two males, age 15-22.

Workshop not required. Just call or text: 575-312-7623

Scroll down to “Audition Sides–Male Principal Roles”

Roles: Theseus, Demetrius

Scholarships available!

Learn sides for the role you are interested in (scroll down to “Male Principal Roles.”) (No time to memorize? You may read the sides for your audition.)
Your choice of lines to memorize will not limit you from being considered for other roles.

Male Principal Roles

Male Principal Roles—Character Descriptions

THESEUS—
Duke of Athens, Theseus is betrothed to Hippolyta (queen of the Amazons) whom he defeated in battle, and is now going to marry her. Theseus must be a strong leader, able to engage in swordplay, and able to act in romantic scenes. Theseus should be played by someone 15-19 years old.

BOTTOM—Bottom is one of the Mechanicals. He is a self-absorbed, confident man who demands center stage. His head is magically exchanged for a donkey head, as he is used to taunt Oberon’s wife, Titania. He temporarily becomes Titania’s lover, and he enjoys being doted on by her servant fairies. His role requires excellent comic timing. Bottom must have excellent comic timing and should be played by someone 15-19 years old.

DEMETRIUS—
Demetrius is an Athenian Nobleman who is an inconstant lover (after wooing Helena and winning her heart, he changes to Hermia). Though he is more proper than Lysander, his emotions are strong and played in full force. Demetrius should be an excellent actor who is able to engage in a sword fight and should be played by someone 15-19 years old.

LYSANDER—
Lysander is a romantic Athenian who is from a wealthy family. He is a bit more flippant than Demetrius, and certainly not the kind of young man that a mother would trust with her daughter. However, he is a constant lover who will risk death, by Athenian law, to marry Hermia, whom he loves. But when put under the spell of a love potion, he can be cruel in his mocking of Hermia, and overboard in his “love” for Helena. Lysander should be should be an excellent actor who is able to engage in a sword fight. He should be played by someone 15-19 years old.

PUCK—
Puck is a Oberon’s jester. Puck, through mischief or through confusion, creates a bit of chaos in the human world as his love potions go awry, and he changes Bottom’s head to that of a donkey. Puck is a master of magic and of voices and delights in the chaos that he creates. Puck delivers the famous closing remarks of the play. Puck must be an excellent actor with excellent comic timing. He may be played by either a male or female and should be significantly smaller than Oberon.

OBERON—
Oberon is King of the Fairies and Titania’s husband. He is royal in demeanor and accustomed to being obeyed. He expects obedience from everyone—including his wife. Oberon attempts to force Titania into submission by humiliating her into falling in love with a donkey. But Oberon is also a tender-hearted fairy and tries to help a broken-hearted Helena through the magical powers of love potion. Oberon should be played by someone 15-19 year old.

Click for Audition Sides—Male Principal Roles (right-click to download pdf)

Audition Sides—Male Supporting Roles

Click for AMND Male Roles available

We’re looking for:*

• 1 small boy, non-speaking role, lightweight enough to be carried by Titania (Changeling Boy)

• 10 males or females aged 9-19, who dance/martial arts; singing preferred for females, (Fairies:Nightshade, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Woodbine, Cobweb, Peaseblossom, Moth, Mustardseed)

• 6 comedic males or females aged 12-19 (Puck, Flute, Starveling, Snout, Snug, Philostrate)

• 6-7 males aged 15-19 (Oberon, Demetrius, Lysander, Theseus, Egeus, Quince, Bottom)

* Note: any of these roles has the possibility of singing, if the conditions are right, and the actor would like to, but only the female fairies are required to sing.

Click for Male Supporting Roles—Character Descriptions

MALE FAIRIES—
The Male Fairy Chorus is a group of young men who are full of mischief who wander the forests outside of Athens. They serve as the guards for Oberon, the King of the Fairies. They assist Puck in his errands of mischief.
Nightshade—a member of Oberon’s army, he is full of mischief and attends Puck in his/her errands.
Hemlock—a member of Oberon’s army, he is full of mischief and attends Puck in his/her errands.
Woodbine—a member of Oberon’s army, he is full of mischief and attends Puck in his/her errands.
Wolfsbane:—Captain in Oberon’s army. He is wary and observant and sees to it that order is kept among Oberon’s troops.
Puck—See Principal Characters
Oberon—See Principal Characters
Requirements: Dancing, martial arts, or gymnastic ability is a plus, but not necessary.
Songs: Male fairies may sing, if voices are still soprano/alto, but it is not required.

EGEUS—
Hermia’s father, Egeus is a domineering man who insists that his daughter marries Demetrius, rather than Lysander, whom she loves. Egeus may also be played by a female (as Hermia’s mother).

PHILOSTRATE—
Philostrate is Master of the Revels for Theseus. He is a very astute person who seems one of the wisest in the play. Philostrate should have good comic timing and may be played by a female.

MECHANICALS—Comedians
The Mechanicals are a group of bumbling craftsmen and craftswomen who endeavor to prepare a play to perform on Theseus’ wedding day. Their play is a comedic disaster that provides entertainment and merriment to the wedding party. All but Bottome roles may be either played by females or males.

BOTTOM (weaver)—See Principal Roles
QUINCE (carpenter): Quince is the leader of the Mechanicals. He/She is bossy and impatient while trying to direct rehearsals and the final performance of the play.
FLUTE (bellows-mender)—A rough-hewn person who must play a lady in Quince’s awkward play.
SNOUT (tinker), a cautious person, plays the wall in Quince’s awkward play.
STARVELING (tailor) is a rather impatient person who is not afraid to speak up and plays “moonshine” in Quince’s awkward play.
SNUG (joiner): is tender-hearted person who plays the lion in Quince’s awkward play, so he won’t have to learn lines, but only roar.
Requirements for all Mechanicals: Good comedic timing.
Song: The mechanicals might sing, depending on the results of the audition.

Click for Special Skills

See bottom of this page for special skills that we’re looking for in our “A Midsummer Night’s Dream Actors”

• Playing portable instruments (rhythm/musical)

• Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Martial Arts, Sword fighting, Dancing, Juggling, etc.

Audition Sides—Male Supporting Roles

Right click to download the pdf file.

Fairy Audition Song and

Special Skills Audition Materials

Fairy song for boys with soprano/alto voices who would like to sing.
The accompaniment provided here will also be provided at auditions.

The audition song is not required of any males who audition.

Fairy Audition Song Sample

Fairy Audition Song Score

Fairy Audition Song Piano Lead

Fairy Audition Song Accompaniment

Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Dance Music

Mechanicals Audition Song (“The Matter Song”) (Optional)

If you wish to sing, prepare only one verse for auditions (see “Lyrics” to choose your verse). Choose the one that has lyrics that are easiest for you to sing. If you need a piano/vocal score, there is one provided for each of the verses.

Caution! Lines 2, 3, & 4 in the first verse don’t match the lyrics in the recorded sample, so don’t learn those lines from the recording—Please refer to the vocal score or lyrics sheet.

You don’t need to sing well because the Mechanicals are comic characters. Actually, you don’t need to sing at all—this is optional and only for those who really love to sing. Your casting in the show will not depend on whether/not you sang for auditions.

Speed
The song is known for its speed, not the vocal quality of the singers. Indeed, the vocal range is so large, that you might find the upper/lower end difficult to reach. If so, just speak those words, or, chant the whole thing to the proper rhythm, if you’re not a singer. Because “it really doesn’t matter”.

For learning the song, we provide a “Slow for learning” accompaniment version, and an “Intermediate Tempo” version to help you get up to speed.

About the Song
This song is from another show, and after changing three lines, it fits the Mechanical’s character, style, and temperament, AND it’s a fun song! Why does it fit? Because the Mechanicals often fear they will be killed for doing something wrong when they present their play to Theseus. This song talks about having to die tomorrow by the sword or by the dagger (which also fits the Pyramus and Thisby play!)

Matter Song Sample

Matter Song Lyric Sheet

Matter Song Score—Verse 1

Matter Song Score—Verse 2

Matter Song Score—Verse 3

Matter Song Accomp—Proper Tempo

Matter Song Accomp—Intermediate Tempo

Matter Song Accomp—Slow for learning

Special Skills

Dance or gymnastics skills—Prepare a routine using the song below.

Mendelssohn’s "Scherzo"

Special Skills

If you play a portable instrument (drum, bongos, violin, viola, flute, clarinet, guitar, use, etc.) prepare to play it at auditions.

Applies to Fairies, Mechanicals, Lovers, Philostrate.

Special Skills

If you have physical skills, such as juggling, or swordfighting, be prepared to demonstrate these skills during auditions.

Find your vocal range at left. Note that each octave is numbered, with middle C being C4.

Numbering of each successively higher octave begins at “C.”

Helpful Links

AUDITION HEADQUARTERS—For Production Dates, Tuition, etc.

DIALECT/ACCENT OVERVIEW—http://dialectblog.com/british-accents/
Caution–some links on this page lead to people using bad language—monitor your child’s use of the links within this link.
All other skills being equal, we will select the actor with the most appropriate accent. For most, the “Received Pronunciation (see link above) is the best bet, but some sailors may use a lower-class accent (see link above).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Auditions

Audition Requirements

We still need two males, age 15-22.

Male Principal Roles

Audition Sides—Male Supporting Roles

We’re looking for:*

Fairy Audition Song and

Special Skills Audition Materials

Mechanicals Audition Song (“The Matter Song”) (Optional)

Helpful Links

Starlight Theatre Company of Las Cruces