AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT – Shakespeare’s Hamlet

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Auditions are announced for The Milburn Stone Theatre at Cecil College’s January 2025 Production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 

 

Director: Karen Weaver, Stage Manager: Angela Meloni, MST Artistic Director: Andrew John Mitchell 

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Physical location for rehearsals and performances:

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The Milburn Stone Theatre, Cecil College, One Seahawk Drive, North East MD 21901 | Box Office Phone Number: (410) 287-1037

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Audition Dates:

There will be two auditions for Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Monday, September 23rd and Wednesday, September 25th. Auditions will take place between 7 - 9:30pm. Those auditioning can sign-up for a slot at https://us.cast98.com/shows/shakespeares-hamlet-2025-milburnstone or can arrive and sign-up during the first hour of auditions. 

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 Callbacks:

Callbacks for Shakespeare’s Hamlet will be held on Monday, September 30th from 7pm to 10pm, Callback notifications will be sent out by Friday, September 27th at 5pm. The callback process will consist of cold readings from the script.

 

Audition Preparation:

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The Director is encouraging those who are auditioning to prepare one of four monologues (please click here to access the monologues)

 

For Males/Male Presenting:

Egeus’ Monologue in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act One, Scene One) Starting with “Full of Vexation Come I, with complaint” to “Immediately provided in that case.” 

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Bassinio’s Monologue in The Merchant of Venice (Act Three, Scene Two) Starting with “So May the outward shows be least themselves” to “Hard Food for Midas, I will none of thee.” 

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For Females/Female Presenting: 

Miranda’s Monologue in The Tempest (Act One, Scene Two) Starting with “If by your heart, my dearest father” to “The Fraught Souls Within Her.” 

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Portia’s Monologue in Julius Caesar (Act Two, Scene One) Starting with “Is Brutus Sick?” to “Even From Darkness.” 

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Physical copies of these monologues will also be available at the theatre on nights of auditions as well, but memorization/familiarization of one of these pieces is encouraged. 

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Rehearsals/Performances:

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Rehearsal for Shakespeare’s Hamlet will begin in late September. Rehearsals will be based on both performer and production staff availability, so please submit all known conflicts at the time of auditions. The Milburn Stone Theatre traditionally rehearses between 2 to 4 times a week. Tech dates for Shakespeare’s Hamlet will be held on January 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, no conflicts will be accepted for these tech dates.

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Please note: Cecil College will be closed on the following dates:

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* November 26th at 5pm through December 2nd at 7am in Observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday 

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* December 24th at 5pm through January 2nd at 7am in Observation of the Winter Holidays/New Years

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Performances for Shakespeare’s Hamlet will begin on Friday, January 24th with performances on January 25th & 26th. Friday and Saturday night performances take place at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees take place at 2pm.

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There is a possibility of an added school matinee on Monday, January 27th at 10am. Cast and crew will be notified in December if this performances will not be held. 

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Please note: The Milburn Stone Theatre is a community Theatre on a college campus, our productions are open to the entire community, not just Cecil College Students, Faculty and Staff. This production is non-paid/non-union

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Shakespeare’s Hamlet Casting Breakdown:

All roles are available.  In addition, The Milburn Stone Theatre is committed to Cecil College’s principles of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and encourages performers of all ethnicities, races, backgrounds, genders, and ages to audition, ages are estimates and are in no way limitations to those considered for these roles. 

 

• Hamlet (25 to 35 years of age) - The protagonist of the tragedy, Hamlet is a beloved prince and a thoughtful, melancholy young man. Distraught by his father’s death, Hamlet is only made more depressed by his uncle Claudius’ succession to the throne and his subsequent marriage to his mother. When the ghost of the king, Hamlet’s father, tells him that he was murdered by his brother, Claudius, and that Hamlet must avenge him, Hamlet becomes almost suicidal and obsessed with revenge. He is slowly driven mad by his inability to act on this instruction.

 

• Ophelia (20 to 30 years of age) - A young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes, and at times courted by Prince Hamlet. She is obedient, agreeable, and maidenly, but ends up in a state of depression-driven madness due to Hamlet’s actions and the death of her father. 

 

• Horatio (25 to 35 years of age) - Hamlet’s best friend from University, a scholar, an advisor and voice of reason to the Prince. He is sound in his thinking and logical in his approach to everything, although his deep loyalty and love for Hamlet is of emotion, not thought. 

 

• Claudius (50 to 65 years of age) - Claudius, the play's antagonist, is the king of Denmark and Hamlet’s uncle. He is a conniving strategist who poisoned his own brother in cold blood so that he could claim the throne. He remains calculating throughout the play, driven by his ambition and lust. When he realizes that Hamlet is not mad as he originally believed, and in fact poses a threat to his crown, Claudius quickly begins to plot Hamlet's death.

 

• Gertrude (45 to 60 years of age) - Gertrude is the queen of Denmark and Hamlet’s mother. She was originally married to Hamlet’s father, the dead king, but has now married the new king, Claudius, her former brother-in-law. Gertrude is rather weak and unable to match wits in an argument, but her love for her son remains strong despite the mired conflict between the two of them.

 

• Polonius (50 to 65 years) - Father to Laertes and Ophelia, counselor in the court of Claudius and Gertrude, he dispenses advice to the King and Queen.  He is deemed the “comic relief” of the play due to his complete lack of self-awareness in thinking he is wise and knowledgeable when he is anything but.

 

• Laertes (22 to 30 years of age) - Son of Polonius, brother to Ophelia, he is a loyal citizen of the kingdom, a master swordsman, and ostensibly a man of honor. He holds his family dearly and blames Hamlet for their deaths which sets him on a path of retribution.

 

• The Ghost (50 to 65 years of age) - The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father (also known as King Hamlet) appears in only a few scenes. His presence is primarily the vehicle that drives the plot as his spectral instruction to his son, Prince Hamlet, is to avenge his death at the hands of his brother, Claudius.

 

• Rosencrantz (25 to 35 years of age) - Rosencrantz is a University mate and friend of Hamlet who is asked by the King to spy on the Prince in order to figure out the cause of his madness. He is rather spineless, obedient, and self-serving, and not nearly intelligent or savvy enough to fool Hamlet.

 

•  Guildenstern (25 to 35 years of age) - Gildenstern is a University mate and friend of Hamlet who is asked by the King to spy on the Prince in order to figure out the cause of his madness. He is rather spineless, obedient, and self-serving, and not nearly intelligent or savvy enough to fool Hamlet.

 

• Francisco (18 to 30 years of age) - Francisco is a sentry of the Castle Elsinore and one of the first characters to encounter King Hamlet’s ghost. Francisco will also appear in scenes with the Court.

 

• Barnardo (18 to 30 years of age) - Barnardo is a sentry of the Castle Elsinore and one of the first characters to encounter King Hamlet’s ghost. Barnardo will also appear in scenes with the Court.

 

• Marcellus (25 to 40 years of age) - Marcellus is a sentry of the Castle Elsinore and the first to alert Horatio as to the appearance of King Hamlet’s ghost. Marcellus will also appear in scenes with the Court.

 

• Gravedigger 1 (30+ years of age) - The unnamed sexton tasked with digging Ophelia’s grave who unearths Yorick’s skull. The Gravedigger will also appear in some of the scenes with the Court.

 

• Osric (age 18+) - Osric is the courtier sent by Claudius to invite Hamlet to participate in the duel with Laertes. Osric will also appear in some of the scenes with the Court.

 

• Player King (25 to 40 years of age) - The Player King is the leader of the troupe of touring actors. In the "play within a play", he takes the part of the king who is murdered. Player King will also appear in some of the scenes with the Court.

 

• Player Queen (25 to 40 years of age) - Part of the troupe of touring actors who stage the “play within a play”. Can be male or female. Player Queen will also appear in some of the scenes with the Court.

 

• Third Player (20 to 40 years of age) - Part of the troupe of touring actors who stage the “play within a play”. Portrays the role similar to Claudius and kills the fictitious king by pouring poison into his ear. Third Player will also appear in some of the scenes with the Court.

 

• The Court (20 + years of age) - Eight to ten ensemble members for the opening scene, as audience for the “play within a play”, mourners, other players, executioner, and spectators of the duel.

 

Additionally, the Director is also creating two roles in the outside world of the show to act as Narrators to describe the action and world of the show throughout the production. They will act as a “Student” and “Tutor”and will periodically break down the story and offer clarification on plot points as the audience eavesdrops on the conversations. Ideally, these roles would be for upper high school/college age actors with no gender specificity. For those interested in these parts, we would like you to audition with a 2-3 minute synopsis of Hamlet such as a tutor would begin the session with a student.

 

About Shakespeare’s Hamlet:

 

Shakespeare's Hamlet

January 24, 25, 26

Friday and Saturday Evening Performances at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2pm

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Sponsored by Aireserve Heating and Air Conditioning

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By William Shakespeare

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Classic Drama | Recommended for ages 13+ due to adult content.

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Arguably the greatest play in the western canon makes its triumphant return to the Milburn Stone Theatre

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Enter the haunting world of Shakespeare's masterpiece, 'Hamlet,' where tragedy, treachery, and the timeless quest for truth collide in a gripping tale of power and revenge. Prince Hamlet, mourning the untimely death of his father, is thrust into a web of deceit when he learns of his uncle's nefarious plot to seize the throne. As ghosts haunt the castle halls and secrets unravel, Hamlet grapples with the weight of his own morality, torn between duty and desire. With iconic soliloquies, unforgettable characters, and themes of betrayal, madness, and the complexity of the human condition, 'Hamlet' remains one of the most enduring works of English literature. Experience the drama, intrigue, and raw emotion of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy in a production that will

leave you breathless and questioning the very essence of existence.