Gallery Players is holding auditions for its upcoming production of Something Rotten: book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick, music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Director, Mark Gallagher. Producer, Catherine Cosentino. Non-Equity only, submit by March 2.
The show runs May 3-18 for a total of 13 performances. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings with additional matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Rehearsals start March 21 and will be held evenings and weekends at the theater (199 14th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn).
We are striving to create an inclusive cast and invite anyone to audition regardless of ethnicity, race, physical attribute, gender expression, sexual orientation, age and ability. Please note that character gender expressions and age presentations below are suggested as a starting point and characters can be adjusted as needed for the sake of our casting.
There is a stipend of one payment of $100.
Audition Information:
Actors should prepare and email:
- a headshot and resume;
- a song (2 minutes max) in the style of the show or from the show (vocal reels or cuts of a song are acceptable);
- a 1-1½ minute comedic monologue;
- a dance reel/video (tap is encouraged, if available).
All submissions must be received by 11:59PM on Sunday, March 2.
Please send your song, monologue, and dance reel, plus a resume and headshot to the producer at: info@galleryplayers.com
Callbacks will be held in-person at the theater on Thursday, March 13 from 4-9pm and on Sunday, March 16 from noon-8pm. All actors called back for NICK BOTTOM, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, NOSTRADAMUS, and ENSEMBLE will be taught a tap combination at callbacks.
Character Breakdown:
- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (male presenting, mid-20s to 30s presenting, high baritone/tenor, tap experience a plus): Yes: The Bard! A witty, swaggering narcissist who walks through life like a smoldering Renaissance rock star (a la a young Mick Jagger). Previously an actor with Nick’s company, Shakespeare proudly lords his success over Nick while being enamored of (and not above pinching) his brother Nigel’s brilliant writing. Vocal range – top: Ab4/bottom: Ab2.
- NICK BOTTOM (male presenting, mid-20s to mid-40s presenting, baritone, tap experience a plus): a frustrated, struggling Renaissance writer at his wit’s end in trying to find success and trapped in Shakespeare’s shadow. Passionate, highly competitive yet loveable and goes to great lengths with the Soothsayer’s “prophecy” to overtake The Bard by writing the world’s first musical. Nigel’s older brother and Bea’s husband. Vocal range – top: G4/bottom: A2
- NIGEL BOTTOM (male presenting, early 20s to 30s presenting, high baritone/tenor): Nick’s sweet, humble and sincere but anxious younger brother. As the poet of Nick’s acting troupe, he writes brilliantly but insecurely from his heart and only gains confidence after falling in love with the puritan, Portia. Vocal range – top: A4/bottom: Eb3
- BEA BOTTOM (female presenting, mid-20s to early-40s presenting, alto/mezzo soprano belter): Nick’s charismatic, determined and progressive wife. She loves Nick despite his floundering and tries to help their financially struggling family by going to work dressed up as a man to prove she can be the caretaker in this rigidly gender-defined era. Vocal range – top: D5/bottom: D3
- PORTIA (female presenting, early 20s to 30s presenting, soprano): a bright, young Puritan woman who can’t extinguish her passion for poetry, theatre and, ultimately, Nigel. A determined and romantic dreamer. Vocal range – top: F#5/bottom: G3
- NOSTRADAMUS (any gender presenting, 40s-60s presenting, music written for baritone): a soothsayer who can predict the future…almost. Clueless at times, wise at others. Tap experience is a plus, but not required.
- BROTHER JEREMIAH (male presenting, 40s-60s presenting, baritone): Portia’s father. A tightly-wound Puritan who despises plays, playwrights, all things “ungodly” and thinks Nick and Nigel’s work is utterly sinful. Vocal range – top: G4/bottom: G3
- SHYLOCK (any gender presenting, 40s-60s presenting, may also double as Ensemble member): An investor/money lender whose secret passion is theatre and to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt.
- MINSTREL/S: (any gender presenting, any age presenting, Minstrel/s doubles as Ensemble member/s): sets the stage in “Welcome to the Renaissance” (at the top of Acts 1 & 2) for the thrilling artistic era in which the show is set. Vocal range – top: A4/bottom: C#3
- ENSEMBLE: (any gender presenting, any age presenting): strong and dynamic singers, dancers (strong tappers will be featured in select musical numbers) and actors with range to play such roles as the Minstrel/s, Shakespeare’s and Nick’s acting troupe members, Renaissance playwrights, Lord/Lady Clapham, Shakespeare’s groupies, the “Bard Boys,” Puritans, Astrologers, Elizabethan Londoners, etc.
Something Rotten!
Hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years,” Something Rotten is an outrageous musical that was lauded by audience members and critics alike. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s first musical. Something Rotten is both a love letter to musical theatre and a comedic send-up of the genre. Bringing the very best elements of musicals together—over-the-top characters, razzle-dazzle song-and-dance numbers, self-referential comedy, and a love story—Something Rotten is something special. With show-stopping numbers and laugh-out-loud comedy, it proves that “nothing’s as amazing as a musical!”
Gallery Players is located at 199 14th Street in Brooklyn. Take the F, G, or R train to Fourth Avenue / 9th Street.