Audition Details

How to audition in person

• You will be able to sign up to audition starting at 5:30pm at the reception desk located in the Theatre, Film and Media Arts Bldg., 4^th floor. People will be seen in the order they signed up. We start promptly at 6:00pm. 
• PLEASE NOTE: the cut-off time for signing up for an in-person audition is 6:30pm.

How to audition via recorded video submission

• If you are unable to join us for an In-Person audition, we are also accepting recorded video submissions through September 26^th at 4pm. This is a firm deadline.  
• Please limit your video submission to 3 minutes maximum. This time limit includes your slate: (your name, name of play and character of the piece you will be performing.)
• Please upload your video audition to YouTube, Vimeo or similar video sharing site and provide a link for viewing. Please do not share via WeTransfer, Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud or other file sharing platform.
• Please send the link to your video submission directly to Sherée Greco at Greco.73@osu.edu along with headshot and resume (if you have them) in JPG/PNG and PDF formats, respectively by September 26^th @ 4pm.  Once video is received, Sherée will send an audition form to you via email for you to complete and return.
• Resumes/headshots must be saved with your name: Example: SGreco_Headshot.pdf

Material for both in person audition and recorded video submission

• Please prepare 1 monologue (in the style of the play) no more than 3 minutes in length.

Callback notices

• Will be announced via email Friday, 9/27/24 after auditions have concluded. They will be emailed directly to all who auditioned. It is the student’s responsibility to check their email for the callback notices.
• Callbacks will occur in person on Sunday, September 29^th at 10:00am.

Final cast list and enrollment

• Cast List will be emailed during the week of Monday, September 30th to all who were called-back.
• If cast, you will be enrolled in THEATRE 4000.08 for 3 credit hours
• If you decide to decline your role, you need to email the director and Greco.73@osu.edu .

***AFTER READING ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, you may send additional audition process questions to the Production Manager, Sherée Greco: greco.73@osu.edu. 

Any questions regarding monologue choice should be emailed to the Director – Claudia Wier.66.

What if I'm not available on the audition date?

• Submit a video audition instead.

Is there a script I can read prior to auditions?

• Yes! You can read the script by clicking this link: Orlando October 6 2023_for universities.pdf

Do you have any tips for setting up the camera for a recorded video submission?

• Please set up your device (smartphone, laptop, camera) so there is a clear and centered view of at least your upper body, hands, and face as you perform. Make sure you don't move out of the frame! You may have your device vertical or horizontal, whichever you think captures a better overall view.
• Ideas for holding the device: a music stand, a chair with a pile of books, 2-3 plastic storage bins stacked up. Try to have the device at eye level with you, or as close as possible. Sometimes, the sound quality is better if the device is on something soft--like a pillow or blanket. If all else fails, you could have another person hold the device for you.
• Make sure you can be heard. We suggest recording a test and then playback to make sure your volume is not too soft.

Current Schedule

• Rehearsals begin as early as January 6^th, 2025.  Rehearsals will take place M-F 6:30pm – 10:30pm and potentially Saturdays or Sundays each week up to 5 hours. 
• Tech/Dress Rehearsals: Monday, March 24^th through March 31^st, 6:00pm-10:30pm during the week and 11:30am-5:00pm on weekends
• 7 Performance dates – April 2^nd – 5^th @ 7:30pm; April 8^th – April 10^th @ 7:30pm
  • (Call times for evening shows will be 6:00pm)

You should not audition if you are unable to attend ALL tech/dress rehearsals and performance dates.

Synopsis

Sarah Ruhl’s play Orlando is based on the novel by Virginia Woolf of the same name. It features the character Orlando who is a time-traveling young person who goes from one love interest, including Queen Elizabeth I, to others along the way. Orlando is philosophical and yearns to be a great poet but never seems to finish his poetic creations. Over several centuries, Orlando shifts fluidly through gender changes and lovers often to hilarious comic effect. Having published several serious and experimental works, Orlando was what Woolf called an “escapade” written for her lover Vita Sackville-West who, because she was a woman, was unable to inherit her family’s estate during the early twentieth-century. 

Character breakdown

Orlando– Woman. wealthy, noble English person who can be a dreamy poet but is always passionate about life and open to new experiences. Starts out at 16 years old, but ages to 36 and transitions through several centuries from the 16^th century to the early 20^th century. 

Ensemble: (The ensemble is intrinsic to the drama and staging and will play an important role in and of itself through expressive movement and interaction. Members will have the following roles.)

Queen Elizabeth – Ancient, regal, and graceful sovereign of 67 years old. Elizabeth is looking for a youthful paramour and becomes infatuated with and, possessive of, Orlando. Woman.

Shakespeare– An older actor and poet lost in his thoughts and imagination 50 to 60 years old. Man.

Archduke/Archduchess – A tall, middle aged and imposing but ridiculously pompous figure. 45 to 50 years old. Gender Fluid.

Sasha – A young, Russian Princess. Self-possessed, smart, and independent. 25 years old. Woman.

Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine, Esquire – A sailor who is a chivalrous, passionate, and determined man at the pinnacle of his powers. 40 years old. Gender Fluid.

Miss Penelope Hartopp

Washer Woman

Favilla Clorinda 

Euphrosyne

Russian Sea-Man

As You Like It Orlando

Rosalind

Sea Captain

Maid - Grimsditch

Maid- Dupper

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