Women Playing Hamlet

by William Missouri Downs
Directed by Heather Schultz
Produced by Debb Miller
Stage Manager Wendy Brinker

Production Kickoff: August 29, 2021

Audition: September 12, 2021

Performance Dates

Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, & 18, 2021 at 8:00PM
Dec. 12 & 19, 2021 at 2:00PM

Unless specifically noted, all roles are open to all regardless of race or ethnicity.

  • Jessica – (character 20s) An actress, quirky, smart, talented and still doubts herself. *Auditioners interested in this role must be able to deliver Hamlet's "To Be or Not To Be" speech at auditions.
  • 5-10 Actresses – 5-10 actresses to play a variety of supporting roles (both male and female characters) including: Acting Coach, Humanities Professor, Home Shopping Network Model, Barista, a Minnesota Mother and many more.

Hamlet's a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. It doesn't help that her acting coach is borderline abusive, or that every Starbucks barista with an MFA tells her she's too young for the role. Or that she has somehow managed to make Sir Patrick Stewart her nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she is a woman. How can Jessica figure out "to be or not to be," when she can't even figure out herself? Featuring an all-female cast performing multiple roles, Women Playing Hamlet is rip-roaring fun for Shakespeare fans and haters alike.

HEATHER SCHULTZ has been involved with performing arts for over 30 years in various capacities. In 2017, she directed Five Women Wearing the Same Dress for Curtain Players, which received eleven recognitions at the 2017 Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) Central Regional Conference - including an Excellence in Direction for Schultz - and awarded six recognitions at the 2017 OCTA State Conference. Later that year, Heather directed the first fully staged production of the new play Wendy Darling, which earned eight recognitions at the 2018 OCTA Central Region Conference, again, including an award for Outstanding in Direction for Heather, and four recognitions at the 2018 OCTA State Conference. Heather is the current Board President for Curtain Players and serves on the Marketing Committee.

When

Where

Script review, auditions, and performances take place at:
Curtain Players Theatre
5691 Harlem Road, Galena, OH 43021

Curtain Players offers a information session for each of its productions as a help for actors seeking roles, but attendance is not required to audition. The event is an opportunity for actors to become acquainted with the community theatre organization, to discuss the play with the director, and to ask questions about the audition process, rehearsal period, and production plans. Those interested in working behind the scenes are also invited to attend.

Curtain Players conducts open auditions for its productions. Roles are not cast in advance, and, unless specified otherwise in the role's description, are open to all without regard to race or ethnicity. Casting decisions are made by the director and a casting committee comprised of a member of the theatre board, a general member of the organization, and individuals of the director's choosing.

Actors are encouraged to come to auditions familiar with the script and ready to read cuttings from the script. Every effort will be made to give actors equal chances to read. Resumes and head shots are helpful but not necessary.

Requests for an early audition for Women Playing Hamlet must be made no later than August 29, 2021.

Questions related to the audition process may be directed to production@curtainplayers.org.

Rehearsals for our productions begin in an offsite location, to be determined for each production. Approximately one month before opening night, rehearsals move into the Harlem Road playhouse.

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Curtain Players is an award-winning theater serving the central-Ohio area. We have been routinely recognized by AACT, OCTA, and Theatre Roundtable for our tradition of excellence. Learn more about who we are!