Auditions

WHERE
The Belmont Theatre
27 South Belmont Street, York, PA
Enter main lobby early to fill out audition form.

PREPARATION
Vocals: Prepare 16-32 bars of a Broadway song in the genre of the show and best shows your range and vocal talent. Pease supply accompaniment on your cell phone. A blue-tooth speaker will be provided.

Dance: Dress comfortably and be prepared to dance. Bring tap shoes if you have them.  You will be taught a dance combination and will be asked if you tap dance or have other skills.  Not everyone needs to tap, but having tap skills is a plus for tech dancers and some characters.

Director: Rene Staub

Music Director: Chloe Braden

Choreographer: Emma Gaetjen

SHOW DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the 90’s, 1595 to be exact! Something Rotten takes place in 1595 London, England. The Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, are trying to find success by writing plays, but are outshined by the rock-star playwright of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. Book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Production licensed by Music Theatre International.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

NICK BOTTOM – A struggling renaissance writer at the end of his rope. Nigel’s older brother. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. Great comedic actor who sings, tap dance skills a plus

NIGEL BOTTOM – Nick’s younger brother. A sweetly naive young writer and poet, perhaps a little awkward.  He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Great comedic actor who sings very well.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – A Renaissance rock star. Think Mick Jagger. Great comedic actor with a killer pop/rock voice. Tap dance skills are a plus. 

NOSTRADAMUS – A soothsayer who almost sees the future correctly. A bit looney. He predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Great comedic actor who sings and moves well.

BEA BOTTOM – Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man”. She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a man to make ends meet and to prove to Nick she can be an actor. Great comedic actress who sings very well.

PORTIA – An adorably quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Great comedic actress who sings very well.

BROTHER JEREMIAH – Portia’s father. A Puritan with deeply repressed homoerotic tendencies. He despises playwrights, poets and all things ungodly. Great comedic actor who sings.

MINSTREL – The fun-loving charismatic narrator of the show. Sings the opening number of each act. Sings and dances well.

SHYLOCK – An older Jewish man. Nick and Nigel are in debt to him. He becomes an investor in their musical. Good comic timing. Sings well.

LORD CLAPHAM – Older male. Patron of the theatre. He’s flamboyant and extremely posh. Sings well.

ENSEMBLE – Ensemble, Range: SATB, Seeking strong singer/dancer/actors (tap a plus).