(HARRISON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) will hold open in-person auditions for their production of Shakespeare's The Tempest on Wednesday, April 16 and Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 7:00pm – 9:30pm at the Spanish Pavilion Restaurant, Event Room (downstairs) in Harrison.
Performances will be held outdoors at The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (102 State Street, Hackensack) on July 9, 16, and 23. Additional performances will be held at outdoor venues in West Hudson (locations to be announced.)
The Tempest explores complex themes of power, freedom, empathy and forgiveness, and nature versus nurture, with Prospero’s journey of revenge and eventual release highlighting the destructive nature of control and the potential for reconciliation.
Actors ages 18-80+ are invited to read from the provided sides and should be prepared to list all conflicts between auditions and the production dates on audition form.
The Spanish Pavilion Restaurant is located at 31 Harrison Avenue in Harrison, New. Jersey. Parking is available in the lot, additional street parking available as well.
Contact shakes@whatconj.org with questions or for additional information. Visit https://whatconj.org/auditions/ for audition materials.
Cast of Characters:
* Prospero: 50’s The play’s protagonist, and father of Miranda. Fifteen years before the events of the play, Prospero was the duke of Milan. His brother, Antonio, in concert with Alonso, king of Naples, usurped him, forcing him to flee in a boat with his daughter. The honest lady Gonzala aided Prospero in his escape. Prospero has spent his fifteen years on the island refining the magic that gives him the power he needs to punish and forgive his enemies.
* Miranda: 20’s The daughter of Prospero, Miranda was brought to the island at an early age and has never seen any men other than her father and Caliban, though she dimly remembers being cared for by female servants as an infant. Because she has been sealed off from the world for so long, Miranda’s perceptions of other people tend to be naïve and non-judgmental. She is compassionate, generous, and loyal to her father. Will be required to learn dance choreography
* Caliban: 30’s to 40’s, Another of Prospero’s servants. Caliban, the son of the now-deceased witch Sycorax, acquainted Prospero with the island when Prospero arrived. Caliban believes that the island rightfully belongs to him and has been stolen by Prospero. His speech and behavior is sometimes coarse and brutal, as in his drunken scenes with Stephano and Trinculo (II.ii, IV.i), and sometimes eloquent and sensitive, as in his rebukes of Prospero in Act I, scene ii, and in his description of the eerie beauty of the island in Act III, scene ii.
* Ferdinand: 20’s, Son and heir of Alonso. Ferdinand seems in some ways to be as pure and naïve as Miranda. He falls in love with her upon first sight and happily submits to servitude in order to win her father’s approval. Will be required to learn dance choreography
* Ariel: 20’s to 30’s Prospero’s spirit helper. Rescued by Prospero from a long imprisonment at the hands of the witch Sycorax, Ariel is Prospero’s servant until Prospero decides to release him. He is mischievous and ubiquitous, able to traverse the length of the island in an instant and to change shapes at will. He carries out virtually every task that Prospero needs accomplished in the play. Note, for this production the actor playing Ariel must be able to play a musical instrument. Will also be required to sing and learn dance choreography.
* Alonso: 40’s to 50’s King of Naples and father of Ferdinand. Alonso aided Antonio in unseating Prospero as Duke of Milan fifteen years before. As he appears in the play, however, he is acutely aware of the consequences of all his actions. He blames his decision to marry his daughter to the Prince of Tunis on the apparent death of his son. In addition, after the magical banquet, he regrets his role in the usurping of Prospero.
* Antonio: 50’s, Prospero’s brother. Antonio quickly demonstrates that he is power-hungry and foolish. In Act II, scene i, he persuades Sebastian to kill the sleeping Alonso. He then goes along with Sebastian’s absurd story about fending off lions when Gonzalo wakes up and catches Antonio and Sebastian with their swords drawn.
* Sabrina: Late 30’s to 40’s, Alonso’s sister. Like Antonio, she is both aggressive and cowardly. she is easily persuaded to kill her brother in Act II, scene i, and she initiates the ridiculous story about lions when Gonzala catches her with her sword drawn.
* Gonzala: Late 30’s to 40’s An, honest lady, Gonzala helped Prospero and Miranda to escape after Antonio usurped Prospero’s title. Gonzala’s speeches provide an important commentary on the events of the play, as she remarks on the beauty of the island when the stranded party first lands, then on the desperation of Alonso after the magic banquet, and on the miracle of the reconciliation in Act V, scene i. Note, this actor will also play Iris the fairy. Will be required to sing and learn dance choreography.
* Stephanie: Late 30’s to 40’s, Stephanie, a drunken butler. Provides comedic relief for the play along with Trinculo. Hates her position in life. Uses Caliban and treats him as a servant throughout their scenes in the show. Actor playing Stephanie will also play the Master of the ship and Juno the Fairy. Must be able to sing and learn dance choreography.
* Trinculo: Late 20’s to 30’s, A jester and bit a scaredy cat. When he see’s Caliban for the first time, he tries to think of a way to make money off of him. Actor Playing Trinculo will also play the boatswain and Ceres the fairy. Must be able to sing and learn dance choreography.
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