KINGSTON, R.I. — Nov. 27, 2017 — The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department is calling for actors to audition for its 2018 productions of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins.” The auditions are open to the public. To register, call the URI Theatre Department at (401) 874-5921 or visit the theatre office on the second floor of the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston.

Measure for Measure
In the play “Measure for Measure,” written by William Shakespeare, the Duke of Vienna is frustrated by the flagrant violation of his city’s laws and installs Lord Angelo to rule in his place, while he observes his city and proxy disguised as a Friar. Angelo turns out to be an iron-fisted ruler who metes out punishment without mercy.

Targeted by Angelo’s overzealous campaign is Claudio, a man who had sex with his fiancee, impregnating her out of wedlock. Angelo sentences Claudio to death for his “crime.” Claudio’s sister, chaste Isabella, is about to take her vows as a nun. She begs Angelo to show mercy and pardon her brother but instead is faced with an impossible bargain. Angelo agrees to show Claudio mercy, but only if Isabella surrenders her chastity by having sex with him.

Horrified by the nightmarish hypocrisy, Isabella goes to extraordinary lengths to save her brother’s life while keeping her vow of chastity intact. “Measure for Measure,” Shakespeare’s blackest comedy, is a bawdy tale in which vice is found at the highest levels of government and society, while true virtue is found among rogues and prostitutes.

The Theatre Department seeks 12 to 16 actors, with auditions to be held in J Studio of the Fine Arts Center on Dec. 4 and 5, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call backs will be held in J Studio on Dec. 12, from 6 to 10 p.m. Rehearsals will run Jan. 15 through Jan. 21 from noon to 5 p.m., and rehearsals after that will run Tuesdays through Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Actors are asked to read the play and prepare a 1- to 2-minute Shakespeare monologue, preferably comic. Actors do not need to choose characters corresponding with their genders. Sides may be provided at auditions.

Characters to be portrayed are as follows:

• Vincentio — The Duke of Vienna who leaves his debauched city to be ruled by Angelo in his absence. A kind, philosophical man who metes out justice balanced with mercy.
• Angelo – The duke’s deputy who assumes rule over the city in the Duke’s absence. A religious zealot, he rules with an iron fist despite his own moral failings.
• Isabella — About to take her vows as a nun, Isabella is virtuous and chaste. When she pleads to Angelo for her brother’s life, she is faced with an impossible choice: surrender her chastity, or save her brother.
• Claudio — Isabella’s brother, he is betrothed to Juliet but as yet unmarried. Having impregnated her out of wedlock, he has been sentenced to death under Angelo’s merciless government. Although he attempts to sympathize with Isabella’s refusal to meet Angelo’s demands sexual demands, he ultimately begs for her to do what it takes to save him from the executioner.
• Juliet — Claudio’s pregnant fiancee who is waiting for her future husband’s fate to be determined.
• Mariana — Formerly engaged to Angelo, she was jilted when her dowry was lost at sea in a shipwreck. She has held a torch for Angelo ever since. She therefore agrees to a “bedtrick” — under cover of darkness she has sex with Angelo, who thinks he is sleeping with Isabella, the chaste nun.
• Mistress Overdone — The Madame of a brothel whose business is threatened by Angelo’s puritanical rule.
• Pompey — Mistress Overdone’s “tapster”, or barman. An employee of Mistress Overdone, he plays “pimp” to her “madame.” Despite being regarded as a rogue and low-life, he exposes much of the corruption and hypocrisy at work in his city’s leadership.
• Escalus — Counselor to Angelo and the voice of reason.
• Lucio — Labeled a “fantastic” by Shakespeare, he is a flamboyant and comic bachelor. A true friend to Claudio.
• Provost – The city’s jailor who oversees Claudio’s imprisonment.
• Elbow — A dim-witted constable.
• Abhorson — An executioner.
• Barnadine — Imprisoned with Claudio. A drunk.

Mary Poppins

The Theatre Department also seeks 16 actors to star in Walt Disney’s classic tale, “Mary Poppins,” a play by Cameron Mackintosh, with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

This family musical features delightful songs from the popular Disney film including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” The stories of Mary Poppins have captivated audiences for generations, and now the enchanting tale, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers will dazzle and delight theatre patrons of all ages.

Actors are required to prepare one or two vocal selections, 32 bars long, memorized (please provide sheet music). Selections must be from a musical, excluding songs from “Mary Poppins.” After individual 5-minute singing auditions, groups of 8 will learn a brief dance routine.

Actors should wear clothes in which they can move well; character, tap, or jazz shoes are suggested and encouraged, but not required.

Auditions will be held in the G Studio of Fine Arts on Dec. 4 and 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dance call backs will take place Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m., while singing/acting call back will be held Dec. 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. and the cast list will be posted Dec. 15. Auditions for the roles of Jane and Michael Banks will be held at a later date in early February. Rehearsals will begin the third week of February.

Performances begin April 20, 2018, in the Robert E. Will Theatre.

Roles are available for the following characters:

• Mary Poppins — Jane and Michael Bank’s new nanny. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well.
• Bert — The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
• George Banks — The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. A baritone, may speak-sing as necessary.
• Winifred Banks — George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother, warmth and simplicity to her tone.
• Bird Woman — Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
• Corry — Owns a magical gingerbread shop, speaks with any accent that would make her seem exotic.
• Robertson Ay — The houseboy to the Banks family. Small singing role, but his “Spoonful” solo can be a fun surprise.
• Katie Nanna — Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show.
• Miss Lark — The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family.
• Admiral Boom — A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, can be any vocal range as needed.
• Brill — The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family.
• Neleus — The statue of a young boy in the park, featured dance role.
• Queen Victoria — A statue in the park.
• Miss Andrew — George’s overbearing and scary nanny. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
• Bank Chairman — The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, can speak/sing his lines if necessary.
• Miss Smythe — The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary.
• Von Hussler — A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal, German accent.
• John Northbrook — An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community, accent from Northern England.
• Ensemble — Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Park-Goers.

URI Theatre is committed to an environment of inclusion and diversity. Auditions are open to any student, staff member, or faculty member of the University of Rhode Island, as well as any member of the community. Non-traditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.