A LITTLE SHAKESPEARE
Engaging young artists with the work of the Bard in an adaptation directed and designed by professional artists, performed and supported backstage by high school students.
Each season, Two River Theater produces a 75-minute adaptation of a Shakespeare play—directed and designed by theater professionals, and performed and supported backstage by high school students. Student participants are selected through auditions and interviews, and rehearsals take place over a three-month period. Performances are open not only to the public; four school-time shows engage students as young as 4th grade, often serving as their introduction to Shakespeare. Since 2013, nearly 170 students have participated in eight Little Shakes productions, performing for thousands of audience members as young as 9 years old.
UP NEXT:
Now in its ninth season as one of Two River’s most popular programs, A Little Shakespeare introduces the works of Shakespeare to hundreds of youth and adults each year. Through this program, Two River produces a 75-minute abridged version of a Shakespeare play, performed and supported backstage by high school students, and directed and designed by theater professionals.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
AUDITIONS FOR ACTORS
WHAT TO DO (ALL STEPS ARE REQUIRED):
- Read through the Little Shakes: Much Ado Rehearsal Schedule below and make sure that you are available to commit to this program. Make note of any rehearsal conflicts you already know of and bring them with you to your audition.
- Fill out the Audition Form below with your contact info and experience/interest. When you submit your form, you will get a link to schedule your audition block. Each audition block is 90 minutes long. Be prepared to stay the entire time to do your monologue and read scenes with other students.
- Prepare one short monologue: 15-20 memorized lines of text from any Shakespeare play, no longer than 2 minutes. If you sing or play an instrument, please prepare a brief song as well. You will then be paired up and asked to read scenes. Audition scenes will be posted here for your reference up to 2 weeks before auditions. Auditioners are required to bring proof of their COVID vaccination to their audition.
- In-person auditions with the director are always best, but if you cannot make it on Tuesday, February 15, please fill out the Audition Form above and send a video audition to kcordaro@trtc.org by 6pm that day. Please attach proof of your COVID vaccination to your email.
BACKSTAGE OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT TO DO (ALL STEPS ARE REQUIRED):
- Read through the Little Shakes: Much Ado Rehearsal Schedule below and make sure that you are available to commit to this program. Time commitments vary; see below.
- Read the descriptions and time commitments below, and fill out the Backstage Form below with your contact info and experience/interest by Tuesday, February 15. You will need to upload proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to the form.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- Directing Assistant – We will need one high school student to assist our director and assistant director throughout the rehearsal process and performances. Students who have an interest in directing and who want to learn more about it should apply. Make note of any rehearsal / performance conflicts you already know of and be ready to disclose them in your interview.
- Assistant Stage Manager(s) We are looking for one or two assistant stage manager(s). Enhance your skills as an organized and professional stage manager as you work with the director and cast throughout the rehearsal process to bring the show to life. Make note of any rehearsal conflicts you already know of and be ready to disclose them in your interview.
- Costume Assistant, Lighting Assistant, Sound Assistant, and Run Crew We will need responsible, organized people to work backstage as assistants to the Designers (Costumes, Lighting, and Sound). If you are interested in any areas of theater design or technical theater, you could have the opportunity to assist a professional designer in translating the director’s vision to the stage, and running the show during performances. The time commitment for these positions starts when technical rehearsals begin in late April 2022 and continues throughout the run. Design Assistants and Run Crew must be available for all technical rehearsals and performances.
If you have read through all of the above and have questions, please email us at kcordaro@trtc.org.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Much Ado About Nothing Audition & Interview Health & Safety Protocols
The safety of our patrons, staff and artists is our number one priority. As such, all students auditioning and interviewing for A Little Shakespeare will be required to wear a mask and show proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination. Regular COVID testing provided by Two River will be standard practice in the rehearsal and performance schedule, and a full safety plan including procedures and cleaning regimens will be made available for students in the program.
By auditioning and/or interviewing for A Little Shakespeare, students and their parents/guardians agree to abide by these safety protocols.
2020/21 Virtual Production
Tiny Shakes: Romeo and Juliet
Last season, the program used the limitations of 2021 as a unique opportunity for students to delve deeply into the play and give them the agency to tell the story in their own way, filming scenes from home. Over the course of the program, 21 students partnered with industry professionals to learn more about acting, visual design, music, fight choreography, and filmmaking. The result is an eclectic and energetic production of Romeo and Juliet featuring original music, TikTok dances, FaceTime calls, and more.
PHOTO MONTAGES
Tiny Shakes: Romeo and Juliet
2020/21 Season
A Little Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
2019/20 Season
A Little Shakespeare: Macbeth
2018/19 Season
A Little Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors
2017/18 Season
A Little Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor
2016/17 Season
A Little Shakespeare: Pericles
2015/16 Season
A Little Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream
2014/15 Season
A Little Shakespeare: As You Like It
2013/14 Season