WHAT TO PREPARE - Auditions will consist of a monologue presentation and reading sides from the script. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out an audition form and get your photo taken. Bring a water bottle with you and dress for movement. Auditions are NOT time-slot based. Please arrive on time, and plan on staying through to the end of the audition time.
MONOLOGUE• Please prepare ONE monologue from
this list to present at auditions! Memorization is encouraged but NOT required! If you need resources for learning about Julius Caesar, they are listed below!
READING • You will read sides (short scenes from the script) as a part of auditions. There is no need to prepare any sides in advance! Come ready to read scenes with other auditionees and have fun exploring character inventiveness!
MUSIC • I am considering having some of my ensemble members playing/noodling on guitars at certain points in some scenes. For these roles, I am interested in casting people who have acoustic guitar experience, specifically in improvising on the spot, and playing in a more classical style. If you have interest in this kind of role and have these guitar skills, please indicate it on your audition sheet.
Monologue Prep - notes from the director
I do NOT expect these monologues to be perfect. The point of this audition is to explore character inventiveness!
- Make sure you fully understand the language of the monologue - refer to the below resources if you need help understanding Shakespeare.
- Be sure to use your whole body and space when presenting the monologue.
- Remember that all monologues are meant to be spoken to someone; so understand to whom you are speaking, where they are in the room, and what they said that is making your character start this monologue. If the character is talking to themselves, why? Think about these questions as you work through the monologue.
- I will NOT assume that just because you prepare a certain character’s monologue that you are auditioning for that specific character.
- Be confident and creative! Even if you've never prepared a monologue before, I want you to have fun with it! I would rather see you give me a big, dramatic character than a timid one.
Please reach out to me (Kati) at artsgardeninfo@gmail.com if there are any questions about the audition/monologue process!
Julius Caesar Resources (Please note we will NOT be doing the full, unedited show - but these resources will give you a starting point to research the story!)
There are plenty of other cast recordings and films available online! Do some online research or check your local library for more resources!
Julius Caesar Character Descriptions (please note that while the pronouns in these descriptions reflect the genders listed in the original script, these genders may be different in our production based on casting. Any role is open to anyone of any gender.)
Julius Caesar - The newly elected mayor of the town of Rome. He is an imperious figure, easily flattered and full of himself. He is an ambitious man, and though he has shown himself to be trustworthy in certain circumstances, he has a hunger for power that makes some feel safe and others wary.
Marcus Brutus - A well-known judge and dear, personal friend of Caesar. Although he and Caesar are close, he has concerns about his friend's hunt for power in a town that is just trying to stay afloat.
Caius Cassius - A well-known law-keeper and admired man in town. He is deeply suspicious of Caesar's power and is concerned that Caesar will try to turn Rome into his own personal kingdom. He feels that the only way to maintain order in the town is to kill him before he gains too much power over the townspeople, and he finds that he is not alone in his beliefs.
Calpurnia - Caesar's wife. She is passionate, deeply protective, and fearful of what the unpredictable town will do to Caesar.
Portia - Brutus' wife. She has a determined spirit, fiercely loyal, and passionate about keeping her family safe. She loves Brutus deeply and hates to see him in pain.
Lucius - Portia and Brutus' child
Casca, Cinna, Decius Brutus, Caius Ligarius, Metellus Cimber, Trebonius - Important townspeople who conspire against Caesar. They are important members of the town, mostly made up of famers, store-front owners, carpenters, railway-folk, deputies and others.
Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena - Pastors, sheriffs, tax collectors, and other keepers of the peace.
Flavius & Marullus - Deputies working under the sheriff.
Mark Antony - Another town judge and personal friend of Caesar. He lives very lavishly considering his circumstances, and he is a clever speaker. Upon Caesar's death he becomes part of a collective of rulers who oversee Rome, and he uses his power to avenge Caesar against those who killed him.
Lepidus - A local churchman who joins Antony and Octavius is overseeing Rome.
Octavius - Caesar's nephew, who, along with Antony, takes control of Rome and seeks to avenge Caesar's death.
Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, Varro, Claudius, Young Cato, Strato, Volumnius, Dardanus, Clitus, & Pindarus - Farmers, land-owners, carpenters, gardeners, railway-folk, and other townspeople who fight alongside Brutus and Cassius.
Soothsayer - A quiet, unobtrusive townsperson. They usually keep to themselves and speak very seldom to anyone. However, they become aware of the plot to assassinate Caesar, and do their best to warn him of his future.
Artemidorus - A young child who is often sneaking around town. He happens upon the conspirators' plot and tries to warn Caesar.
Cinna - A musician who spends his days strumming the guitar.
