Description:

: Invictus Theatre Company is excited to announce auditions for their upcoming production of Merchant of Venice, directed by Charles Askenaizer. We are seeking actors with strong language skills and/or Shakespearean experience. The performances will be on October 21st-November 17th and will take place at The Buena, 4147 N Broadway.

Auditions will be held, on Saturday August 3rd from 11-5pm, and on Sunday August 4th from 2-7pm at About Face Theater, 5252 N Broadway. Callbacks will be on August 7th from 6:30-9:30pm at North Shore Baptist Church, Room 306, 5244 N Lakewood Ave.

Audition Location is:
About Face Theater
5252 N Broadway
Chicago, IL

Callback location is:
North Shore Baptist Church Room 306
5244 N Lakewood Ave
Chicago, IL

Character Breakdown:
Invictus Theatre Company does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, ability, nationality, religion, or any other protected status by law. All are encouraged to audition.

Antonio- 40's-60's Open ethnicity. Venetian merchant. Described as a generous, good, and kind. A Christian. Hates Shylock.

Tubal//Duke//Servant#1- 40's-60's Open ethnicity. This role is double/triple cast. Tubal is a Jewish businessman in Venice. A friend of Shylock's.

Launcelot//Prince of Arragon//Jailer- 20's-40's This role is double/triple cast. Open ethnicity. Launcelot is the servant and fool for Shylock. Quick-witted and comedic. Antisemitic. Arragon is one of Portia's suitors who undergoes the casket trial. Arrogant. Pompous.

Prince of Morocco//Leonardo//Servant #2-20's 40's This role is double/triple cast. Actor of color. Noble, attractive, and fierce prince of Morocco. One of Portia's suitors who undergoes the casket trial.

Gratiano- 20's-30's Open ethnicity. Party boy. Loud. Obnoxious. Loyal to his friends. Antisemitic.

Salanio//Salerio- 20's-40's Open ethnicity. This role is double cast. Fellow businessmen and friends of Antonio. Antisemitic.

Salarino- 20's-40's Open ethnicity. Fellow businessman and friend to Antonio. Antisemitic.

Portia 20's-30's This role has been pre-cast. Seeking understudy. Open ethnicity. Intelligent, playful, and wealthy heiress.

Nerissa 20's-30's Open ethnicity. Portia's lady-in-waiting and her best friend. Equally intelligent and witty as Portia.

Shylock 40's-60's This role has been pre-cast. Seeking understudy. Open ethnicity. Jewish money lender. A foreigner in Venice. A widower who has learned to be hard from living in a hostile world.

Jessica- 20's Open ethnicity. Shylock's teenage daughter. Wants to assimilate. Rebellious from living in a strict household. Marries Lorenzo, a Christian boy, against her father's wishes.

Lorenzo- 20's Open ethnicity. Christian friend of Bassanio, Gratiano, and Antonio. Falls in love with Jessica and runs away with her.

Bassanio- 20's-30's Open ethnicity. Venetian noble. Good friend of Antonio. One of Portia's suitors who undergoes the casket trial. In love with Portia. Terrible with money.

Time Commitment:
Rehearsals: September 7th- October 10th Monday-Thursday 6:30-9:30pm, Saturdays 9:30am-2:30pm
Tech: October 12th- October 16th
Previews: October 17th- October 20th
Opening Night: October 21st
Performances: October 24th- November 17th Thursday-Monday performances

Material To Prepare:
Sides will be provided.