Description:

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is seeking actors 18-60 who sing and play acoustic instruments at an advanced or high intermediate level. Seeking all ages, races, ethnicities and gender. Only seeking actors with Chicago housing at this time.

SEEKING AEA and NON- AEA actors for: Frodo Baggins (Male, 20-35)
Frodo is an earnest, inquisitive young Hobbit with the otherworldly quality of someone wise beyond his years. Frodo longs for adventure beyond the boundaries of The Shire, but soon finds himself faced with a quest that will test not only his bravery but his very sense of self, as he is wracked by the powers of the One Ring.
Actors must be highly experienced with movement and choreography.
Music: something simple and unaffected eg "I'd Rather Be Sailing", "Johanna"
Tenor or high baritone. Honest, simple tone. More folky than MT. High note: A4

Samwise Gamgee (Male 20-35)
SAM must play guitar (it's strumming only)
Sam is a warm, friendly, and stubbornly loyal Hobbit, and a gardener for the Baggins family. He is fiercely protective of those he loves and quietly courageous in his determination to see Frodo to the end of his perilous journey - even as he longs to return to his sweetheart and his quiet life in The Shire.
Music: something simple and unaffected eg "I'd Rather Be Sailing", "Johanna" Tenor or high baritone. Honest, direct, unaffected tone. More folky than MT.

Gollum (Any Gender, 25-45 Years)
Seeking an accomplished and versatile physical actor or dancer to take on the role of Gollum in 'The Lord of the Rings'.
The creature known as Gollum was once a Hobbit before he was twisted and driven mad by the One Ring over hundreds of years. Gollum's one desire is to be reunited with the Ring at any cost. He is manipulative, cunning and deeply conflicted, while still able to tug on the heartstrings of those he encounters.
Actors must be highly experienced with movement and choreography, and be skilled in at least one instrument.
Music: Baritone, and with a really characterful voice. It requires an extremely agile vocalist who can get creative around producing interesting sounds and vocal qualities for Gollum, and rapidly switching in and out of this for his song. Low note: C3; High note: F4; Falsetto to high C.

Strider/Aragorn (Male, 30-40 Years)
Strider is the name given to the mysterious Ranger who traverses Middle Earth, protecting its people from rising evil. His true identity is Aragorn - the heir to the throne of Men. He is a quick-thinking and just leader, whose bravery and devotion to his people inspires all he encounters. Despite his claim to the throne, Aragorn initially doubts his ability to lead and fears failing those he is responsible for.
Actors must be skilled in at least one instrument, and experiences in movement and choreography.
Music: Musical Theater or folk song with drive that shows range (i.e. "Streets of Dublin")
Robust, manly baritone/high baritone. Not operatic. High note: G4

Boromir (Male, 30-40 Years)
Boromir is a valiant and hot-headed warrior, the son of the Steward of Gondor. He is headstrong, determined to a fault and tirelessly loyal to his people. Actors should be highly skilled in at least one instrument, and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Music: Musical Theater or folk song with drive that shows range.

Gimli (Male, 25-40)
GIMLI could play guitar (picking and strumming)
Gimli is a steadfast and fearless Dwarf, one of the last of the House of Durin, determined to prevent the decline of his people by destroying the Ring. He is deeply distrustful of Elves and is easily provoked into arguments with Elven prince Legolas, but Gimli's softer side is brought out by the excitable young Hobbits and the beauty of Galadriel of Lothlorien.
MUSIC: Bass. Manly and noble. Low note: B2 ; High note: E4
If contemporary sound, he would play guitar; if operatic sound, he would not.

Legolas (Male, 20-35)
Legolas, the Elven prince of Mirkwood, is a quick-witted master archer and a valiant and loyal defender of the members of the Fellowship. He distrusts Dwarves and misses no opportunity to enrage Gimli on their journey to destroy the One Ring but ultimately overcomes his preconceptions in favor of friendship.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least two instruments and experienced in movement and choreography.
Music: Light, easy, but still somewhat manly tone... one befitting of an elf!
High bari or tenor. High note: Ab4

Merry (Any Gender, 20-30 Years)
PIPPIN or MERRY must play fiddle
Meriadoc Brandybuck is the inquisitive younger cousin of Frodo Baggins. Merry is enthusiastic, kind-hearted and intelligent, and spends most of his time reining in his more impulsive cousin Pippin.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least one instrument, and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Music: something simple and unaffected eg "I'd Rather Be Sailing", "Johanna"
Light, young tenor. High note: G4, with a brief A4

Pippin (Any Gender, 20-30 Years)
PIPPIN or MERRY must play fiddle
Pippin is a mischievous and fun-loving Hobbit. They are impulsive and an occasional troublemaker, but their heart is in the right place and they remain courageous and fiercely loyal to the Fellowship throughout their journey.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least one instrument, and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Music: something characterful, i.e., "Wait a Bit", "Notice Me Horton"
Mezzo. Colourful, characterful, direct voice. High note: E5 (could be adjusted to D5 for the right person)

Gandalf (Male, 50-70 Years)--seeking understudy
Seeking an accomplished and versatile actor to take on the role of Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Gandalf is an incredibly powerful Wizard, sent to Middle Earth to aid in the battle against the Dark Lord Sauron. He acts as a guide and protector for the members of The Fellowship of the Ring. Gandalf possesses both tremendous gravitas, as in his clashes with the corrupt Wizard Saruman, and deep warmth, clear in his relationship with the young Hobbits.
Music: Folk or musical theater ballad of choice. This character does not need to play an instrument though it is helpful.

Galadriel (Female-identifying, 25-35 Years)
Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlórien, is one of the mightiest Elves in Middle Earth and over a thousand years old. Though her realm is untouched by the Dark Lord, Galadriel is grieved and resigned to the fact that the One Ring's destruction will also signal the end of Lothlórien. She is benevolent and graceful, but those in her presence cannot forget her power and omniscience.
Actors must be skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Music: Galadriel should bring something dramatic and fearsome - a modern star turn with a good belt. Excellent vocalist. Conveys wisdom and maturity in her voice. Dramatic belt/mix.Low note: A3; Belt/mix to D5; Soprano extension to G5 belt
Examples" "Your Daddy's Son" "With One Look", "No Good Deed", "My Heart Will Go On"

Saruman/Elrond (Male-identifying, 35-50 Years)
Saruman was once the head of the White Council of Wizards, but - power-hungry and blinded by ambition - he was seduced into serving the Dark Lord, Sauron, and is building an army of Orcs. He is wise, composed and immensely powerful.
Elrond is an Elf, the Lord of Rivendell. He is benevolent, intelligent and resigned to the fact that the era of Elves is over and he must move his people overseas.
Music: a ballad with drive (i.e., "Streets of Dublin")

Arwen (Female, 20-35 Years)
If ARWEN can play the harp, that is tremendous. If not, we will consider those actors as well if they play another instrument.
Arwen is the half-Elven daughter of Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. She is wise, courageous and has the grace and gravitas of someone over two thousand years old. Her deep love for Aragorn (a human) leaves her torn between the Elves and the world of Men.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least one instrument, and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Music: Arwen should bring something folky and unusual such as "Both Sides Now", "Hallelujah", or their own cover of something that they might do for an open mic night somewhere smoky. They should then contrast it with something belty but modern, i.e., "Someone Else's Story". In general, a lighter sound than Galadriel. For this role, it could be interesting to explore unusual vocal tones. Her sound is otherworldly, heavenly, dreamlike. Belt/mix to D4

Rosie Cotton (Female, 20-30 Years)
Rosie Cotton is a Hobbit who stays behind in The Shire during the quest to destroy The Ring. She is warm and funny, while still making sure that her sweetheart, Samwise Gamgee, knows who is in charge.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least two instruments and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential. Should sing something fun and characterful.

ENSEMBLE (any gender, all vocal types)
Music: Something that shows character and energy-you are hobbits telling the story, so let your hobbit's personality come through. Seeking all ranges. Ensemble must move well.
Actors must be highly skilled in at least one instrument, and skilled in movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.

ENSEMBLE (Any gender, all races, ethnicities, abilities)
Seeking actors to play a group of hobbits telling the story Will also understudy, Actors must be highly skilled in at least two instruments, and comfortable with movement and choreography. Experience with puppetry is desirable but not essential.
Prepare musical theater or folk song that shows range.

AEA: $1057.75/wk; NON-AEA: $725.00/wk