An important note from Michael Armenia, Director of the upcoming production of one of Shakespeare’s most important plays.
||| FROM MICHAEL ARMENIA |||
Our Orcas Island Shakespeare Society’s production of ‘Hamlet’ with an all-female cast is at a critical juncture this month.
I’ve had some casting issues and need to fill three major roles before April 4th so as to have enough time to keep our schedule for performances this July. Otherwise, I will be postponing until the fall-winter season and re-advertise auditions. (Our current plan is to rent the black box theater from May 1 – July 31, with performance dates in July. )
I need to immediately fill:
- Queen (approximate age range: 40-60 years)
- Laertes (approximate age range: 25-35 years)
- Horatio (approximate age range: 25-35 years)
There is an additional need for a few more actresses who will each play multiple characters, but the three above are critical for me to fill immediately without postponement of the play and we are on the cusp of something great and historical.
PS – Our Hamlet (Belle Emilie Gold) is a brilliant character actress, completely off book and ready to rehearse. Her performance of the Danish Prince will really be breathtaking!
You should probably postpone until you learn that your bizarre age requirements for roles screams patriarchal judge. What is the point of an all female cast that strictly conforms to the strange beliefs of a self consumed man?
Perhaps Shakespeare did not define age ranges for his characters because his plays were not written to be bland on the nose portrayals of adolescent fantasies.
Also, brink of something historic?
I was so disappointed to learn a little while back that Kelsey was cast for one of those major roles, but when it was found out she was pregnant, she was ‘relieved’ of that role. She did a fantastic job on Pride and Prejudice; she has great skill and stage presence. I can’t understand this decision, and it was a turn off that some creative solution could not be found to keep her in the play. Plus, you would need one less main role now. Maybe you can beg her to reconsider.
‘Relieved’ is a kind characterization. She was told because she was pregnant she could be stage manager but she could not tarnish his groundbreaking performance. I would ask all women cast in this “groundbreaking performance” to consider whether it does justice to those it claims to honor and serve. And by those I mean us. By those I mean you.
Kelsey, who was wonderful in Pride & Prejudice, informed me that she was expecting in the beginning of August. That would have been just a few weeks after our closing date. Despite her willingness to proceed in the role, I did not feel comfortable imposing 6-hour rehearsals on an expectant mother, aside from the possibility of risking of a premature birth during our performance weeks. In fact, Kelsey had written to me, “If this seems to risky to you, or doesn’t fit with your vision I 100% understand and would accept being promoted to audience member.” All I want is for everyone to be comfortable and put on the best production possible.