Director’s Forum 6/9 @ 7 pm

Auditions June 22 & June 23 @ 7 pm

Callbacks June 24 @ 7 pm

TCP encourages actors of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, ages, and sexual orientations to audition.

Production team:

Director: Scott Bradford

Asst Director: Cassidy Vlietstra

Music Director: Tim McFeeters

Technical Director: Marty Golob

Stage Manager/Set Dressing: Wendy Golob

Choreographer: Belle Schmidt

Dance Captain: Elise Bradford

Production Manager: Maureen Bradford

Sound: Liam Diefenbach

Costume Designers: Barb Stepka & Reta Trux

It’s the 1590s - welcome to the Renaissance! Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of Shakespeare, that Renaissance rock star known also as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz. This hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway garnered ten Tony Award nominations!

Director’s Forum:

June 9, 2025, 7pm

This informational meeting will introduce you to the Director and the Creative Team, tell you a little bit about the musical, including the characters and songs, and tell you more about what we are looking for at Auditions. This is for anyone that wants to get a jump on preparing music and researching characters. It is designed to help both seasoned performers and the those very new to the stage.

Audition Dates:

June 22 & 23, 2025 7-9:30pm, for all auditioning

June 24, 2025 7pm, Callbacks

General Audition Information:

All performers will be asked to:

Sing a piece of prepared music, 16-32 bars. We will have an accompanist, and a Bluetooth speaker to use. We ask that ALL performers sing to some accompaniment. Don’t know your vocal range? No worries. Bring your prepared song, and the Music Director might also ask you to sing some scales.

Primary character ranges are listed in the roles below.

Vocal range for Ensemble males: at least an F4 (some with A4)

Vocal range for Ensemble females: at least F5 (More mix & belt as opposed to “legit”)

Dance a short choreographed movement piece. All performers will be involved in some choreography. Or structured scene movements. We will hold additional and harder tryouts for more accomplished dancers and tappers. BUT, we will always be willing to teach anyone who shows ability and desire.

Read assigned scenes from the musical for the primary named characters. If you are wishing to be a member of the Ensemble, there are many smaller parts that we will assign from the Ensemble. You will also be asked to read some of those parts.

Note: Something Rotten! is a very dance and music heavy show, with multiple styles of music and dance, including tap. The Ensemble and other members of the cast will be busy and be onstage a great deal of the time. Attendance at music and dance rehearsals will expected.

Twin City Players encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description.

If you need any specific accommodations to audition, please contact Director, Scott Bradford, scotabrad@yahoo.com, to make your request.

Characters:

NICK BOTTOM – Male presenting, Casting ages 20+. Tenor or High Baritone. The main protagonist of the show. A struggling renaissance writer at the end of his rope. Nigel’s older brother. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. He is responsible for creating the first musical, Omelette, after guidance from the misguided Nostradamus. Seeking a comedic actor, tap dance skill a plus but not required. Will kiss Bea in show. Vocal Range bottom: A2, Vocal Range top: G4

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – Male presenting, Casting ages 20+. A renaissance rock star. He oozes swagger. Think Mick Jagger, Prince, Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz. Seeking a comedic actor with a killer pop/rock voice, tap dance skills a plus but not required. Shakespeare is both the real life author of many plays and rival to Nick Bottom. Shakespeare, also referred to as “The Bard” throughout the show, gets all of the praise and attention from his adoring fans leaving writers like Nick and Nigel in his shadow. Rockstar, “Mick Jagger,” Rock Belt, Croon low, Excellent rhythmic skills; Cocky; Very “expressive” with other characters. Vocal Range bottom: A2, Vocal Range top: Ab4

NOSTRADAMUS – Any gender role, Casting ages 20+. Tenor or High Baritone. A soothsayer who “almost” sees the future correctly. A bit loony. This character predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a dynamic comedic performer who sings and moves very well. Vocal Range Bottom: C3, Vocal range top: F#4

NIGEL BOTTOM – Male presenting, Casting ages 18+. Nick’s younger brother. A sweetly naïve young writer and poet, perhaps a little awkward. He’s not very confident, and doesn’t think his work is very good despite the outstanding quality of his writing. He is very gullible and can easily be manipulated. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Seeking a comedic actor who sings very well. Will kiss Portia in the show. Vocal Range Bottom: Eb3, Vocal range top: A4

BEA – Female presenting, Casting ages 18+. Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man.” She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a man to make ends meet for her growing family. She is a strong leader and a powerful woman who is quite persuasive when she wants to be. She ultimately saves the day. Seeking a comedic actor. Will kiss Nick in the show. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: F#5

PORTIA – Female presenting, Casting ages 18+. A quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. Portia is the only daughter of Brother Jeremiah and the love interest to Nigel Bottom. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Seeking a comedic actor. Will kiss Nigel in the show. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: F#5

MINSTREL – Any gender role, Casting ages 16+. The Minstrel is a narrator of sorts for the show with the main purpose of introducing the cast and welcoming the audience to the Renaissance era of the show. This performer opens the first and the second act. Seeking a charismatic actor with a thousand faces. The performer playing the Minstrel will also play other roles in the show. Vocal Range Bottom: C#3, Vocal range top: A4 (ad. Lib. To C5)

BROTHER JEREMIAH – Male presenting, Casting ages 30+. The Puritan father of Portia and secondary antagonist in Something Rotten! He is very strict and refuses to let his daughter engage in “fulfilling her lustful desires.” He shows nothing but disrespect towards everyone, but especially playwrights like Nick and Nigel. A deeply repressed Puritan and “discovers” himself. Seeking a comedic actor. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: G4

TOM SNOUT, PETER QUINCE, SNUG, FRANCIS FLUTE – Any gender roles, Casting ages 18+. All Voice Types. These characters are individual members and characters within Nick Bottom’s theatrical troupe. Although these particular characters must present as male, they can be played by either male or female performers.

ROBIN – Male presenting, Casting ages 16+. Tenor or Baritone. Member of Bottom’s theatrical troupe who always plays the female characters.

LORD/LADY CLAPHAM – Any gender role, Casting ages 18+. All Voice Types. Lord/Lady Clapham is a flamboyant theatre producer. Comic speaking role. This character may also play other singing/dancing roles throughout the show.

SHYLOCK – Casting ages 30+. Baritone. Jewish landlord/tax collector who loves theater more than anything. It was illegal at that time to hire someone who was Jewish, so when Nick is forced to hire Shylock, he has to watch out or he could be hanged. An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Comic character.

Featured Ensemble Roles:

THE BARD BACKUP SINGERS/DANCERS – Ages 16+. All Voice Types. This small group of singers/dancers play Shakespeare’s entourage. Strong dance abilities preferred.

TAP DANCING ENSEMBLE – Ages 16+. Performers with tap dance training for A Musical, Make an Omelette, The Black Death, and more!

PURITANS – Ages 16+. Singing and dancing Puritans in the number, We See the Light, as well as other scenes.

RENAISSANCE WRITERS – Ages 16+. Actor / Singers who make an appearance in Welcome to the Renaissance.

SHAKESPEARE GROUPIES – Ages 16+. Singing / Dancing Ensemble in Will Power

GALLERY / PEOPLE IN COURT – Ages 16+. Actors / Singer Ensemble in Shakespeare in Court

NEW WORLD TROUPE – Ages 16+. Small Actor / Singer Ensemble in Welcome to America