Our 2023 Season includes 3 plays & 3 musicals! Be a part of the exciting 10th OJP Season.
AUDITIONS
Now scheduling auditions for the 2023 Midsummer Shakespeare Festival
Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan directed by Beatrice Casagrán, Music Directed by Bill Wolfe
All Roles Open.
Auditions are by appointment only and will be held at the OJP Studio Theater in Upland- 2009 Porterfield Way Suite H, Upland
Audition dates: April 8 10am-2pm, April 10, 4pm-9pm, April 11 3pm-9pm Callbacks by invitation only– April 12 7pm-10pm
Rehearsals for Pirates of Penzance will generally run Mon., Wed. 7pm-10:30pm, Fri. 7:30 pm-11pm, & Sun. 10am-4pm from May 21-July 12. Individual call times will vary. All rehearsals will be at the OJP Theater in Upland.
Performances: July 14, 16, 20, 22 at 8pm All performances will be at the Sontag Greek Theater at Pomona College in Claremont
Show description: Fred thinks they are finally done with their piratical apprenticeship to which they were mistakenly bound by a bumbling nanny (Ruth/Ruff). However, through a technical quirk of fate, it turns out that Fred is still bound to the Pirate King which is bad because Fred has met and instantly fallen in love with a lovely ingenue (Mabel/Abel) who cannot marry a pirate. Love wins the day when the sentimental pirates decide to leave piracy behind to marry the Major General’s handsome and numerous offspring and they all swear allegiance the QUEEN. Pirates of Penzance will be cast gender fluidly. Some roles may have genders switched or be played in drag. We are exploring and celebrating gender expression in this piece. Music will be transposed as necessary.
Roles:
Mabel or Abel— 18-21 offspring of the Major General- the ingenue, an astute young person, who is sympathetic in nature. Falls in love with Frederic/Frederique — Soprano or Tenor
Pirate King 35-45–Mezzo or Baritone The leader of the pirates. A whole-hearted romantic with a soft bite.
Ruth/Ruff 50-60– Mezzo or Tenor– Frederic’s/Frederique’s lifelong nanny who mistakenly apprentices them to pirates. Wants to continue to be Frederic’s/Frederique’s number one.
Police Sargent 30-45– Contralto/Bass. Must be able to move/dance including tap. The leader of the police. Awkward and clumsy. Though their duty to protect is clear, the Sergeant and his police is more accustomed to run and hide. Frederique/Frederic 21– Mezzo Soprano or Tenor–A member of the Pirates. Unaffected and possesses an unself-conscious sex appeal. Youthful, genuine and innocent.
Kate or Nate–17-24, Mezzo-Soprano/tenor. Offspring of the Major General. Quick-witted and rather sassy.
Edith/Eddie–25-29, Mezzo Soprano/tenor–Eldest offspring of the Major General.
Samuel/Samuelle— 35-45 Pirate King’s first mate. Bass-baritone/contralto-mezzo
Major-General–50s-60s, Bass/Contralto. Father/Mother of many offspring. Possesses kindness, warmth, and good-humor.
Ensemble— Pirates, Police, Offspring Most cast will play multiple roles.
WHAT TO PREPARE
All those auditioning: Prepare a 1-2 minute Shakespearian monologue. Also prepare 36 bars of a comedic song from light opera/operetta. Songs from Pirates of Penzance or other Gilbert and Sullivan are fine. Accompanist will be provided for audition. No tracks or a cappella.
Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare directed by Elina De Santos
All Roles Open.
Auditions are by appointment only and will be held at the OJP Studio Theater in Upland- 2009 Porterfield Way Suite H, Upland Audition dates: April 8 10am-2pm, April 10, 4pm-9pm, April 11 3pm-9pm Callbacks by invitation only– April 12 7pm-10pm
Rehearsals for Measure for Measure will generally run Tues, Thurs, 7-10:30pm, Saturdays from 10-5, and Sundays 4-10pm from May 20-July 11.
Performances July 13, 15, 21, 23 at 8pm All performances will be at the Sontag Greek Theater at Pomona College in Claremont
Show Description: When the power of the state is twisted to serve false righteousness one woman stands up to a corrupt politician to save her brother’s life and bring down the petty tyrant. Measure for Measure is about the nature of corruption. The play explores gender and class disparities. Most actors will play more than one role and often of different genders and class.
Roles
DUKE VINCENTIO 40-50 Ruler of Vienna. He wants justice and peace in a city that is fraught with corruption and disease. It’s out of control and he has neglected the problems that threaten to destroy the city. He embarks upon an unusual path to bring about change and merciful order.
ANGELO: 30-40 A seemingly just man who believes in the law. He is most naïve about his own desires and limitations. ESCALUS: 50-100 He is an “ancient” Lord, a man of wisdom and patience. Trusted and loved by many. Finding his faults will be fun.
CLAUDIO: 18-28 a young gentleman who impregnates Juliet whom he professes to love. He is sentenced to death for this “crime”. Under this sentence much of his true nature is revealed. He is sensitive and bright.
LUCIO: 25-35 a “fantastic,” a flamboyant bachelor who provides much of the play’s comedic content. He is a friend of Claudio’s and tries to help him. He is deeply cynical, believing in nothing except perhaps his own entitlement.
ISABELLA: 18-28 is a virtuous and chaste young woman who faces a difficult decision when her brother is sentenced to death for fornication. Her dedication to truth, loyalty and faith guide her. Her character is the force that transforms corruption to merciful justice.
MARIANA: 25-35 supposed to marry Angelo, but he called the wedding off when she lost her dowry in a shipwreck that killed her brother. She’s kind and forgiving.
MISTRESS OVERDONE: 40-60 she runs a brothel in Vienna with a sense of entitlement that is more than overdone. Funny.
POMPEY: is a clown who also works for Mistress Overdone.
PROVOST: runs the prison and is responsible for carrying out all of Angelo’s orders.
ELBOW: is a dim-witted constable who arrests people for misconduct, particularly of the sexual variety. He speaks in malapropisms and provides comic-relief throughout the play.
BERNADINE: A long-term prisoner in the jail, is sentenced to be executed together with Claudio.
JULIET: Claudio’s lover, she is pregnant with his baby
WHAT TO PREPARE
All those auditioning: Prepare a 1-2 minute Shakespearian monologue.