Production and Audition Information

A NextStop Theatre Company Production

Sponsored by Reston Town Center and the Reston Community Center

A free-for-all production to be performed in the amphitheater at Reston Town Center

April 29, 30th and May 1st at 7:30pm

Directed by Christopher Michael Richardson

Produced by Evan Hoffmann

In 2019, NextStop Theatre Company was approached by the management of the Reston Town Center to bring free live theater to the Reston community. A production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was envisioned in a vein similar to the Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park program. Unfortunately, the program was postponed from it’s originally scheduled Summer 2020 dates due to the pandemic.

Flash forward to 2022 and Reston Town Center is eager and ready to finally bring this vision to life.

FROM CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL RICHARDSON (DIRECTOR)

This production of Midsummer celebrates the boundless potential of community.

We can’t do it alone! Just like the lovers, the faeries, and the Mechanicals of Midsummer need their community onstage (and the audience offstage) to help them find their way. I am very interested in celebrating one of Shakespeare’s most loved plays with actors who are ready to work together to share the joys of live theatre with the Reston community. Be ready to play, grow, and find the path to communal joy and freedom in our production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

CASTING

We are seeking eight exceptional non-Equity actors to play the following roles:

  • Oberon/Theseus

  • Titania/Hippolyta

  • Helena/Rude Mechanical

  • Hermia/Rude Mechanical

  • Demetrius/Rude Mechanical

  • Lysander/Rude Mechanical

  • Puck

  • Bottom/Egeus

SUBMITTING

We know that video submissions can cause stress, but rest assured we are focused on your acting and navigation of the text!

Fret not about elaborate light setups, costume changes, or even being off book.

We just ask that you be comfortable with the scene (knowing what’s going on, what you want, etc.), that you film horizontally, that your face is clearly visible, and that you send us YOUR best take on the material!

Click here for sides for Oberon, Titania, Puck, Egeus/Bottom

Click here for sides for Helena, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius

NOTE: If you’re submitting for multiple roles, please submit ONE SIDE for each role you’re interested in.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

  • For Puck, Hermia, and Helena: Please Record BOTH sides

  • For Titania, Oberon, and Lysande and ONE of ther: Please Record the Monologue AND The Scene

  • For Bottom: Please Record the Egeus Side and ONE of the Bottom Sides

  • For Demetrius: Please Record the Monologue and pick ONE of the scenes.

We’re using this opportunity to highlight BIPOC performers in our community and we will consider actors for any role regardless of gender identity, ability level, or background.

DATES

Rehearsals will be held weeknights and on weekends beginning in the last week of March or first week of April. The final schedule will take into consideration the availability and preferences of the selected cast.

Technical Rehearsals in the outdoor venue will be held April 24-28, 2022.

Performances are scheduled for the weekend of April 29, 30, and May 1 at 7:30pm.

ACTOR SUBMISSIONS

If you wish to submit for this production, please send your recorded sides, a current picture or headshot, and a resume to casting@nextstoptheatre.org. Our first round of auditions will likely be conducted entirely via video submissions. Please let us know if video submission presents particular challenges for you and we will be happy to work with you to resolve them.

COMPENSATION

All members of the cast will be offered an equal stipend of $1,000 for the rehearsal process and three performances. We are also looking for two understudies, who will receive a $700 stipend for the rehearsal process and will receive additional compensation, should they be asked to step into a role.