SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Book by John O'Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick
Music and Lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical comedy, Something Rotten!, hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years". Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known 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

AUDITION INFORMATION

Check out the information below if you are interested in auditioning for Dubuque Senior’s production of SOMETHING ROTTEN! Rehearsals for the SOMETHING ROTTEN! will be from August 24 – November 5. Performances will be NOVEMBER 6, 7 & 8. Please contact the creative team if you have any questions about the show. 
AUDITION RESOURCES:
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical comedy, Something Rotten!, hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years". Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known 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.

IMPORTANT DATES:
  • Tuesday, May 19 - Audition Workshop (3:00 - 5:00 PM) in the auditorium
  • Thursday, May 21 - Auditions (2:30 - 5:30 PM) in the auditorium *sign up for a specific audition time on the callboard
  • Tuesday, May 26 - Callbacks (2:30 - 5:00 PM) in the auditorium
  • Monday, June 1 - Cast list posted on the callboard
  • August 24 - October 23 - rehearsals
  • October 25 - November 5 - Tech rehearsals
  • November 6 - 8 - Performances
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​CREATIVE TEAM
AUDITION WORKSHOP
  • Tuesday, May 19 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM in the auditorium
  • The audition workshop will help you to learn the audition materials for the show, including the dance sequence, auditions sides, and songs.
  • Workshop attendance is not required, but it will help you to be confident in your audition.  
  • If you are not available for the workshop, you may still audition for the show. Audition materials will also be available on the website after the workshop.
  • If you are not sure about auditioning, you are encouraged to come to the audition workshop anyway. This is a great chance to figure out your interest level and learn what the audition will be like.
  • You are encouraged to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes/shoes that you can dance in. 
AUDITION PROCESS
  • Auditions will be held on Thursday, May 21 in the auditorium
  • Sign up for an audition time on the online callboard (www.dubuqueseniordrama.com). The sign-up sheet will be available by May 1
  • Submit an audition form before your audition time on the online callboard.
  • Your audition will include the following…
    • Audition sides (readings from the script)
    • Dance sequence
    • Song from the show (cuts available after the audition workshop)
  • If you are not available for the audition day, please contact Mr. Dean ([email protected]) to set up an alternative audition time. Our goal is to ensure that everyone interested has an opportunity to audition.
  • Callbacks may be held for certain roles on Tuesday, May 26. A callback list will be posted on the online callboard on Friday, May 22 by 9:00 PM. Callbacks will only be held for certain roles. All those that audition should check the full cast list when it is released.
  • The cast list will be posted on Monday, June 1 on the online callboard.  
​REHEARSAL INFORMATION
  • Rehearsals officially begin on Monday, August 24. Not all actors will be called for every rehearsal. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be released prior to rehearsals beginning.
  • The typical rehearsal schedule will be:
    • Mondays, Wednesday, & Fridays from 2:30 – 5:00 PM
    • Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
  • It is important to submit a list of ALL potential schedule conflicts on your online audition form. Our goal will be to schedule around as many conflicts as possible. However, this is only possible when you submit an accurate list of your rehearsal conflicts. Be specific and thorough!
  • Conflicts do play a part of the casting process. Attendance at rehearsals must be a priority. Not all athletic and activity schedules will work with our rehearsal schedule. Please consult your coaches, bosses, and parents prior to auditioning.
  • If you are participating in a fall sport, please talk with your coach before you audition for the show to ensure the schedule will work. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Dean for more information.   
  • All actors will be required to assist with 10 hours of crew over the course of the production, helping with costumes, props, set, lights, paint, publicity, sound, or more. Our productions would not be possible without the work of many students, onstage and off.
  • Technical Rehearsals begin on Monday, October 26 and continue until Thursday, November 5.  ABSOLUTELY NO ABSENCES WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THESE TECHNICAL REHEARSALS. These rehearsals are essential to the success of the production. Please consider this before you audition. If you cannot commit to the hours required, you will not be able to contribute to the production’s success.
​CASTING POLICY
All Dubuque Senior students are eligible to be cast in Dubuque Senior Drama productions. Casting decisions are determined through collaboration between members of the creative team for the production. The creative team includes the director, music director, choreographer, and conductor. The directors cast students with the talents and qualities appropriate for a given role regardless of that student’s year in school. In the casting process, the creative team considers potential cast members on standards of acting, singing, and dancing, as well as work ethic, morale, and availability to attend rehearsals. Casting decisions will not be made based on external factors (for example, past work with older siblings, how many crew hours a student has put in, or family donations to the program). The goal in the casting process is for the creative team to choose the most qualified individuals for each role (leading, supporting, and/or ensemble), consistent with the vocal, acting, and physical requirements of the role, as well as the concept of the role and/or production envisioned by the creative team. If a student has a question about his or her casting, the student should contact the creative team. 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
  • Nick Bottom (Male) - 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. 
  • Nigel Bottom (Male) - Nick’s younger brother. A sweetly naïve young writer and poet, perhaps a little awkward. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love.
  • Bea (Female) - Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man”. She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision-making and lack of success. Bea dresses up like a male to make ends meet and to prove to Nick she can be an actor.
  • Shakespeare (Male) - A renaissance rock star. Think Mick Jagger.
  • Nostradamus (Male or Female) - A soothsayer who almost sees the future correctly. A bit loony. Predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a comedic actor who sings and moves very well.
  • Portia (Female) - An adorably quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry.
  • Minstrel (Male or Female) - Our narrator and expert on all things Renaissance.
  • Brother Jeremiah (Male) - Portia’s uptight father. A staunch puritan who thinks that Nick and Nigel’s plays are sinful.
  • Lord/Lady Clapham (Male or Female) - A posh patron of the theatre.
  • Shylock (Male) - An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt.
  • Ensemble (Male and Female) - A myriad of characters, including townspeople, actors, singers, dancers, tappers, eggs, and much more. Many opportunities for featured/solo singing, dancing, and dialogue. Ensemble members are crucial to the story, and will act, sing, and dance frequently throughout the show. 
DUBUQUE SENIOR DRAMA
1800 CLARKE DRIVE, DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001
WWW.DUBUQUESENIORDRAMA.COM  
@DBQSENIORDRAMA 
 [email protected]