Walking Shadow is headed back to Slater Park on May 24, 2020 with one of Shakespeare's hidden gems: Troilus and Cressida! It's the Trojan War, but with more romance!
For those of you new to WSSP, the process for this show is a little different than traditional productions. Time commitment is super low (only one weekend to rehearse and perform!) but it still requires strong personal commitment and work ethic to learn lines and stay in communication through the process.
The main goal, above all else, is to have so much fun getting together with people from all across the country for an unforgettable weekend of Shakespeare!
2. Choose two monologues (one must be from the given options (on form and in event), the other can be from the options or can be your personal choice) and email your video to info@walkingshadowshakespeare.com by January 15, 2020. Callback information will be sent before Jan 20.
Details: Rehearsal dates: On Zoom (like Skype, but better), based on actor availability. In Person Rehearsal: All day Saturday, May 23 Show date: Sunday, May 24 @2pm, morning reserved for rehearsal if necessary Show location: Slater Park, Pawtucket RI
Available roles below. Please note that WSSP uses nontraditional casting, and performers of all races, genders, and ages are encouraged to audition for any roles that interest them.
(Please note: the roles of Nestor and Thersites have been cast)
The Trojans CRESSIDA (16+ to match Troilus): They are very in love with Troilus, but also not a dummy. They know what they can and can’t say out loud, and knows Pandarus is a weirdo so they mess with Pandarus when they try to set Cressida up with Troilus. They’re so smart. And amazing. And a victim of a patriarchal society that doesn’t care about their wants and needs.
PRIAM (30+): Ruler of Troy. Not an active fighter in the war, worried about their children fighting but also wants them to be honorable and brave, so they support the fighting.
PANDARUS (30+): Cressida’s cousin. They’re so weird, honestly. Like, they’re a little too obsessed with getting Troilus and Cressida together.
ANDROMACHE (16+ to match Hector): Hector’s partner, begs them not to go to war on the day Hector dies because they had a dream about it...Hector doesn’t listen to them...and dies.
AENEAS, ANTENOR (20+): Commanders of the Trojan army
CALCHAS (30+): Cressida’s parent. They’ve been over on the Greek side for a while and will make any trade necessary to get Cressida over there with them BUT DOESN’T EVEN ASK WHAT CRESSIDA WANTS.
ALEXANDER (any age): Cressida’s servant and friend.
Priam’s 7 children: CASSANDRA (10+): a prophet. Sees the future, but no one takes them seriously or listens to their warnings (which prove to come true).
TROILUS (16+ to match Cressida): SO IN LOVE WITH CRESSIDA IT HURTS. Very emo about it until they get confirmation of requital, then they’re very emo about losing Cressida so soon. They’re basically Romeo, but then they slay a bunch of Greeks about it.
HECTOR (16+ to match Andromache): The strongest Trojan fighter. Honestly wants everyone to get along and doesn’t see why they’re all fighting over Helen, but is willing to defend Troy and follow through on a fight when challenged. Probably the most level headed of them all.
PARIS (16+): Honestly, they stole Helen and caused this whole war because they just wanted the most beautiful person in the world, and then they don’t really do much to maintain Troy’s position in the war. Content to just chill with Helen all the time.
DEIPHOBUS, HELENUS, MARGARELON (12+): Involved in the war councils, but not invested or appreciated enough to actually contribute much. They do join the war at the end, to varying degrees of success.
The Greeks AGAMEMNON (18+): Ruler of the Greeks, leader of the army.
ACHILLES (16+ to match Patroclus): The strongest Greek fighter but decides they just don’t wanna do much anymore besides sit in a tent with Patroclus Netflix and Chilling. The Greek council tries to get them riled up to fight again, so they challenge Hector, but really what gets them back into the fight is when Hector kills Patrcolus (spoiler alert, it’s honestly sadder than Han Solo dying).
AJAX (16+): Think of the most egotistical person you know, then double it. That’s Ajax.
DIOMEDES (16+): Cressida gets traded to them...they’re a big jerk. Sorry. Fights Troilus at the end but honestly I haven’t rewritten the ending yet to decide if they kill Troilus or not.
ULYSSES (20+): Odysseus, you know...like of “The Odyssey” fame that you all had to read in High School. Pre Trojan Horse idea they just talked a LOT in Greek war councils. MENELAUS (16+ to match Paris/Helen): Ruler of Sparta. Married to Helen, but Paris stole them...Kind of like Paris though, they don’t actually DO much in terms of war. They just get everyone else to fight.
PATROCLUS (16+ to match Achilles): They’re amazing and wonderful and don’t deserve to die but what’s Shakespeare without some sad drama.
The Others HELEN (16+): Stolen from their partner Menelaus and now living with Paris. I’m going to work a lot with the actors to create/decide how they feel about this. Did they go willingly? Was Menelaus the worst? Do they hate their life now? Is Paris the worst? They have one scene with Paris and Pandarus, but the intention is super up for interpretation. Also, I think I’m going to give them a speech at the end to support Cressida’s badass monologue.
PROLOGUE (20+): Starts the play with an absolutely brilliant monologue, it’s incredible. Also will act as 'bartender' through the show, also might be the ghost of Shakespeare and come out and school everyone at the end.
