Henry VI.i - One Rehearsal Show
Audition Details
Audition Details
Please read the full audition details below before submitting!
We are excited to be casting for Henry VI.i - to be performed on Sunday May 25, 2025 (venue details tbd), Austin, TX. The show will rehearse once, on Saturday May 24. We ask that you keep both full days open, so we can schedule the rehearsal and call times based on space availability.
Blocking, dramaturgy, character work, costuming, etc will all be done through google sheets/forms/docs. We will have two full cast read throughs on Zoom (one in March to create a line-learning resource for actors and one in May to check line and character progress) and 2 one-on-one character meetings through zoom, each. Beyond that, you will be free to get together in groups or with the director to chat, run lines, etc, but there will be no other scheduled formal rehearsals. This is a fully memorized and blocked performance, not a staged reading.
This production format is not for everyone, and may seem intimidating, but please know the team will offer all the support we can through the process, and the goal of this is to have fun in a whirlwind weekend of Shakespeare.
All roles will receive a $100 honorarium for the show; any travel expenses will be the responsibility of the actor.
We encourage actors of all races, gender identities, sizes, abilities, and ages to audition.
Show summary, character descriptions, and styling vision available below. Additionally, please feel free to peruse the script (note, this edit is subject to change slightly before being sent as a final version to the cast.)
To audition, please complete the google form and either
A. email a video to [email protected] (drive file or unlisted youtube links work best)
B. sign up to attend our live zoom audition block on Sunday, February 2 from 12-2pm central
Your video should contain two contrasting Shakespeare monologues (at least one must be from Henry VI.i, some suggested pieces are provided here, the other can be from any Shakespeare or Early Modern play.). In this virtual process, we want to see as much range as you have to offer.
Submission Deadline: 10pm - Sunday, February 2
You will be notified of callbacks through email by Monday, February 3 at the latest.
Feel free to email [email protected] with any questions or to request accommodations to the audition form.
We are excited to be casting for Henry VI.i - to be performed on Sunday May 25, 2025 (venue details tbd), Austin, TX. The show will rehearse once, on Saturday May 24. We ask that you keep both full days open, so we can schedule the rehearsal and call times based on space availability.
Blocking, dramaturgy, character work, costuming, etc will all be done through google sheets/forms/docs. We will have two full cast read throughs on Zoom (one in March to create a line-learning resource for actors and one in May to check line and character progress) and 2 one-on-one character meetings through zoom, each. Beyond that, you will be free to get together in groups or with the director to chat, run lines, etc, but there will be no other scheduled formal rehearsals. This is a fully memorized and blocked performance, not a staged reading.
This production format is not for everyone, and may seem intimidating, but please know the team will offer all the support we can through the process, and the goal of this is to have fun in a whirlwind weekend of Shakespeare.
All roles will receive a $100 honorarium for the show; any travel expenses will be the responsibility of the actor.
We encourage actors of all races, gender identities, sizes, abilities, and ages to audition.
Show summary, character descriptions, and styling vision available below. Additionally, please feel free to peruse the script (note, this edit is subject to change slightly before being sent as a final version to the cast.)
To audition, please complete the google form and either
A. email a video to [email protected] (drive file or unlisted youtube links work best)
B. sign up to attend our live zoom audition block on Sunday, February 2 from 12-2pm central
Your video should contain two contrasting Shakespeare monologues (at least one must be from Henry VI.i, some suggested pieces are provided here, the other can be from any Shakespeare or Early Modern play.). In this virtual process, we want to see as much range as you have to offer.
Submission Deadline: 10pm - Sunday, February 2
You will be notified of callbacks through email by Monday, February 3 at the latest.
Feel free to email [email protected] with any questions or to request accommodations to the audition form.
SHOW SUMMARY
Henry the 5th (of St Crispin's Day and conquering France fame) has just died, leaving his young son in charge of the English throne. Since he's a literal child, plenty of grown ups are ready to step in and lead England for him. The trouble is that none of them can agree on anything except for the fact that they're quickly losing control of France and they want to keep it.
In France, a mysterious woman named Joan lends her services to the Dauphin to help take back their country from English rule. Her supernatural strength helps as the French battle back and forth with the English hero Talbot.
Back in England, tensions grow when claims to the throne are brought up by Richard Plantagenet. He and the Duke of Somerset argue over the claim, encouraging their supporters to show loyalty by wearing a white rose and red rose, respectively.
In France, spirits fail to fight on Joan's behalf, and they lose their fight. Joan is burned at the stake while King Charles accepts a peace treaty. Suffolk brings a young frenchwoman named Margaret to England to marry King Henry, and nothing could possibly go wrong about that.
SHOW VISION
We really want to heighten the divide between England and France as it would appear to Henry VI, being a child, influenced by the adults around him. This is a story about a leader who is torn in too many directions and a country desperately trying to hold onto a legacy of its past strength. The show will begin during Henry V's funeral as a standard period piece, but as news starts to come of France's revolt, we will start to see the characters as they'd appear to young Henry.
England will be styled like a Lisa Frank Circus. Bright neon fishnet and tulle, leggings and tunics of all different colors and patterns. They are the brightness, the heroes.
France will be styled like a Tim Burton Movie. Black and White, harsh textured patterns, metal accessories. They are the enemy, the monsters.
Only when Joan is burned and the facade stripped away will Henry learn that there are actual consequences to being pushed around by his advisors. The costuming will return to period, and Henry will grow up to face his future as a King.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
We know a lot of these characters have roots in real history and history of performance, but we have the absolute freedom to make them our own. Pronouns/ages/etc can be changed at will based on actor comfort. All roles are open to actors of all races, genders, ages, sizes, and physical abilities.
The English
The French
Henry the 5th (of St Crispin's Day and conquering France fame) has just died, leaving his young son in charge of the English throne. Since he's a literal child, plenty of grown ups are ready to step in and lead England for him. The trouble is that none of them can agree on anything except for the fact that they're quickly losing control of France and they want to keep it.
In France, a mysterious woman named Joan lends her services to the Dauphin to help take back their country from English rule. Her supernatural strength helps as the French battle back and forth with the English hero Talbot.
Back in England, tensions grow when claims to the throne are brought up by Richard Plantagenet. He and the Duke of Somerset argue over the claim, encouraging their supporters to show loyalty by wearing a white rose and red rose, respectively.
In France, spirits fail to fight on Joan's behalf, and they lose their fight. Joan is burned at the stake while King Charles accepts a peace treaty. Suffolk brings a young frenchwoman named Margaret to England to marry King Henry, and nothing could possibly go wrong about that.
SHOW VISION
We really want to heighten the divide between England and France as it would appear to Henry VI, being a child, influenced by the adults around him. This is a story about a leader who is torn in too many directions and a country desperately trying to hold onto a legacy of its past strength. The show will begin during Henry V's funeral as a standard period piece, but as news starts to come of France's revolt, we will start to see the characters as they'd appear to young Henry.
England will be styled like a Lisa Frank Circus. Bright neon fishnet and tulle, leggings and tunics of all different colors and patterns. They are the brightness, the heroes.
France will be styled like a Tim Burton Movie. Black and White, harsh textured patterns, metal accessories. They are the enemy, the monsters.
Only when Joan is burned and the facade stripped away will Henry learn that there are actual consequences to being pushed around by his advisors. The costuming will return to period, and Henry will grow up to face his future as a King.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
We know a lot of these characters have roots in real history and history of performance, but we have the absolute freedom to make them our own. Pronouns/ages/etc can be changed at will based on actor comfort. All roles are open to actors of all races, genders, ages, sizes, and physical abilities.
The English
- King Henry - casting an actor to look around 8-10 years old. Must be able to deliver about 15 short lines and 1 longer speech (can be cut down/accommodated), as well as sit and watch the majority of the show in character.
- King Henry - also casting an adult actor to portray Henry 6 at the end of the play.
- Talbot, Salisbury, Gargrave, Bedford, Burgundy, Fastolf, John Talbot, Watch - English warriors, fighting to keep France. Some die, some live, some are brave, some are cowards, some are loyal, some switch sides.
- Gloucester - The Lord Protector of young Henry 6 - thinks Winchester is trying to take too much power, doesn't believe the church has any strength or ability to protect and guide England.
- Winchester - A priest - thinks Gloucester has too much power over Henry 6's decisions, and wants to lock Henry up in a tower and take control.
- Warder, Servingmen, Woodville - common citizens who've picked sides in the Gloucester/Winchester clash. Unruly, heated.
- Mayor - trying as hard as they can to settle the fights between Gloucester and Winchesters supporters (failing)
- Suffolk - starts by trying to unite the feuding nobles in both arguments, but when he sees something that HE wants, he throws away all allegiance to England and works only for himself to get Margaret's love.
- Plantagenet/York - of the white rose faction: supports Edward III (his ancestor)'s line and claim to the throne. Lets this debate get in the way of supporting Talbot in France.
- Somerset - of the red rose faction: supports King Henry VI's line and claim to the throne. Lets this debate get in the way of supporting Talbot in France.
- Warwick, Vernon, Basset - nobles who've picked sides in the White Rose/Red Rose clash - always digging into each other, ready to fight each other instead of France.
- Messengers - there is a LOT happening. They're here to tell us about it.
The French
- Charles the Dauphin - trying to lead his country in taking back France from English rule now that King Henry V has died.
- Joan Pucelle - the greatest warrior and strategist France has ever seen. She speaks of power beyond mortal nature, claims being chosen and gifted by the gods with strength and skill. She almost leads France to victory, but in a crucial moment the spirits she calls on desert her and she ends up being burned at the stake by English nobles.
- Alanson, Reignier, Bastard, Master Gunner, Soldier, Boy - French nobles and warriors, trying to win back France from English rule.
- Shepherd - claims to be Joan's father, begs for her to acknowledge him while she's being executed.
- Fiends - the spirits Joan calls on, who don't help her in her final battle.