Auditions for Dedecus Staged Reading

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Tuesday, November 5th 2019 @ 7:00 PM

Location: Windham Middle School

DEDECUS BEING THE FIRST PART OF
The Duritia Trilogy

The staged reading of a one-act tragedy in verse
Written & directed by MATT BESSETTE

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from  7 PM to 9 PM at Windham Middle School

Further information:
ï‚· Cast: 3 women / 2 men
ï‚· Performance: Thursday, November 21 @ 7:30 PM at the BLT
ï‚· Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script
ï‚· Seeking disciplined actors with energy & sense of rhythm
ï‚· Proficiency in monologues desired
ï‚· Knowledge of scansion helpful
ï‚· Script circulation encouraged for audition preparation
ï‚· Contact matthew.a.bessette@gmail.com with questions or to request script

Come audition for the Windham Theatre Guild staged reading of Dedecus: Part I of The Duritia Trilogy, a one-act tragedy in verse! Written and directed by Matt Bessette, auditions for this experimental performance will take place on Tuesday, November 5th at 7 PM at the Windham Middle School and will consist of cold readings from the script (no prep necessary).

Dedecus tells the story of the titular medieval king who weds into royalty and redeems a crime-ridden country, only to have his world come crashing down after the reemergence of an old nemesis. His quick-witted daughter comes to the realization that all what she once thought true is a lie, and tragedy quickly follows.

Characters:

·         Duritia (female): 16, played by mid teens–early 20s

·         Venari (male): 39, played by late 30s–late 40s

·         Dedecus (male): 40, played by late 30s–late 40s

·         Timore (female): 38, played by mid 30s–mid 40s

·         Audacia (female): 19, played by late teens–mid 20s

The performance will take place on Thursday, November 21st at 7:30 PM at the Burton Leavitt Theatre. Due to the nature of staged readings, there will be about eight total table work rehearsals (7–9 pm).

Bessette experiments with form in this play; each of the five speaking characters bears a unique metrical form, rhyme scheme, and stanza type—which contribute to their distinct rhythms and rhymes. In addition to their poetic differences, they each also bear a unique Latin name, tragic flaw, and Jungian archetype—which contribute to their diverse personalities and weaknesses. Furthermore, inspired by medieval and (later) Strindbergian station dramas, the scenic locales are organized in a palindromic structure (ABCDCBA)—so that Duritia’s journey comes full-circle and the play ends in exactly the same place it started. In essence, the dramatic structure reinforces her tragic and cynical sense of failure and doubt.

That said, Bessette is seeking disciplined actors with energy and sense of rhythm who are comfortable with metered poetry (experience with reading/performing Shakespeare is ideal). Proficiency in monologues is desired, and knowledge of scansion is helpful.

Script circulation for audition preparation is encouraged, so please contact matthew.a.bessette@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to request a copy of the script!