Our Shire Cast
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IMPORTANT: 2013 Audition dates will be January 12th & 13th 2013 Update: 1/12/2013 Looking forward to today. If you are running late, or have an issue the best way to contact us is by e-mail. You can also TRY calling (413) 992-6572 |
The 2013 Shire Cast Audition Form is online!
AUDITION DROP-IN Times
Most of our auditions are scheduled, however persons are welcome to drop in between the following times:
Currently the best time to drop in is:
If you are intending to Drop-in please still fill out an 2013 Shire Cast Audition Form. |
The Shire Cast is at the heart of Mutton and Mead’s interactive experience. Each cast member plays a character or role from the story of Robin Hood, our beloved Mutton and Mead Tavern or Nottingham Shire.
Together these characters bring the shire and the story of Robin Hood to life, through
coordinated street and stage shows and semi-scripted/ improvised interaction with festival patrons. Additionally, the Shire (Cast) puts on several shows such as the Tavern (Sing) Show and Interactive Street Dances.
WHY JOIN:
Some might say it is downright magical. You will be joining a supportive and community of fun and creative performers, committed to creating and then giving its audience a memorable experience. Also, Mutton and Mead offers both seasoned and novice actors, musicians & singers an exciting and dy
namic environment to broaden, develop and hone their craft. We provide our Shire Cast with instruction in acting technique, stage combat, period language/dialect, in-character public interaction, voice, singing as well as in medieval history. While the process is great fun, it also offers great experience to all performers alike.
AUDITIONS
Sheduled Auditions will be held in January 12th & 13th (14th snow date/ overflow)at the Montague Grange, 34 Main Street, Montague Center, MA. You will be asked to fill out the 2013 Shire Cast Audition Form. After , submitting the form, you will be contacted to schedule an audition slot. For inquiries, you can e-mail us at auditions@muttonandmead.com
Auditions will be scheduled based on the blocks of time you indicate as being available in the audition form. Your auditioning slot's length will depend on type of role you are auditoning for.
If you are interested, but are unavailable that weekend, please contact us to let us know.
Our auditions are a great time to get in touch with us if you are interested in in getting involved behind the scenes. Mutton and Mead is also seeking Theater, Stage and Set Crews, as well as other Volunteers and Interns. If you are interested in getting involved, send us an e-mail auditions@muttonandmead.com
For more information about the audition process, ways of being involved in the cast, and the show continue reading.
Please take some time to fill out our Audition Form (coming soon). This is crucial as it will allow us to schedule a time for you to audition. The sooner you get this to us the better. We like to have a preaudition communication to answer any questions you might have. Also, we would appreciate it if you took some time to help us get the word out. Tell your friends!
It is suggested that you gain a bit of familiarity with the Robin Hood legend and consider a potential character type (ie; read the Wikipedia article on Robin Hood, as well as other historical documents). Not looking for a major role? We are also seeking extras for “depth and color” and will provide training.
POTENTIAL ROLES
Main Characters: Because of the nature of this type of production, any character can be that one- “the memorable.” That being said, some characters come to Mutton and Mead’s shire with fame that might take some time to rival. Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Maid Marion to name a few. Our shire also has its famous; The Tavern Keeper and family, the executioner, Surgeon Barber, the Medicine Woman, and of course the Sheriifs bumbling guard. These characters will travel the Faire telling stories of their adventures or plights while interacting with the faire-goers. Depending on the character they might have scripted and unscripted scenes throughout the day.
Possible roles include: Robin Hood, A Merry Man/Woman, Maid Marian, Maid Marian’’s Chaperone, Maid Marion's ill father, King Richard, Prince John, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett, Alan a’’dale, The Tavern Keeper, A Tavern Wench, Tavern Cook, Washer "Wench", Nobility (king, Queen, Prince, Princess, Lady or Lord), The (evil) Sheriff, Guy Gisbourne, Sheriff”s Band miscreant, Sheriff’s (bumbling) Guard, towns person, The Black Smith, Black Smith’’s Son/Daughter, Hopeless Minstrel, Miserably Doomed townsmen/woman, The Executioner, the Surgeon Barber, the Medicine Woman, The Captured Merry man/woman, An Honest Thief, Snooty Upper-class Lady/Lord, Benevolent Noble, The Town Tinker, Spy to the Sheriff.
Fighters: In addition to interacting with fair-goers, these performers will engage in staged combat at prescribed times. These characters will be trained in safe stage combat techniques. Fights will be choreographed under the supervision of the Fight Director. All Weapons are subject to approval by the Fight Director.
Singers: Singers will be quite at home at Mutton and Mead. There is plenty of opportunity to sing both in shows ( tavern show and bawdy sing) as well as throughout the day on the streets.
Musical Talent: Music is an integral part of our cast shows and festival. We offer training and guidance based on your level of skill and desired involvement. We also offer help developing a persona or character to accompany your playing if you like.
Dance: What kind of festival would it be without dancing? We incorporate dance in our shows and teach our cast a number of period or period-esk dances to do throughout the day. We also take time during the day to teach the festival’s patrons some simple dances they can put to use when the mood strikes them.
Depth and Color: These improvisational street performers roam the Faire while interacting with the fair-goers. They provide unscripted entertainment and may assist in providing Faire information as well as storyline updates.
PREPARING FOR THE AUDITION
Actors should come with a two-minute monologue and be prepared to participate in some improvisational activities. If you sing or play an instrument please bring your instrument and a song to present.
You must provide your own music, props, and/or other materials for your audition performance. All pieces must be quick to set up, be (mostly) memorized, and should show your comic flare and ability with characterization and if possible, improvisation. During the improvisational activities, we will be looking at your ability to think on your toes, help your fellow improviser, and have fun.
JUDGING YOUR AUDITION PERFORMANCE
Sing and speak loudly and clearly, smile, and relax. Put all of your energy into your performance. Your audition will be judged based on the performance opportunities you are interested in and your actual performance.
Your main interest will be highly considered, however, our final decision will be based on which particular roles need to be filled. With the exception of individual characters, multiple people may be placed in the same type of role: Guard, Washer Wench, Townsman etc
CASTING
You will be notified if you have been accepted into the Mutton and Mead Renaissance Festival by the time and date announced at the auditions. You will also be sent an e-mail verifying all rehearsal dates.
COSTUMES, PROPS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
Mutton and Mead will provide all cast with costuming. We will work with you to help you find appropriate footwear and accessories. In the event you are interested in constructing your own costuming, or a portion of it, our costumer manager/ designer will work with you to achieve the desired results.
All performers wearing weapons of the time period must make sure that they are sheathed at all times barring performances; no threat should be perceived of said weapon. All weapons and usage of weapons must be approved by the Fight Director.
COMMITMENT
Once accepted, rehearsal times and days will be based on your role and worked out with the Theatrical team. 4 Workshops will be held, prior to Shire Cast Rehearsals (between Feb 25th and Mid May 2012) to provide professional assistance as you learn character development, history, improvisation, period dialect, public interaction, stage combat and voice. These workshops will provide the foundation for the rehearsals set to commence the later in the spring (Mid-May to dress rehearsal weekend June 16th& 17th). In an effort to respect our cast’s other commitments, you will be asked to fill out an Availability Sheet outlining your typical availability and known commitments for the season. We will use these sheets to finalize our schedule, doing our best to accommodate everyone involved. If you have a specific schedule question please send us an e-mail at auditions@muttonandmead.com
Workshops and rehearsals are designed to prepare you for the show, giving you time to work on “blocking”, projection, presence and interaction with your fellow performers and festival patrons. If warranted for your character, time will also be allotted to work on any choreographed fight/stage combat, dancing or singing. It will be your responsibility to practice in between rehearsals to improve your performance.
We understand that personal schedule conflicts may arise during the workshop and rehearsal process. Please list all potential conflicts in the Audition Availability Sheet. Unless there is an illness or emergency, we ask that all conflicts created after your commitment to the Festival be worked around workshop and rehearsal dates. We will assume all conflicts listed on your audition form are not flexible. Please take time to fill out the availability portion of the audition form carefully.
Electronic Communication:
All Shire Cast should have a valid email address. You will be provided with a Username and Login for the Mutton and Mead Website, where you will have access to Mutton and Mead Online resources. Cast communications will be facilitated through a message board on our site, and through e-mail communication.
Thank you very much- Mutton and Mead
