Theatre Casting Call for "The Tempest"

Trinculo / Shipmaster (Male identifying) Trinculo is a jester in the court of the King of Naples: but think deeply jaded, exhausted jester, not peppy jester. He spends much of the play drinking, carousing and poking holes in the budding relationship between his long-time friend, Stephano (the King’s butler), and Caliban – a native of the island where they are stranded. Strong language and comedic skills. Covers: Track 3 - Alonso

Stephano, butler to the King of Naples/ Mariner (male identifying) After their ship crashes at sea, Stephano finds himself lost on a desert island. Because he managed to swim ashore with a cask of wine, he navigates the island by drinking and sharing his booze. When he meets Caliban, a native of the island, he becomes invested in a plot to murder Prospero and take over as ruler of the island. Excellent comedic skills. Covers: Track 7 - Gonzalo

Alonso, King of Naples (male identifying) After their ship crashes at sea, Alonso believes his son and heir has drowned. His moral center reveals itself as the grief from the loss nearly overwhelms him. Through the course of the story, he also comes face to face with his complicity in the ouster of Prospero from the throne of Milan – and seeks redemption. He wears his authority easily. Possible Cover: Track 8 - Prospero

Sebastian, brother to the King of Naples (male identifying) When the King’s posse is shipwrecked at sea, Sebastian finds himself stuck with them on a desert island. He is quickly presented with the idea of assassinating his brother (the King of Naples) and taking the crown for himself. He must decide to pursue or resist. Covers: Track 5 - Antonio

Antonio, Prospero’s brother and the current Duke of Milan (male identifying) When he finds himself stranded on a desert island with the surviving members of the King of Naples’ court, Antonio lures Sebastian (the King’s brother) into an attempted assassination plot. The story brings him face to face with his brother, Prospero, and the political and personal betrayal he executed many years ago. Conniving, cynical. Covers: Track 2 - Stephano

Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Naples (male identifying) When their ship wrecks at sea, Ferdinand finds himself completely alone on a desert island. He quickly comes across Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, and falls head over heels for her. But Prospero puts him through his paces before he is deemed worthy for marriage. Ferdinand has a solid moral core and operates from a position of sweetness and decency. Covers: Track 4 - Sebastian

Gonzalo (female identifying) The most trusted Councilor of Alonso, the King of Naples, Gonzalo has a strong moral core. When the King’s posse is stranded on a desert island, Gonzalo’s response is to look for the positives in the situation and to protect the King. When she is finally reunited with Prospero/a at the end, tears flow - there is genuine compassion in this human who has spent her life in the halls of power. Possible cover: Track 8 - Prospera

Prospero/a, former Duke or Duchess of Milan. When they became more engrossed with their studies of the occult and magic than in governing the state, Prospero/a’s brother stepped in and stole the throne. Prospero/a was set on a rickety boat with their young daughter and thrust out to sea. For the past 12 years, they have been stuck on a deserted island but has continued to hone and deploy their magical powers.

Miranda, Prospero’s daughter (female identifying) (may cover pianist/singer) Miranda spent her formative years on a desert island, with her father, Prospero as her teacher, protector and provider. When a ship crashes off their shore, and a handsome, young man wanders ashore she is instantly smitten and has to navigate around her father’s wariness. Growing up in this environment has shaped Miranda as natural, grounded and open – but fully able to carry a load of firewood without breaking a sweat.

Ariel / Mariner (female identifying or non-binary) When they refused to perform the most debased work of the witch Sycorax, Ariel was trapped inside a tree on a deserted island. Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, freed them and they now spends their days carrying out his magical and imaginative deeds. But Prospero also promised to free them in two days, and as that deadline approaches, their patience begins to wear.

Caliban / Mariner (male identifying) Caliban was born the son of the powerful witch, Sycorax and grew up on a deserted island. When Prospero and his young daughter, Miranda, arrived on the island – Caliban initially befriended them and showed Prospero the secrets of the environs. But as Miranda grew, Caliban’s attraction to her also grew, and when he made a pass at her, Prospero used his magical powers to punish and ultimately enslave Caliban.

Adrian / Boatswain (male identifying) Adrian is a member of the court that serves the King of Naples. He is grounded, attentive and ready to move into action when needed. The Boatswain is trying to keep the King’s ship from crashing at sea but has zero patience for the courtiers that are panicking during the storm. Salty, earthy, no-nonsense. Covers: Track 1 - Trinculo / Shipmaster

Singer/Pianist. A soulful singer and jazz pianist who weaves the action of the play together with haunting renditions of jazz standards. Helpful if they are comfortable improvising musically.

Offstage Understudy (female identifying) Covers: Track 9 - Miranda (Prospero’s earthy and natural young daughter) Track 10 - Ariel / Mariner (the magical and strong spirit that carries out Prospero’s magic spells), possible cover for Track 13 - Singer/Pianist should sing and play the piano. [While it’s not a requirement that this actor sing and play the piano, if they do, we would like to see that in auditions]

Offstage Understudy (male identifying) Covers Track 6 - Ferdinand: the son and heir of the King of Naples. Ferdinand has a strong moral core, and sense of decency. He falls quickly for Miranda. Track 12 - Adrian/Boatswain: earthy, salty and ready for action. Track 11- Caliban / Mariner: an enslaved native of the island, who is plotting the assassination of Prospero to regain his freedom.