Audition Notice: "Something Rotten"
"Something Rotten"
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Directed by Terri Kent
Music Directed by Jennifer Korecki
Choreographed by Jennifer Black
AUDITION INFORMATION
91勛圖厙 (From MTI)
Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, "Something Rotten." Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John OFarrell, "Something Rotten" was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years".
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the worlds very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
When: November 10 & 12 6-10 p.m.
Where: Kent Center for the Performing Arts (CPA), D-205
Signing Up
- Fill out and submit by Sunday, November 9 at 5 p.m.. Please be prepared to upload a headshot and performance resume (if you have one) through this form. Please indicate on your audition form which musical and/or play ("Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show" and/or "Book of Will" youd like to be considered for). At the end of the form, there will be a link to sign up for the timeslot(s).
- If you are auditioning for the musical(s) and "Book of Will," sign up for two timeslots (one for "Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show," and one for "Book of Will") in the appropriate areas of the sign-up sheet.
- Please note that if there is no audition form completed and youve signed up for a timeslot(s), you may be removed from your timeslot(s) until a form is submitted.
What to Prepare:
- Auditions are open to all Kent State students
- Auditions for "Something Rotten" and/or "Side Show" will be held together. "Book of Will" will be auditioning separately in Wright-Curtis Theatre.
- Prepare two contrasting musical selections (e.g., uptempo and ballad, or classical and contemporary). These selections should serve both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show." Each cut should be 1632 bars, with sheet music in the performers key. No a cappella singing will be permitted.
Callbacks
When: November 14 beginning at 6 p.m.
Where: Location D-205
Callbacks will consist of a dance call, sides and songs from the show. This information will be circulated when the callback list is announced; please review them in advance of the callback.
Rehearsals
Music Rehearsals: November 18-20, 2025, 6- 10 p.m.
Staging and Choreography Rehearsals: Monday Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday or Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or 12-8 p.m.
January 11-February 11, 2026
Sitzprobe: February 12, 2026
Technical Rehearsals Begin: (tentative) Friday, February 13
Performances
Friday, February 20 Sunday, February 22, and Wednesday, February 25 Sunday, March 1
Casting Statement
"Something Rotten" will be cast, according to the representation of 91勛圖厙.
Preliminary Auditions
Open to ALL 91勛圖厙 students. Auditions will be held for both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show In Concert" for the Porthouse Experience. Your audition will consist of two contrasting musical selections (e.g., uptempo and ballad, or classical and contemporary). These selections should serve both "Something Rotten" and "Side Show." Each cut should be 1632 bars, with sheet music in the performers key. No a cappella singing will be permitted.
Character Breakdown (from MTI)
Shakespeare - The Bard. Over the top with a huge ego.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Nick Bottom - A struggling writer who cannot stand Shakespeare. Nigels older brother.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Nigel Bottom - Nicks sweet younger brother. A struggling writer who falls in love with Portia, a Puritan.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Bea - Nicks wife. She loves Nick despite his past lack of success. She dresses up like a man to prove she can be an actor.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Portia - A Puritan woman who loves poetry, theater and ultimately Nigel.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 35
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Nostradamus - A soothsayer
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 50
Brother Jeremiah - Portia's father. A Puritan who thinks Nick and Nigel's plays are sinful.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Lord Clapham - A posh patron of the theater.
Gender: male
Shylock - An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt.
Gender: male
Minstrel
Gender: male
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C#3
Ensemble
Roles include: Minstrel, Townspeople, Troupe, Lord Clapham, Shylock, Man Servants, Crowd, Chorus and more.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.F.A. MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENTS
B.F.A. Musical Theatre candidates are required to audition for all theatre division main stage productions and accept roles if cast. Exemptions to the audition requirement may be granted under certain circumstances. Circumstances include but are not limited to: religious beliefs, moral objection, psychological triggers with the play, and physical concerns. In order to be exempted from the audition requirement, students must submit a written petition to the performance faculty prior to the beginning of the casting process for the production in question. The performance faculty will make a good faith effort to deliberate and come to a decision on the petition at the first performance area meeting after the receipt of the petition. At no point will a student be asked to disclose sensitive personal information.
For information on all the B.F.A. Musical Theatre requirements, please go to the following. B.F.A. Musical Theatre