Project Overview
This is a full cast audio production of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth". The tragedy of an honest man's descent into treachery and villainy through his ambition and that of his wife. Could he have resisted? And if so, would he have stopped their murderous plans before it went too far?
The finished project will be posted to my YouTube channel and my Patreon site, and may eventually be uploaded to one of my podcast series.
As a cast member:
You will receive a credit, and an opportunity to share any links or contact information.
You may list this production on your resume.
You are welcome to use the tracks you record in your demo reels.
However, you ARE NOT allowed to upload the entire finished project to an AI program, machine, etc. I do not support or condone the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in my creative endeavors, especially generative AI and machine learning from creative works. If you have any questions about that, feel free to ask.
Who Can Audition?
Anyone! I am looking for the right actor to play the part. Whether you are brand new to acting or to Shakespeare, or whether you're classically trained with years of acting experience, I want to hear from you.
The only requirements are to come to the table willing to learn and don't let the Bard intimidate you. 🙂 Someone wrote a play and it's up to us to tell the story. That's pretty much it. 🙂 We're going to take the characters off their pedestals and make them more accessible to the audience.
Also, be open to different interpretations of the story, especially if you are used to specific traits and tropes and such. I'll give you an example: Hamlet stops wearing solid black after the first act, after swearing an oath to his father's ghost. The change in attire creates a powerful visual that challenges the "Melancholy Dane” image you may know and shows more of Hamlet's humanity. It shows us a son grieving for his father, and grief makes us do strange things.
Open Roles
All roles except Lady Macbeth are open for casting.
There are twelve roles that will not be doubled: The Three Witches, Malcolm, Macbeth, Seyton, The Gentlewoman, Banquo, Macduff, Lady Macduff, Lennox, Ross, and Angus.
All other roles will be doubled as noted in each role listing. (Doubling means you would play multiple characters.)
Notes on Auditioning
I am looking for potential, not perfection. I need to hear what you as the actor can do with the character. Sometimes what we think is a bad audition actually shows more to the director than we realize. So do your best, don't overthink it and don't worry about pronouncing names and such correctly right now. Show me what you can do.
Two helpful hints for understanding Shakespeare:
The plays were meant to be seen and heard, not just read.
When reading, stop at punctuation - not the end of the line
Only submit an audition(s) for the roles you have an interest in. Some are open to any role / all roles, and some are only open to specific role. As a fellow actor, I understand. I will not be offended if you are only interested in one or a few roles. I would rather know that up front before I assemble the cast.
Working with me
While this is an unpaid project, I take this seriously. Professional is an attitude, not a pay grade. I also want the cast to enjoy being part of this project. Let's work hard, play hard, and then enjoy the finished production. 🙂
Yes, there is much to learn about rhyme, meter, scanning, iambic pentameter, and more; however, this production is more focused on telling the story and making it accessible to an audience. So don't expect formal instruction here. 🙂 All of those things are important when working with Shakespeare, I'm not tossing them aside. But I want folks to come in without being intimidated by all of the formalities.
Information on the project
For this production, we'll be looking at the story of the play with this quote in mind:
Some stains can never be washed away.
Much like Macbeth staring at his bloody hands, or a sleepwalking Lady Macbeth desperately scrubbing her hands, this tragedy leaves many stains and scars - physical, mental, and emotional.
The blood on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's hands, and the stain on their souls and minds as the play continues.
The betrayal and murder of King Duncan and the forced exile of his sons.
The turmoil of Scotland as Macbeth takes the throne.
The murder of Banquo and of Macduff's family.
The scarring of the land as Malcolm and his allies march on Macbeth's castle to liberate Scotland.
These are all stains that cannot not be removed from a country, its people, its history, and its memories. These stains will affect the characters’ actions, worldviews, and behavior.
Script Source
We will be using the Folger Shakespeare Library text for this production, with some editing: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/macbeth/read/
A digital copy of the script will be provided to the cast before we start work.
Synopsis of the play (credit: Folger Digital Texts)
Macbeth, set primarily in Scotland, mixes witchcraft, prophecy, and murder. Three “Weïrd Sisters” appear to Macbeth and his comrade Banquo after a battle and prophesy that Macbeth will be king and that the descendants of Banquo will also reign. When Macbeth arrives at his castle, he and Lady Macbeth plot to assassinate King Duncan, soon to be their guest, so that Macbeth can become king.
After Macbeth murders Duncan, the king’s two sons flee, and Macbeth is crowned. Fearing that Banquo’s descendants will, according to the Weïrd Sisters’ predictions, take over the kingdom, Macbeth has Banquo killed. At a royal banquet that evening, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost appear covered in blood. Macbeth determines to consult the Weïrd Sisters again. They comfort him with ambiguous promises.
Another nobleman, Macduff, rides to England to join Duncan’s older son, Malcolm. Macbeth has Macduff’s wife and children murdered. Malcolm and Macduff lead an army against Macbeth, as Lady Macbeth goes mad and commits suicide.
Macbeth confronts Malcolm’s army, trusting in the Weïrd Sisters’ comforting promises. He learns that the promises are tricks, but continues to fight.
Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes Scotland’s king.
