Moorpark College Theatre Arts will hold auditions for the main stage presentation of the classic Shakespearean comedy “The Tempest.” Auditions will run Dec. 12-14 on campus. The production will run March 16-26.
“The highlight of our two-season rotation of plays is the main stage Shakespeare production,” said John Loprieno, director and Theatre Arts faculty member. “The fact that ‘Romeo & Juliet’ was canceled mid-run by the pandemic only elevated the excitement surrounding the return of Shakespeare to our main stage. The magical love story of ‘The Tempest’ has roles available for all types—comedians, romantic leads, protective fathers, fanciful monsters and beautiful sprites.”
In this classic fantasy, Prospero uses his magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Ferdinand, the King’s son thought dead in the shipwreck, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter, Miranda, through an awkwardly sweet courtship. Meanwhile, the half-man-half beast Caliban plots to rid himself of Prospero’s servitude but is thwarted by Prospero’s magical spirit-ally Ariel. After several comedic and mystical misadventures, as happens in all Shakespearean comedies, the families are reunited and all conflict is resolved for a happy ending.
Auditions will be held Dec. 12 from 3:30-6 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 6-10 p.m. with callbacks on Dec. 14 from 6-10 p.m. There will be a pre-audition workshop to review the play and audition material on Dec. 5 at 3:30 p.m. All will take place in the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center room PA-100 at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.
“The Tempest” will run March 16-26 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Cast members will be required to enroll in the three-unit Theatre Production: Performance class in the Spring semester. Tickets will be available early 2023 and can be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac.