Curtain Rises on Opportunity for AmDram Actors

Published on: 16 Feb, 2024
Updated on: 20 Feb, 2024

The Guildford Shakespeare Company is looking for an ensemble of “community performers” to be part of their multi-venue, promenade production of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet this summer.

The production is GSC’s most ambitious project to date. Swapping the streets of Verona for the streets of Surrey’s county town, it will feature iconic landmarks including the Guildhall balcony, Holy Trinity Church, Tunsgate, the historic High Street and Guildford Castle.

Audiences will move with the action, from one location to another, following the fateful story of the star-crossed lovers.

Alongside the professional cast, GSC are recruiting a youth ensemble from local schools and their own drama clubs, and want to form an adult community ensemble, to bring the play as fully to life as possible.

Matt Pinches, GSC Co-Founder and Director, said: “We really want our 18th birthday summer season to celebrate everything that’s positive about Guildford. Our community is at the heart of everything GSC does, whether on stage or in our huge range of outreach and education programmes.

“This is an opportunity for so many elements of Guildford to come together and be part of something special.”

The Community Ensemble will help bring to life the pivotal scene of the Capulet ball, where Juliet and Romeo meet for the first time. This is a high society party where the movers and the shakers of Verona strut their stuff and where the Capulets are showing off the best they can. Performing will involve some dancing and movement, and possibly a little dialogue.

Matt said: “If you love performing, or dancing, or just want to be part of something special, we would love to hear from you. No experience is necessary, just a desire to take part and buckets of energy.”

Casting for the unpaid roles will take place across two dates, March 23 and 25, with rehearsals beginning on Saturdays commencing May 25. Deadline for applications is March 1.

Full details of all dates, times and how to register are on the GSC website.