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'King Lear' to come to MHCC; auditions start in two weeks
The Advocate
Auditions for “King Lear” will be held Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 in the Studio Theater from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and, according to director Rick Zimmer, it was time for the Theater Department to perform another Shakespearian play.
“We have not done a Shakespearean play on the main stage of the College Theater since ‘Measure for Measure’ in 1999,” Zimmer said.
Zimmer said he was drawn to the play for a number of reasons, including an experience he had while in college.
“I saw a production of ‘King Lear’ when I was an undergrad majoring in theater,” Zimmer said. “We took a trip to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis (Minn.) It was my first real, full-blown professional production of any kind and to have it be Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy — wow. What an impression it made on me. The acting, scenery, lighting, sound all combined to create a very powerful and moving story that I can still feel and appreciate.”
After 30 years and six viewings of the play, Zimmer asked himself if he could direct a production at MHCC.
“The answer to the question helped shaped my sabbatical request to allow me the time and resources to lay the groundwork for a fully-mounted production during winter term,” Zimmer said. “That time is quickly coming to an end and it is now time to start auditioning and forming a cast to begin the challenging task of performing what many critics have called Shakespeare most difficult play. I’m always up for a challenge.”
Zimmer has already cast the parts of King Lear, Gloucester, Kent and The Fool. Sam Mowry will portray King Lear, Tom Beckett will play Kent, Michael Streeter will play Gloucester and Peter Arnetta will play The Fool. Zimmer said he has worked with all four and admires their work.
“These four parts are characters ranging in age from 50 to 80 and I wanted to cast actors who are close to those ages or able to play them believably. Obviously the part of Lear needs an actor with the training, stamina, and talent to carry off this demanding role,” Zimmer said.
“In addition, I am expecting really great learning opportunities for our students to work shoulder-to-shoulder with these experienced veteran actors. They are very much like ‘guest artists’ whose job is not only to perform but to educate. I am very lucky to have these four willing and available to take on the roles of Lear, Gloucester, Kent and the Fool.”
The remaining parts for the play are available and callbacks will be held Dec. 5, if necessary.
Actors should have ready a Shakespearian monologue that is between one and two minutes long, as well as being ready to read from the script of “King Lear.” Zimmer said, “I want to put together a cast that will generate an electrifying telling of this story.”
Rehearsals will begin Jan. 4 and performances will be Feb. 26 through March 7 in the College Theater.
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