Auditions - the Taming of the Shrew

The "Shrew" of the play.  A tough horse-wrangler on Minola Ranch, older daughter of Baptista.  Kate has a sharp tongue and a temper, and extreme self-assurance and assertiveness in every situation.  In her society, this makes her a tougher choice for a wife than, say, one who absolutely would not knock a man flat.  Principal female. 

Owner of Minola Ranch.  Wealthy and independent; devoted but frustrated mom to two daughters of marriageable age in an era and locale requiring men and women to come together as pioneering teammates. Determined to secure both her daughters’ good provision and treatment.  Mature character female, supporting role. 

Katherine’s suitor.  Manager and star of his late parents’ “Rodeo and Juliet Wild West Show”.  Bull-rider and slinger.  Charming and roguish comedic daredevil entertainer, witty and engaging.  Special spark to get Katherine to the altar without her bolting.  

Principal male. 

Kate’s younger sister, the golden prize playgirl of Padua.  A coy, feminine demeanor all the better to dangle boyfriends.  Easily bored, rather shallow, living for the moment, and holding out for her choice to come along.  Secondary romantic lead female. 

Bianca’s suitor, newly come to Padua as a student.  A wealthy, love-besotted college kid used to getting his way; he disguises himself as a tutor (“Cambio”) to get close to his beloved.  Secondary romantic lead male. 

Lucentio’s crafty sidekick who affects Lucentio’s identity to formally woo Bianca formally to her mother.  Major supporting trickster character. 

Petruchio’s pardner; clown of “Rodeo & Juliet Wild West Show”.  High comedy pugnaciousness, ready to throw a punch on demand.  Major supporting character. 

Bianca’s suitor.  An oil baron and man of respect.  The wealthiest man in Padua and environs and also one of the oldest.  Major supporting character (senior aged). 

Bianca’s suitor.  Talent manager for the Saloon, where most of the play’s action takes place.  Confident his relative youth compared to his other (known) rival in romance will factor in his favor. Disguises himself as music tutor “Licio” to get closer to Bianca.  Major supporting character. 

Lucentio’s father, he turns up later in the play looking for his son.  Very wealthy gold mine owner, tough as leather, not above getting physical with people he thinks are trying to con or fraud him.  Minor supporting character. 

The grandly-rich owner of the Saloon, later Hortensio’s wife.  The hostess with the mostes’ to her patrons (unless she needs to have them chucked out), she tends to instill some intimidation in a few of her employees.  Visible part of the ensemble, cameo with lines in the final scene. 

Petruchio’s house manager at his homestead.  Lively and good-humored, polite and efficient, flexible when it comes to Petruchio’s changeable moods.  Minor supporting character. 

A visitor to Padua who is hired to impersonate Vincentio.  Sober and gullible, later obnoxiously drunk as a lord.  Minor broad-comedy supporting character. 

Padua’s best clothier and foremost fashionista.  Camp start; brawling finish.  Broad-comedy cameo. 

Ensemble of raucous saloon patrons, card sharps, servers, entertainers, wranglers, desperadoes, lawmen, and working locals.  Characters galore!  Fewer rehearsals!  Easy audition!  No scene sides reading required!  If you have a specialty, please be ready to perform it at audition! 

Scene sides will be provided, but please have a short, memorized passage ready if requested.  This includes Ensemble players - for all performers, a few lines from your favorite Western will do nicely, just to get a sense of your delivery and performance style.  (Whatever the source, please keep it rated PG.)  A minute or so is much appreciated!