UMass Needs Rhinos!
Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco
Translated by Derek Prouse
Directed by Rose Schwietz Malla
Rhinoceros auditions are scheduled for Feb. 9 & 10, 6:30-10:30 p.m. in BCA Room 413, with callbacks scheduled for Feb. 11 & 12, 6:30-10:30 p.m.
LOCATION CHANGE: If you’re interested in auditioning for Rhinoceros, auditions are now set to happen on the RAND THEATER STAGE, with callbacks in BCA Room 413.
Signup genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-61136362-rhinoceros#/
This May, UMass Theater presents Rhinoceros, Eugene Ionesco’s masterpiece, which was written in response to authoritarianism in mid-20th century Europe about the dangers of mindless conformity.
If you’re interested in being part of this production, sign up right now for an audition slot!
If you’re curious about this production, read on:
Director’s note
Daily life in a French village is unexpectedly interrupted when a rhinoceros barrels through, trampling pets and crushing the social order. As the villagers spout off about the pachyderm’s number of horns and racial origin, one beast becomes two, two become ten, and soon everyone succumbs to the allure of rhinoceritis: animal energy, brute force, and mindlessness. In this absurd satire of the human condition, will the kind-hearted Daisy and slovenly boozer Berenger remain steadfast in their commitment to humanist values – or succumb to the animal inside?
Ionesco’s comedic masterpiece Rhinoceros is a response to the rise of fascism and Nazism in Europe; its commentary on mindless mass movements and empty platitudinal language holds equal weight today. Our production will feature heightened text, elements of Theatre of the Absurd and magical realism, and a mix of live foley sounds and a movement chorus. Actors who want to be big, bold, and brash are a must; actors who want to get destructive and make a mess are a plus!
Character Breakdown is available on the sign up page. Please note we are looking for a foley artist as part of our cast!
What to Prepare
- 1-2 minute monologue, in a style appropriate to the theatrical era. Please no Shakespeare or hyper-contemporary monologues. Suggested playwright options: Ionesco, Suzan-Lori Parks, Friedrich Durrenmatt, Tom Stoppard, Susan Glaspell, Edward Albee, August Wilson, Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekhov, Sophie Treadwell, Henrik Ibsen, Bertolt Brecht, etc. If you’re unsure, reach out to the director at rschwietz@umass.edu.
- Auditioners will be guided through a short group movement audition as well. Please be dressed to move!
Location
- Auditions will be in 413
- Callbacks will be in the Rand and 413