Character Breakdown - “Something Rotten”
Theatre UP encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description. For this production, performers must be 16+. Ages listed below are a guide only and may not reflect final casting.
Nick Bottom - A struggling renaissance writer. Nigel’s older brother. Male. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. Seeking a great comedic actor who sings, tap dance skill a plus.
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: A2 - G4
Nigel Bottom - Nick’s sweet, naive younger brother, perhaps a little awkward. Also a writer. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Seeking a great comedic actor who sings very well. Male
Age: 25 to 40 Vocal range: Eb3 - A4
Bea - Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man”. She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a male to make ends meet and to prove to Nick she can be an actor. Seeking a comedic actress who sings well. Female
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: D3 - D5 (Belter)
Portia - An adorably quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Seeking a great comedic actress who sings very well. Female
Age: 20 to 35 Vocal range: G3 - F#5
Shakespeare - The Bard. Over the top with a huge ego. A renaissance rock star. Think Mick Jagger or James Brown. Seeking a comedic actor with a killer pop/rock voice, tap dance skills a plus. Tap dance skills a plus. Male.
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: Ab2 - Ab4
Nostradamus - A soothsayer who almost sees the future correctly. A bit loony. He predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Amazing Comic Timing. Seeking a comedic actor who sings and moves very well. Male (Could be played by a woman).
Age: 35 to 60 Vocal range: C2 - A4
Brother Jeremiah - Portia's father. A Puritan who thinks Nick and Nigel's plays are sinful. Male (Could be played by a woman)
Age: 40 to 65 Vocal Range: G3 - G4
Lord Clapham - A posh patron of the theater. (Could be Lady Clapham)
Shylock - A Jewish investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Male
A Minstrel - Male (Could be played by a woman)
Age: Open Vocal Range C#3 - A4
Ensemble - PLEASE READ!!
Theatre UP encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description. For this production, performers must be 16+. Ages listed below are a guide only and may not reflect final casting.
Nick Bottom - A struggling renaissance writer. Nigel’s older brother. Male. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. Seeking a great comedic actor who sings, tap dance skill a plus.
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: A2 - G4
Nigel Bottom - Nick’s sweet, naive younger brother, perhaps a little awkward. Also a writer. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Seeking a great comedic actor who sings very well. Male
Age: 25 to 40 Vocal range: Eb3 - A4
Bea - Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man”. She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a male to make ends meet and to prove to Nick she can be an actor. Seeking a comedic actress who sings well. Female
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: D3 - D5 (Belter)
Portia - An adorably quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Seeking a great comedic actress who sings very well. Female
Age: 20 to 35 Vocal range: G3 - F#5
Shakespeare - The Bard. Over the top with a huge ego. A renaissance rock star. Think Mick Jagger or James Brown. Seeking a comedic actor with a killer pop/rock voice, tap dance skills a plus. Tap dance skills a plus. Male.
Age: 30 to 45 Vocal range: Ab2 - Ab4
Nostradamus - A soothsayer who almost sees the future correctly. A bit loony. He predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Amazing Comic Timing. Seeking a comedic actor who sings and moves very well. Male (Could be played by a woman).
Age: 35 to 60 Vocal range: C2 - A4
Brother Jeremiah - Portia's father. A Puritan who thinks Nick and Nigel's plays are sinful. Male (Could be played by a woman)
Age: 40 to 65 Vocal Range: G3 - G4
Lord Clapham - A posh patron of the theater. (Could be Lady Clapham)
Shylock - A Jewish investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Male
A Minstrel - Male (Could be played by a woman)
Age: Open Vocal Range C#3 - A4
Ensemble - PLEASE READ!!
- There are MANY ensemble roles in Something Rotten. Some have individual spoken or solo singing lines and maybe have character names. Some are group only.
- There will likely be ensemble groups. For instance: Chorus, Townspeople, Tap Ensemble, Dance Ensemble, etc. We will figure out the best breakdown once we can see the whole group.
- Characters in the ensemble include:
- Bottom’s Troupe (Peter Quince, Tom Snout, Robin, etc.)
- The Bard Boys
- Puritans
- Townspeople (Psychic Woman, Astrologer, Foreman, Waitress, Doorman, Panicked Woman, Bar Patrons, etc. etc.)
- The Crowd/Chorus
- Renaissance Writers (Francis Bacon, Walter Raleigh, etc.)
- Tap Dancing Eggs, characters from famous musicals throughout history etc.
- And More!
