AboutArlene Schulman Expertise A professional stage director and dramaturg, I`m familiar with many plays of various types. I am particularly familiar with the plays of such playwrights as Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and Neil Simon, and the musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, Jerry Herman and many other musicals, particularly those if the "Golden Age" before 1975. I am experienced in both staging and acting in comedy, drama and musicals, and can give you historical and staging information for most plays.
Experience A professional stage director and dramaturg for over 25 years in the NYC/NJ area, I have directed and acted in over a hundred plays and musicals of all kinds. I have a huge theatre library and access to info on just about any play or musical, both historically and for staging purposes.
Question Hi, I am holding auditions today for As You Like It ala 1967 Stratford Festival 'hippy' style with music (hopefully) by Bare Naked Ladies. Now that it is crunch time, many of my best male actors say they do not want to do Shakespeare. Ugh We did Twelfth Night last year and it was wonderful! So, if not enough boys show up, do you have any other ideas? We did Rumors two years ago, The Diviners, You Can't Take It With You.... Thanks!
Answer Hi Roberta,
If you are looking for another play that will include the men, I can't begin to try to suggest one for you. There are thousands of plays - comedies, dramas, mysteries, farces... - and I have no way of knowing what might be right for your company.
It does seem to me, though, that changing shows AFTER auditions is a bit backwards. After all, people come out for auditions based on the show. If the men don't audition, even if you pick another play, how will you know who to cast in it, unless you hold another audition.
Of course you can always cast As You Like It with a female cast if the male actors aren't interested (Shakespeare used an all male cast). Lots of companies have done that and it's fun to play with. It's something to think about anyway...!
