AUDITIONS Schedule

SYNOPSIS

Robert Bolt's Tony Award-winning play, A Man for All Seasons, is the powerful historical portrait of Sir Thomas More and his refusal, as Lord Chancellor of England, to support King Henry VIII's divorce of Catherine of Aragon (so as to marry Anne Boleyn). The divorce caused England's subsequent break from the Church of Rome. Adrift in a political sea of corruption and compromise and with his very life at stake, More risks everything to stay true to his conscience. Full of wit and intrigue, this timely play about speaking truth to power is more relevant today than ever.

ROLE BREAKDOWNS

All roles are open and will be cast without regard to race or ethnicity. Women are welcome to audition for The Common Man, although the character will be dressed as an played as a man.

Ages of the characters are their historical ages through the course of this play. Don't worry too much about them. If there is a role that resonates with you that doesn't match your "stage age", it is hoped that you'll audition for it anyway. And if your stage age and the character do match, that's fine,too! Some roles may be doubled.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS

Sir Thomas More - Male 46-57, a lawyer, author and advisor to King Henry VIII who rises to be Lord Chancellor or England. He is searingly intelligent, deeply thoughtful, complex and compassionate. He is almost always subtle and composed but becomes passionate when stirred. Atticus Finch type.

The Common Man - Male/Female 40-60, Serves the pivotal role of charismatic narrator of the show. He also plays all the working class characters in the play. He is canny, crafty and funny. He does whatever he can to survive, looking out for himself at every turn.

Thomas Cromwell - Male 41-50, Henry VIII's fixer and right-hand man. He is the only person in the play who is Thomas More's intellectual equal. Amoral and cunning, his style is subtle yet direct --- he doesn't put up with courtly airs. He is an intellectual bully and impatient with lesser minds.

Alice More - Female 52-61, Thomas More's wife. She was born into a slightly lower class than her husband. She is smart, brave, hot-hearted; a bull-dog for her family. She loves her husband deeply but also loves her place in society.

Margaret More - Female 21-30, Thomas More's daughter. Extremely intelligent, compassionate and (unusually for the time) very well-educated. She is her father's daughter in every way.

Woman - Female 30-60, A selfish, indignant woman who tries to bribe Thomas More.

Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk - Male 53-62, Former soldier; athletic. Believes in tradition, convention and duty. He is content with his own moral and intellectual insignificance; he is, after all, a nobleman! He is blustery but good-hearted and a genuine friend to the More family.

Richard Rich - Male 30-39, An academic, desperately looking to advance in the world. Rich is unhappy and easily led. His ambition is his weakness, and he is always at war with his better nature. He is hounded by self-doubt.

King Henry VIII - Male 39, Not the overweight Henry VIII from paintings --- this is an athletic Henry in his prime. He is charming, spoiled, confident, and happy. Like a "monstrous baby," he is easily delighted unless his will is opposed --- and then he wields his absolute power frighteningly.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey - Male 53, Cardinal and Lord Chancellor of England. The playwright describes him as "a big decayed body in scarlet." He will die shortly after his scene. Very intelligent with a wry sense of humor. Impatient and direct.

Eustace Chapuys - Male 36-45, A professional diplomat and lay ecclesiastic; religious, but with elastic morals. Extremely shy and always plotting, but with limited intellect.

William Roper - Male 30-39, Margaret More's fiance. Religious, passionate, self-righteous, moderately intelligent, with no sense of humor. He is painfully earnest.

Chapuy's Attendant - Male 20-40, An apprentice diplomat from a good family.

Thomas Cranmer - Male 37-46, Sharp-minded and practical. He is Archbishop of Canterbury, but for him it is an administrative job --- he has no real religious conviction.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

UPCOMING AUDITIONS:


12 Angry Jurors (TBA)
The 39 Steps (TBA)