Napa Valley College (NVC) Performing Arts and Shakespeare Napa Valley (SNV) Student Company are accepting audition videos for the summer production, “Shakespeare Summer Stroll.” The deadline to submit audition videos is Monday, May 24 at 11:59 p.m.
The production of “Shakespeare Summer Stroll” will take place outdoors at diRosa Center for Contemporary Art on July 16, 17 and 18, 2021. A unique opportunity for actors and audience alike, the performance will feature Shakespearean monologues, scenes and sonnets interwoven with the art exhibits and sculpture park on display throughout the 217-acre property in the Carneros region.
To submit an audition video, prepare a one- to two-minute video performing a Shakespeare monologue, sonnet or the prologue from Henry V. Send video link to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021.
Those cast in the production must be 16 years or older and must enroll in the corresponding Napa Valley College Theater Arts course upon admission. Virtual rehearsals will begin Monday, June 14 and move to in-person rehearsals at di Rosa beginning July 6.
The production will be directed by Olivia Cowell, NVC Theater Arts adjunct instructor.
Prologue from Henry V:
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels,
Leash’d in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire
Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all,
The flat unraised spirits that have dared
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object: can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt?
O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million;
And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
On your imaginary forces work.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls
Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
Into a thousand parts divide on man,
And make imaginary puissance;
Think when we talk of horses, that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i’ the receiving earth;
For ’tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there; jumping o’er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years
Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
Admit me Chorus to this history;
Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.