Character descriptions!!! The ages listed are the ages of the characters, not the intended ages for performers. You will also see that some are listed as M/F or F/M which means that the gender of these characters is fluid, and both genders will be considered for those roles. So many of the roles in Shakespeare were written for men, not because women can't take them on, but because women were not allowed to perform. So we are potentially going to gender swap a few of these roles! Whoop! Gender equity y'all! Have fun prepping for auditions!!!
Rosalind (F, 20-22): Daughter of the exiled Duke Senior,
cousin to Celia. She is determined and clever. She does not wallow in self pity
when she is exiled, rather she sees it as an opportunity to make her own way in
the world. She disguises herself as Ganymede
– a young man – and runs off into the forest of Arden with her cousin. She
offers services to Orlando as a tutor in the art of romance. She is a
delightful mix of cynicism and youthful wonder. She pushes those around her to
better themselves, and doles out life lessons whether they are asked for or not.
She should be full of energy and should enjoy the game of being Ganymede.
Orlando (M, 20-24): The youngest son of Sir Rowland de Bois.
He was brought up by his older brother Oliver after the death of their father.
He is gregarious and attractive, but he is not the brightest bulb. His
education is sparse, as is his training in the ways of combat. But he gets by
on his charm and good looks, and believes that he will attain greatness. He is
a good man, kind and forgiving, eager to do the right thing. He cares for his
aging manservant and rescues his cruel brother in the forest of Arden. While he
is by no means as clever as Rosalind, his good nature and his love for her make
him a good match for her.
Duke Senior (M/F, 50-60) – The father (or mother) of
Rosalind and the rightful ruler who has been banished by his brother Frederick.
The Duke lives in the Forest of Arden with a group of nobles who are loyal to
him. The duke makes the best of whatever situation he finds himself in, he is a
bit of a philosopher and shows himself to be a benevolent ruler.
Jaques (M, 30-35) – A melancholy lord who has followed the
duke into exile. Jaques is more of an observer than a participant in life. He
stands off to the side and passes judgement on those around him. He is quiet,
but must be compelling. He alone decides to stay behind and live a solitary
life rather than returning to court with Duke Senior.
Celia (F, 18-21) – Rosalind’s cousin and the daughter of
Duke Frederick. Celia loves her cousin and would rather follow her into exile
than to be parted from her. She is kind and good, but a little daft. She
decided to disguise herself as a shepherdess and calls herself Aliena. She is
feels things deeply, sometimes to excess. In the end of the play she meets and
immediately falls for Orlando’s brother Oliver.
Duke Frederick (M, 45-50) – The brother of Duke Senior. He
usurped the throne and cast his older brother into exile. He is prone to anger
and cruelty. He looses his temper and casts Rosalind out of the court and into
exile for no real reason. He is basically the worst. But by the end of the
play, he has repented and decides to return the crown to the rightful duke.
Touchstone (F/M, 30-35) – The clown of Duke Frederick’s court
who follows Rosalind and Celia into exile. S/he is constantly pointing out the
foolishness of everyone else, but without the charm and grace that Rosalind
employs. Touchstone is dry and acerbic, and has a very broad and bawdy sense of
humor.
Oliver (M, 30) – The elder brother of Orlando and heir to
their father’s estate. He hates his brother and does his best to cause
Orlando’s downfall. He is cruel and spiteful, but he is touched by his
brother’s actions in the forest, and decides to turn his life around. He falls
in love with Celia and asks her to marry him without knowing that she is a
noblewoman.
Phoebe (F, 17-19) – A young shepherdess who falls in love
with Ganymede not knowing that it is really Rosalind in disguise. She has an
inflated sense of self, and is dismissive and manipulative to Silvius who loves
her in spite of how poorly she treats him.
Silivius (M, 17-19) – The poor young shepherd who is in love
with Phoebe, and puts up with her bad behavior and treatment of him.
Lord Amiens (M/F, 20’s) – One of the Lords who follows Duke
Senior into the forest, he loves music and plays and sings throughout the show.
Charles (M, 25) – A professional wrestler in Duke
Ferdinand’s court who is thrashed by young Orlando in a match.
Adam (M 70-80) – The old manservant who follows Orlando into
the forest. He knows how poorly Orlando has been treated and he offers to
follow him into exile and to give up his life’s savings to fund the trip.
Aubrey/Audrey (M/F, 25-30) – An attractive but simple goat
herder who is wooed by Touchstone.
Wilhelmina/William (F/M, 30) – In love with Aubrey/Audrey
