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THE TAMING OF THE SHREWPlay by William Shakespeare
Run Time: 150 minutes | Comedy
AUDITIONS: 05/31 (Sun) & 06/01 (Mon)
PERFORMANCES: 08/07 (Fri) - 08/23 (Sun)
The Taming of the Shrew is an early Shakespearean comedy about the courtship of the strong-willed Katherina (Kate) by the fortune-hunting Petruchio, who uses unconventional methods to "tame" her into an obedient wife, contrasting with the more traditional romance between her sister Bianca and Lucentio. The play opens with a framing device where a drunk tinker, Christopher Sly, is tricked into believing he is a lord, and a play is staged for him, which is the main story of Petruchio and Kate in Padua. The play is known for its bold, energetic style, and its controversial themes of marriage, gender roles, and female submission, which have been debated since its first performance.
PLOT:
Petruchio arrives in Padua to find a wealthy wife and agrees to marry the "shrewish" Katherina, who must marry before her younger sister Bianca can. He then subjects her to a series of psychological tactics, including sleep deprivation and starvation, to break her will.
CHARACTERS:
• KATHERINA (KATE): Kate is the eldest daughter of Baptista. She is well known in Padua for her wild and brash behavior. The ”shrew,” known for her fiery temper.
• PETRUCHIO: Petruchio is a gentleman from Verona. He is good friends with Hortensio and is looking for a wife. He is a witty and ruthless suitor who aims to "tame" Kate.
• BIANCA: Bianca is the youngest daughter of Baptista and Kate’s younger sister. She is known in Padua for her beauty and mild nature. She is seen as the ideal woman.
• LUCENTIO: Lucentio is a young student from Pisa who has come to Padua to study at the university. He wants to marry Bianca. As Bianca’s suitor, he disguises himself to woo her.
• TRANIO: Tranio is Lucentio’s loyal servant from Pisa. He has been brought up in Vincentio’s household.
• BAPTISTA: Baptista Minola is a very wealthy man in Padua. He has two daughters, Katherina and Bianca.
• HORTENSIO: Hortensio wants to marry Bianca. He is good friends with Petruchio and lives in Padua.
• GREMIO: Gremio is an old man who wants to marry Bianca. He is good friends with Baptista.
GRUMIO: Grumio is Petruchio’s servant. He lives in Verona.
• VINCENTIO: Vincentio is Lucentio’s father. He lives in Pisa.
THEMES: The play explores the nature of marriage, love, and power dynamics between men and women, often through a lens of deception and social convention.
CONTROVERSY:
The play's depiction of Katherina's final, obedient speech has been a source of ongoing debate and criticism regarding its portrayal of female submission.
AUDITION NOTES
No preparation needed. All auditions will be cold readings from the script and possibly some improved scenarios. Download an Audition Form at www.ltmpa.com/auditions or complete one when you arrive at LTM.
Director: ANDI CARTER | Assistant Director: BRYDEN McCURDY | Producer: ROBERT ZACCANO | STAGE MANAGER: TBD
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Event Venue
915 S York St, Mechanicsburg, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 17055
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