Auditions for THOU/NATURE/ART, a new play of King Lear

THOU/NATURE/ART is a new reimagining of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, told through the lens of the forgotten son, the bastard Edmund, on his path towards becoming the Earl of Gloucester. Casting a single actor to play the role of Edmund/Cordelia, Thou, Nature Art delves into the rot at the core of the nuclear family, and the violences which sustain it. Pieces of text from the original text will be incorporated alongside original scenes, with a focus on the imperfect daughters and sons, their uses of art, and their betrayals of nature. 

The production will be a staged reading in April, exact dates TBD. Shows will take place at Bryn Mawr College, as well as in the city of Philadelphia.

We are especially seeking actors for the roles of:

• GLOUCESTER (mother, 45) - Doesn’t really understand all these new words? Conservative, a people pleaser. Mother to Edmund and Edgar.
• LEAR (father, 60s-70s) - the recently disgraced king. Quick to anger, not used to being defied. Father to Goneril, Regan and Cordelia.

We are also casting the roles of:

• *EDMUND (22, son?) - prettyboydyke returned from exile. Transgender. Lonely. Angry. Insecure, but hides it well. Impulsive. Charming.
  • / CORDELIA (22, daughter) - Or: the youngest, best Lear princess, Edmund’s childhood friend. Also lonely. Also angry.
• GONERIL (30, daughter) - corporate butch. Good with politics, bad on camera. the eldest Lear sister. 
• REGAN (29, daughter) - prettier and friendlier than Goneril. the middle Lear sister. 
• EDGAR (23, son) - nice, but struggling. Edmund’s older half-brother.
• CORNWALL (early 30s, son) - slick young nobility, a silicon valley type. Regan’s husband. 
• ENSEMBLE of all ages including REPORTER, TV CREW MEMBERS, STUDENT, KNIGHTS

*The role of Edmund/Cordelia has already been cast.

We are happy to receive submissions from actors of all identities and backgrounds who are comfortable playing these roles.

Auditions may be submitted to this form by February 15th Please prepare one monologue from King Lear and one short contemporary monologue of your choice. (King Lear selections are provided by character here—if you are interested in multiple characters, or only want to audition for ensemble roles, feel free to select the monologue that best represents your skills.) There is no need to be off-book!