Fall Play

  • ROMEO & JULIET

    By William Shakespeare


    Direction by Hilerre Kirsch, Scenic Design by Anders Jacobson, Lighting Design by Dave Ferguson

    Performance Dates:
    Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:00pm
    Friday, September 19, 2025 at 7:00pm
    Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:00pm

    AUDITION INFORMATION

     

    All interested New Trier students are encouraged to audition for Romeo and Juliet, except Incoming Freshmen. To support this production which includes significant sword fighting, auditionees must attend one of the Sword Fighting Master Classes. Details below.

     

    New Trier welcomes the participation of all individuals in our programs, including those with disabilities. If you have an IEP or 504 plan with reasonable accommodations that pertain to this activity, please indicate your request on the audition form. Please indicate your IEP case manager or adviser (504 plan) so we can coordinate any supports deemed necessary.

     

    General Auditions: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 after exams from 10:45am to 4:00pm in McGee Theatre, Winnetka Campus in timeslots.

     

    WINNETKA STUDENTS: Please sign up for the earliest possible timeslot. Later timeslots should be reserved for Northfield students who need to commute, as well as students with Early Bird and Make-Up Exams. 

    Callback Auditions:

    • Sword Fighting Callbacks: Thursday, June 5, 2025 between 12:30-3:00pm in McGee Theatre, Winnetka Campus
    • Scene callbacks: Thursday, June 5, 2025 either before or after Sword Fighting Callbacks

    You must also bring a signed conflict form to the audition in order to be cast. Please review the Romeo & Juliet Production Calendar to complete your conflict form.

    SWORD FIGHTING MASTER CLASSES                                                                                             

    Thursday, May 29 & Friday May 30 from 3:45-6:00 in the Winnetka Dance Studios                                                      

    Students will attend ONE of the dates only, not both. ALL students are invited to participate in these Sword Fighting Master Classes,…HOWEVER:

    • priority in registration will be given to students intending to audition for the Fall Play                     
    • any student who intends to audition for a role in the Fall Play that may include sword fighting are REQUIRED to participate to prepare for the sword fighting audition on June 5.  

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • MANY roles will or could include sword fighting
      MOST roles will be open for gender-blind casting. So, traditionally “male” roles that require strong sword-fighting skills, could be cast with female-identifying actors.

    Sign up for one of the Sword Fighting Master Classes: https://forms.gle/fMmRx4AH5ukyKiCy9

    *Please note that students who applied for LP Board should note that on the sign up.

    WHEN ARE REHEARSALS? 

    Students who accept a role in Romeo & Juliet commit to our posted rehearsal schedule. Rehearsals begin BEFORE the start of school on August 11, 2025. Cast members should plan to be at rehearsals from 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday thru Saturday the week of August 11. Starting on Tuesday, September 9, weekday rehearsals extend to 8pm through opening night. Students will also be assigned a date to strike the set after school during the week of September 22.


    HOW DO I AUDITION?      

    1. Complete the Parent/Guardian Consent/Conflict Form
    2. Complete the AUDITION FORM.
    3. Read How to Audition for a New Trier Production from the Performing Arts webpage and this information in the packet carefully.  
    4. Prepare a monologue from this packet. See the “What about the monologue” section for additional information. YOU DO NOT NEED TO MEMORIZE YOUR MONOLOGUE. Please follow the specific directions at the top of the monologue page.
    5. Come to the audition about 15 minutes before your appointment. We will check you in and you will present your monologue for the directors. 


    WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE AUDITIONS?      

    Wear clothes that you can move in and make you look and feel good. Make sure your hair is out of your face. Do not wear costumes. Be prepared to move. In this show, students will wear character shoes or hard-soled dress shoes. Always avoid jeans, Uggs, flip-flops, or any shoes that make it difficult for you to move. 

    WHEN DOES THE CALLBACK LIST?

    The callback list will be emailed the evening of Wednesday, June 4th. Callbacks will be held on Thursday, June 5th either before or after the Sword Fighting Callbacks from 12:30-3:00pm in McGee Theatre at the Winnetka Campus.

    WHEN DOES THE CAST LIST GO UP?

    We will email you when we know when the cast list is ready. We anticipate it will be by Monday, June 16th.

     

    PARENT/GUARDIAN MEETING

    Date and Time TBD

     

    CREW APPRENTICESHIP

    All performers are required to fulfill the Crew Apprenticeship Program within one year after being cast in their first production. Students who are currently enrolled in Theatre 1 and Technical Theatre and Design or completed a full year of either course in the 2022-23 school year fulfilled their CAP in class. Please visit www.ntstagecrew.org for more information. Students who audition but are not cast in the Fall Play may still join the First Quarter Crew Apprenticeship Program. See https://www.ntstagecrew.org/about for more information and to sign up for First Quarter Crew.

     

    WHAT IF I'M NOT CAST BUT I STILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED? 

    Stage Crew is a great way to get involved with the productions. All crews are open to anyone interested, and they are a lot of fun - no prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in joining the crew, please contact Mr. Jacobson (jacobson@nths.net). Looking ahead, auditions for the next productions are September 24 & 25. More information and the sign-up will be posted mid-summer.

     

    Please see more information on Comedy Club or upcoming auditions for Freshmen Sophomore Musical Workshop and Winter Play.

     

    WHAT IF I NEED MORE INFORMATION?  

    If you have any questions or concerns about the play, contact Ms. Kirsch (012C Winnetka), 847-784-6887, kirschh@nths.net


    WHAT ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE?      

    HERE are the monologues for these auditions. Please note that you do not need to have your monologue memorized! Please follow the specific directions at the top of the monologue page.

     

    WHAT INFO DO I NEED ABOUT ROLES AND CHARACTERS?

    Characters that may be cast using gender-blind casting:

    Mercutio

    Benvolio

    Tybalt

    Friar Lawrence

    Prince Escalus

    Capulet

    Potpan

    Sampson

    Gregory

    Balthasar

    Abraham

    Friar John

    Apothecary

    Pages/Watchmen

     

    ADDITONAL INFORMATION regarding CHARACTERS

    Characters that require STRONG sword-fighting skills:

    Romeo

    Mercutio

    Benvolio

    Tybalt

    Paris

    Sampson

    Gregory

    Abraham

    ** possibly others

     

    Characters that do not require sword-fighting:

    Juliet

    Nurse

    Lady Capulet

    Friar Lawrence

    Prince

    Capulet

    Montague