The Taming of the Shrew
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Directed by Patrick D. Burk & E. Jane Burk
Batavia Players is excited to announce auditions for The Taming of the Shrew, reimagined in the lively, colorful world of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Audition Information:
Character descriptions can be found below. |
Performance Dates:
Audition Dates:
Completion of the RSVP form will notify our team. |
Character Descriptions
KATHERINA (Kate) (singing role)
Strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and fiercely independent. Kate resists the expectations placed on her and challenges nearly everyone she encounters. Often labeled “difficult,” she is intelligent, passionate, and emotionally complex. Requires strong presence, excellent command of language, and vocal confidence.
BIANCA (singing role)
Kate’s younger sister. Polite, charming, and seemingly obedient, Bianca is admired by many suitors. Beneath her sweetness is intelligence and self-awareness. This role requires warmth, subtle comedic timing, and vocal strength.
PETRUCHIO
Bold, confident, and larger-than-life. Petruchio is a man of strong will who matches Kate’s intensity with bravado, humor, and determination. Requires excellent comic timing, physicality, and comfort with heightened language.
GREMIO (singing role)
An older suitor of Bianca, wealthy and comically persistent. Gremio is humorous, exaggerated, and often the butt of the joke. Requires strong character work, comedic instincts, and vocal confidence.
HORTENSIO
Another suitor to Bianca, competitive and frustrated by his lack of success. Often scheming and humorous, with strong ensemble energy.
LUCENTIO
A young gentleman who falls deeply in love with Bianca. Romantic, earnest, and clever, he disguises himself to get closer to her. Requires sincerity and ease with Shakespearean language.
TRANIO
Lucentio’s servant. Quick-witted, resourceful, and often smarter than his master. A strong comedic role with lots of verbal agility.
BAPTISTA MINOLA
Father to Kate and Bianca. Well-meaning but controlling, concerned with status, reputation, and marriage arrangements. A grounding presence amid the chaos.
GRUMIO
Petruchio’s servant. Earthy, loyal, and highly physical, Grumio is often caught in the crossfire of Petruchio’s schemes. Strong physical comedy role.
BIONDELLO
Lucentio’s other servant. Youthful, eager, and easily flustered, often swept up in disguises and deception.
VINCENTIO
Lucentio’s father. Proud and easily fooled, providing some of the play’s broader comedy.
THE WIDOW
Confident and outspoken, later married to Hortensio. A sharp contrast to Bianca and Kate, with strong comedic presence.
ENSEMBLE / ADDITIONAL ROLES
Messengers, servants, townspeople, party guests, and musicians. Ensemble members will help bring the French Quarter setting to life and may take on multiple roles.
Strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and fiercely independent. Kate resists the expectations placed on her and challenges nearly everyone she encounters. Often labeled “difficult,” she is intelligent, passionate, and emotionally complex. Requires strong presence, excellent command of language, and vocal confidence.
BIANCA (singing role)
Kate’s younger sister. Polite, charming, and seemingly obedient, Bianca is admired by many suitors. Beneath her sweetness is intelligence and self-awareness. This role requires warmth, subtle comedic timing, and vocal strength.
PETRUCHIO
Bold, confident, and larger-than-life. Petruchio is a man of strong will who matches Kate’s intensity with bravado, humor, and determination. Requires excellent comic timing, physicality, and comfort with heightened language.
GREMIO (singing role)
An older suitor of Bianca, wealthy and comically persistent. Gremio is humorous, exaggerated, and often the butt of the joke. Requires strong character work, comedic instincts, and vocal confidence.
HORTENSIO
Another suitor to Bianca, competitive and frustrated by his lack of success. Often scheming and humorous, with strong ensemble energy.
LUCENTIO
A young gentleman who falls deeply in love with Bianca. Romantic, earnest, and clever, he disguises himself to get closer to her. Requires sincerity and ease with Shakespearean language.
TRANIO
Lucentio’s servant. Quick-witted, resourceful, and often smarter than his master. A strong comedic role with lots of verbal agility.
BAPTISTA MINOLA
Father to Kate and Bianca. Well-meaning but controlling, concerned with status, reputation, and marriage arrangements. A grounding presence amid the chaos.
GRUMIO
Petruchio’s servant. Earthy, loyal, and highly physical, Grumio is often caught in the crossfire of Petruchio’s schemes. Strong physical comedy role.
BIONDELLO
Lucentio’s other servant. Youthful, eager, and easily flustered, often swept up in disguises and deception.
VINCENTIO
Lucentio’s father. Proud and easily fooled, providing some of the play’s broader comedy.
THE WIDOW
Confident and outspoken, later married to Hortensio. A sharp contrast to Bianca and Kate, with strong comedic presence.
ENSEMBLE / ADDITIONAL ROLES
Messengers, servants, townspeople, party guests, and musicians. Ensemble members will help bring the French Quarter setting to life and may take on multiple roles.
