Something Rotten! Character Descriptions - 

Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble encourages actors of any ethnicity, identity, ability, etc. to audition for any role. If the script requires strict adherence to any characteristic(s), those will be listed in the character description.

NICK BOTTOM – Male presenting, Casting ages 20+. Tenor or High Baritone. The main protagonist of the show.​ A​ struggling renaissance writer at the end of his rope. Nigel’s older brother. Incredibly jealous of the success of William Shakespeare and will do anything to beat him. ​He is responsible for creating the first musical, Omelette, ​after guidance from the misguided Nostradamus.​ Seeking a comedic actor, tap dance skill a plus but not required. Vocal Range bottom: A2, Vocal Range top: G4

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – Male presenting, Casting ages 20+. A renaissance rock star. He oozes swagger. Think Mick Jagger, Prince, Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz. Seeking a comedic actor with a killer pop/rock voice, tap dance skills a plus but not required. Shakespeare is both the real life author of many plays and rival to Nick Bottom. Shakespeare, also referred to as “The Bard” throughout the show, gets all of the praise and attention from his adoring fans leaving writers like Nick and Nigel in his shadow. Rockstar, “Mick Jagger,” Rock Belt, Croon low, Excellent rhythmic skills; Cocky; Vocal Range bottom: A2, Vocal Range top: Ab4

NOSTRADAMUS – Any gender role, Casting ages 20+. Tenor or High Baritone. A soothsayer who “​almost”​ sees the future correctly. A bit loony. This character predicts that Nick and Nigel will write a musical. Seeking a dynamic comedic performer who sings and moves very well. Vocal Range Bottom: C3, Vocal range top: F#4

NIGEL BOTTOM – Male presenting, Casting ages 18+. Nick’s young​er brother. A sweetly naïve young writer and poet, perhaps a little awkward. He’s not very confident, as shown when he doesn’t think his work is very good despite the outstanding quality of his writing. He is very gullible and can easily be manipulated. He falls in love with Portia and ultimately finds confidence in himself through art and love. Seeking a comedic actor who sings very well. Vocal Range Bottom: Eb3, Vocal range top: A4

BEA – Female presenting, Casting ages 18+. Nick’s wife and “Right Hand Man.” She loves and supports him despite his questionable decision making and lack of success. Bea resorts to dressing up like a man to make ends meet for her growing family. She is a strong leader and a powerful woman who is quite persuasive when she wants to be. She ultimately saves the day. Seeking a comedic actor. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: F#5

PORTIA – Female presenting, Casting ages 18+. A quirky Puritan girl whom Nigel meets on the street. Portia is the only daughter of Brother Jeremiah and the love interest to Nigel Bottom. ​They fall madly in love with each other over their mutual love for Shakespeare and poetry. Seeking a comedic actor. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: F#5

MINSTREL – Any gender role, Casting ages 16+. The Minstrel is a narrator of sorts for the show with the main purpose of introducing the cast and welcoming the audience to the Renaissance era of the show. This performer opens the first and the second act. Seeking a charismatic actor with a thousand faces. The performer playing the Minstrel will also play other roles in the show. Vocal Range Bottom: C#3, Vocal range top: A4 (ad. Lib. To C5)

BROTHER JEREMIAH – Male presenting, Casting ages 30+. The Puritan father of Portia and secondary antagonist in Something Rotten! He is very strict and refuses to let his daughter engage in “fulfilling her lustful desires.” He shows nothing but disrespect towards everyone, but especially playwrights like Nick and Nigel. A deeply repressed Puritan. Seeking a comedic actor. Vocal Range Bottom: G3, Vocal range top: G4

TOM SNOUT, PETER QUINCE, SNUG, FRANCIS FLUTE – Any gender roles, Casting ages 18+. All Voice Types. These characters are individual members and characters within Nick Bottom’s theatrical troupe. Although these particular characters must present as male, they can be played by either male or female performers. 

ROBIN – Male presenting, Casting ages 16+. Tenor or Baritone. Member of Bottom’s theatrical troupe who always plays the female characters. 

LORD/LADY CLAPHAM – Any gender role, Casting ages 18+. All Voice Types. Lord/Lady Clapham is a flamboyant theatre producer. Comic speaking role. This character may also play other singing/dancing roles throughout the show.

SHYLOCK – Casting ages 30+. Baritone. Jewish landlord/tax collector who loves theater more than anything. It was illegal at that time to hire someone who was Jewish, so when Nick is forced to hire Shylock, he has to watch out or he could be hanged. An investor to whom Nick and Nigel are in debt. Comic character.

Featured Ensemble Roles:

THE BARD BACKUP SINGERS/DANCERS – Ages 16+. All Voice Types. This small group of singers/dancers play Shakespeare’s entourage. Strong dance abilities preferred. 

TAP DANCING ENSEMBLE – Ages 16+. Performers with tap dance training for ​A Musical, Make an Omelette, The Black Death, and more!

PURITANS – Ages 16+. Singing and dancing Puritans in the number, ​We See the Light, ​as well as other scenes.

RENAISSANCE WRITERS – Ages 16+. Actor / Singers who make an appearance in ​Welcome to the Renaissance

SHAKESPEARE GROUPIES – Ages 16+. Singing / Dancing Ensemble in ​Will Power

GALLERY / PEOPLE IN COURT – Ages 16+. Actors / Singer Ensemble in ​Shakespeare in Court

NEW WORLD TROUPE – Ages 16+. Small Actor / Singer Ensemble in ​Welcome to America

LONDON TOWNSPEOPLE – Ages 16+. Aside from a few principal characters, most of our cast will also play varied townspeople in different scenes, as well as singing and dancing ensembles.

Vocal range for Ensemble males: at least an F4 (some with A4)

Vocal range for Ensemble females: at least F5 (More mix & belt as opposed to “legit”)