Kentwood Players announces open auditions for
Othello
A play by William Shakespeare
In person auditions will be held
Saturday, June 20, 2026 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday, June 21, 2026 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Video auditions will be accepted. Please see details below.
Callbacks (by invitation only) Monday, June 22, 2026 at 6:00 to 10:30 pm
At the Westchester Playhouse
8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045
This non-equity production is directed by Christopher Aruffo and choreographed by Doug Vasquez. Producers are Ben Lupejkis and Patricia Butler, with Associate Producer Nick Unquera. The script is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello by the director.
Performance dates are Friday, September 11 through Saturday, October 3, 2026. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 8:00 pm, Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Saturday matinees, also at 2:00 pm, will be added September 19 and continue through the end of the run.
This is a non-union, non-paid theater production.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Kentwood Players presents Shakespeare's classic tragedy of manipulation, madness and despair. Iago, passed over by Othello for promotion pursues his revenge against the Moor of Venice, constructing a plot fueled by betrayal and jealousy. As suspicion takes hold of Othello's mind we watch him spiral towards his inevitable tragic doom.
AUDITION PROCESS
Kentwood Players is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and encourages actors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities and identities to audition.
Appointments are not necessary for in-person auditions, but allow time to sign in and complete any required paperwork during scheduled audition times. Bring a current headshot, resume, and your calendar, as you will be asked to note any potential conflicts with the rehearsal schedule (see following section).
Anyone auditioning for the roles of IAGO, CASSIO, DESDEMONA, EMILIA and ENSEMBLE will be asked to learn a simple dance combination. Please dress appropriately to allow for free movement. Dressing rooms and bathrooms will be available if you would like to change clothes. Tennis Shoes or Sneakers are fine. If you have any Special Skills: Acrobatic, Gymnastic, Tumbling, Dance, Toe-Touches, the Splits, Juggling, Stage Combat, Sword or Dagger Training, please be prepared to demonstrate and list them on your Casting Application.
If you are auditioning for any Principal Role in the show, but will accept Ensemble, please note this on your Casting Application and be prepared to learn the dance combination.
ADDITIONALLY, anyone interested in the above-mentioned Male Roles or Ensemble, will also be asked to vocalize by running scales on the piano. This will be done as a group, not individually. We are only interested in seeing if you can match the pitch; no formal vocal training is required. If you know you are not a singer, do not worry.
Video auditions will be accepted, though virtual auditioners are expected to be available for in person callbacks. Actors submitting virtually should email their headshot, resume, and recording of both monologues. Please also indicate any relevant special skills (listed above) and any general conflicts during the rehearsal period. The dancing and vocalizing components of the audition will be handled as necessary at callbacks. Submit materials to othello@kentwoodplayers.org no later than midnight Friday, June 19.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
There will be an initial table reading the evening of June 25 7:00-10:00 pm. Rehearsals will begin three weeks later, on July 11. Rehearsal times will be Monday-Thursday 7:00-10:00 pm and Sunday 6:00-10:00 pm.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
IAGO - Lead, Male, any age, any ethnicity
Brighella (First Zanni): Scheming manipulative prankster. Quick thinker, fast talker, always active. Finds others' misfortunes genuinely hilarious - especially if he causes them.
OTHELLO - Lead, Male, Black, 20-40
Il Capitano: Full of tall tales, showmanship, and braggadocio, but in an endearing way. Less self-confident than his public persona would suggest.
DESDEMONA - Supporting, Female, 20-30, any ethnicity except Black*
Innamorata: Elegant and high class; she loves everyone she meets and is not afraid to show it. Loves to party!
*This production centers the racial contrast between Othello and Desdemona; Desdemona is being cast as non-Black.
EMILIA - Supporting, Female, any age, any ethnicity
Columbina: Witty, cunning, and resourceful maidservant. A practical joker and an equal match for her trickster husband Iago, but possessing empathy and a moral compass.
CASSIO - Supporting, Male, 20-30, any ethnicity
Innamorato: An incorrigible flirt and ladies' man, but playful, not predatory. Well mannered, well meaning, respectable and respectful.
BRABANTIO - Supporting, Male, 40+, any ethnicity except Black
Pantalone: Foolish, gullible, stingy, controlling, and status-hungry. Easy to laugh at, especially when he gets angry.
*This production centers the racial contrast between Othello and Brabantio; Brabantio is being cast as non-Black.
RODERIGO - Supporting, Male, 20-60, any ethnicity
Lo Stupido (Second Zanni): Naive, awkward, and dumb as a box of rocks. Sidekick and easy dupe of the First Zanni.
ENSEMBLE: Each of the Ensemble characters (10 total) has between 3-50 spoken lines. Each Ensemble performer will portray other non-speaking roles including the party scene, musical number, and bar brawl.
MONTANO - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Respected authority in charge of Cyprus before Othello arrives to take command. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
LODOVICO - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Venetian noble who brings final justice to Iago's plot. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
DUKE - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Venetian authority who commands Othello into battle. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
BIANCA - Female, 20-30, any ethnicity
Cassio's actual lover. Deserves more respect than she gets. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
GENTLEMAN - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Friend of Montano. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
GRATIANO - Male/female, 40+, any ethnicity
Brabantio's sibling. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
SENATOR - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Duke's second in command. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
CLOWN - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Servant and messenger. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
HERALD - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
Town crier. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
OFFICER - Male/female, 20-60, any ethnicity
One of the Duke's messengers. Will play multiple parts. Singing, dancing, gymnastic skills a plus.
For questions about this production, the rehearsal process or the audition process, please contact Director Christopher Aruffo or Choreographer Doug Vasquez at othello@kentwoodplayers.org.
Kentwood Players holds auditions for its main stage shows 6 times a year.