Coming Soon:
Kentwood Players presents
Othello

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. For general information about Kentwood Players including parking, public transit options, and upcoming shows, visit us at www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.