The Rude Mechanicals in Residence at GAC present

King Lear Auditions 27/28 May

Role Descriptions

The Rude Mechanicals practice race-conscious casting. Actors of all genders, races, ages, religions, ethnicities, and abilities are encouraged to audition for all roles. A diverse cast is desired.

King Lear (~400 lines): The head of an American family empire, in denial of their own cognitive decline. Religious, conservative, and rigid in expectation. More reliant on others than they are willing to admit. Realizes the depths of their love only when it is taken away.

Gloucester (GLOSS-terr) (~200-300 lines): A friend or relative of Lear, similar in age, who has enjoyed great success in tandem with Lear, with whom they share a genuine friendship. Their relationship with their children is biased, fraught, and distant. This part will involve fight choreography.

Edgar (~200-300 lines): Child to Gloucester. For whatever reason, is favored, and is sheltered and naive as a result. Loves their father, but struggles to see people clearly. Rises to the occasion when events begin to spiral. This part will involve fight choreography.

Edmund (~200-300 lines): Child to Gloucester. Referred to as “Bastard”. For whatever reason, is out of favor with Gloucester. They enact a plan to rise to power at the expense of both Lear and Gloucester’s families, with little regard to the cost. This part will involve fight choreography.

Cordelia/Fool (~200-300 lines): Youngest child of Lear. Loves their parent deeply but is disconnected from their other siblings. They are aware of and compassionate toward Lear’s decline. This part is combined with that of the Fool as one character. When Lear sends Cordelia away, they adopt a disguise so that they might remain by Lear’s side and offer counsel, hidden in the jokes of a Fool, that might save them.

Kent (~200-300 lines): A devoted aide, friend, or family member of Lear, also aware of Lear’s decline. When Lear sends them away, they adopt a disguise to stay by Lear’s side. Never falters in their devotion and follows Lear even to death.

Goneril (GONE-uh-ril) (~100-200 lines): Eldest child of Lear. Raised in privilege and entitlement, they have little compassion for Lear. Married to Albany, whom they treat with similar entitlement and disdain. Calculating and cold. They are seduced by Edmund and conspire to aid their plot.

Regan (RAY-gan) (~100-200 lines): Lear’s middle child. Raised in privilege and entitlement, they have little compassion for Lear. Full of excitability and passion they struggle to control. Married to Cornwall, who shares their eagerness and fervor for power. They are also seduced by Edmund and conspire to aid their plot. This part may involve fight choreography.

Albany (~100 lines): Wealthy and married to Goneril. Poised to inherit Lear’s empire before it’s split. Fairly submissive to Goneril, yet once they become aware of what’s really going on, rises to the occasion and stands by Lear.

Cornwall (~100 lines): Married to Regan. Hungry for power, excitement, and control. Aides in Edmund’s plot against Lear and Gloucester. This part will involve fight choreography.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script, which will be provided. Sides will be available in advance on the Rudes’ website (rudemechanicals.com) as soon as possible. You may prepare a one to two minute monologue if you wish. Large-print versions of the sides will also be available.

You may be invited for a callback on Thursday, May 29, should they be needed.

Rehearsals will be in Greenbelt, MD; actors may expect 2-3 rehearsals per week between Mon – Thurs, beginning with a table read the week of June 2.

For more information see https://rudemechanicals.com/2025/05/06/auditions-for-king-lear/