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TRYON—Shakespeare & Friends will soon be holding auditions for a brand new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

People of all ages and experience levels are welcome to audition on Wednesday, January 3 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Tryon Depot, located at 22 Depot St. Auditions will consist of cold readings, where applicants are given sections of the script to perform from. Shakespearean monologues are encouraged but not required. Actors should arrive prepared with a resume or information about any past theater experience. 

“I’m excited to do this show because we are doing an all-new retelling of the play. This adaptation reframes the classic play as a modern battle between unionizers and corporate managers in a warehouse,” said Michelle Newman, co-founder of Shakespeare and Friends. 

“It deals with the idea of power and conflict just like the original piece, but in a modern and relatable context. With all the conversations about strikes and unions over the last few years, it seems like the right time to recontextualize the play in this way.”

Newman is writing the adaptation and directing the performance. Other production members include Shakespeare & Friends board members Catherine Gillet, Andy Millard, Marianne Carruth and Anthony Abraira. The only actor cast as of now is for the role of Brutus, who will be played by Asheville-based actor Aaron Ybarra.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on the weekends of March 14-17 and 21-24, and will run approximately two hours. The exact location of the play has yet to be determined

Tickets will be $15, and will be available at shakespeare-friends.com. For more information or to arrange an alternate audition time, interested parties can contact tryonshakespeare@gmail.com or Michelle Newman at 828-817-2897.