Auditioning at Bard is unlike other theatre companies: there’s a lot of scheduling and cooperation involved because of our having two repertory companies, Mainstage and Studio Stage, and the fact that actors need to fit two roles. 

The process begins nearly a year in advance of the upcoming season – Bard’s general audition notice goes out in June and general auditions are held in July. We receive resumes year-round and these are kept on file until the creative team is ready to go through them. 

I know, I know, autumn is here. Bard is over (*sob), it’s raining out and you wish you could recapture those amazing moments you spent with us this summer. Well, here’s a way to do just that!

The actors and production team you saw this summer at Bard are busy year-round on projects around Vancouver and across Canada. Here are a few of the productions you can catch some Bardies at this season:

Bard’s tents may be down for the season, but you don’t need to go without your Shakespeare fix. The National Theatre of Great Britain has come up with a great series called National Theatre Live, now in its fourth season, which gives theatre fans all over the world a chance to take in its fantastic productions through film at movie theatres.

As the mist rolled in to English Bay on Saturday evening, the actors of Twelfth Night donned their costumes for one last time and took to the stage for the final performance of the season. The packed house was treated not only to a phenomenal final performance, but a very special celebration afterwards – a long standing, closing night tradition where we give onstage recognition to the people who work to make Bard such a special place.

It’s the final blog of the season! The lovely Sereana Malani (Isabella, Measure For Measure; Lady Stanley, Elizabeth Rex) kindly shares her favourite moments of her first season at Bard. Enjoy!

“As I prepare to close my first season at Bard I recognize that there have been many wonderful memories made – too many for me to pick a favourite. However, one word does stick out. The common denominator, the singing constant of my season here has been: laughter.

Twelfth Night director Dennis Garnhum and Twelfth Night/Hamlet actor Barbara Pollard share their favourite moments of the season.

Here is Part Two of some of the funniest, most peculiar and cutest things we’ve overheard in the Box Office this season. Enjoy!

Box Office: “Twelfth Night isn’t playing tonigh–”
Patron: “Oh my goodness I need better eyes!”

Patron: “Well it’s so nice hearing Christopher’s voice that I don’t even mind getting your voicemail!”

Patron: “This is for my lady. Well one of them… you know what I mean.”

Guest Post by Rupert Potter

Rupert Potter took his position as British Consul-General in Vancouver in July 2012 and is the British government’s representative in British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. His wife and two children join him in Vancouver.

Every summer Bard is delighted to team up with the talented folks at UBC Opera for some spellbinding thrills and trills. We caught up with UBC Opera Ensemble’s Director, Nancy Hermiston to find out more about her love of opera, special guest stars and the hard work it takes to become a great opera singer.

Barbara Pollard’s interview back in July was so popular we were delighted when she agreed to share some more of her ‘behind the scenes’ moments. In this post, Barbara describes the challenges and fun she had with the costume team in bringing Queen Gertrude to the stage for Hamlet.