AUDITIONS

Audition Notice for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival is seeking eight (8) Equity/non-Equity actors, seven (7) Summer Conservatory Actors and one (1) Summer Conservatory Emerging Director for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Nashville Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Jason Spelbring.

In-person auditions will be held on February 27-28th at West End United Methodist Church. In-person callbacks will be held on March 2nd. Video auditions will not be accepted. Any video submissions sent will not be reviewed.

Rehearsals for A Midsummer Night's Dream start July 27th. Performances start August 20th. A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed outdoors at the Bandshell in Centennial Park. For a detailed rehearsal and performance schedule, click HERE. Please be prepared to list all known rehearsal and performance conflicts on your audition form.

Actors should be comfortable working locally for the duration of the contract. A Youth Company of performers ages 8–15 will appear in non-speaking ensemble roles during performances.

For Summer Conservatory information and FAQs, click HERE.

Please prepare one (1) comedic Shakespeare monologue (Verse or Prose) no longer than 90 seconds. Bring a copy of your headshot and resume to your audition.

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival welcomes actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds to audition. NSF is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative artistic environment that reflects the diversity of our community. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Nashville Shakespeare Festival is committed to an inclusive audition process and accommodations are available upon request.

All artists please fill out our audition form:

Then select the audition sign-up that pertains to you:

Character Breakdown: 

  • TheseusDuke of Athens / Oberon - King of the Fairies -Double Cast (Male Presenting)

  • Hippolyta Queen of the Amazons / TitaniaQueen of the Fairies -Double Cast (Female Presenting)

  • EgeusFather to Hermia / Nick BottomWeaver, a pretentious and opinionated actor - Double Cast (Male Presenting)

  • PuckA mischievous spirit (Any Gender)

  • HelenaHermia’s lifelong friend, in love with Demetrius (Female Presenting)

  • Hermia Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander (Female Presenting)

  • DemetriusSuitor to Hermia, endorsed by Egeus (Male Presenting)

  • LysanderHermia’s choice of suitor, in love with Hermia (Male Presenting)

  • Philostrate – Theseus’ Master of Revels / (US Puck)  (Any Gender)

  • Snug – Joiner, plays Lion / Fairy (US Lysander) -Double Cast (Male Presenting)

  • Peaseblossom Attending upon Titania / Robin Starveling Tailor, plays Moonshine (US Demetrius) - Double Cast (Male Presenting)

  • Cobweb Attending upon Titania / Tom SnoutTinker, plays Wall -Double Cast (Any Gender)

  • Mustardseed Attending upon Titania / Francis FluteBellows-mender, plays Thisbe -Double Cast (Any Gender)

  • Moth Attending upon Titania / Peter QuinceCarpenter and Director of the Mechanicals’ play - Double Cast (Any Gender)

  • First Fairy Attending upon Titania / (US Hermia and Helena) (Female Presenting). 

To get information on upcoming auditions, sign up for our email newsletter and check “Shakes Audition Information.” We also post audition announcements on social media!