AUDITION NOTICE
Romeo and Juliet /The Importance of Being Earnest
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival is seeking (7) non-Equity actors for Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Education Experience Tour), directed by Madison Kisst and (2) non-Equity actors for The Importance of Being Earnest (a co-production with Belmont University), directed by Nashville Shakespeare Festival Education Director Katie Bruno.
In-person auditions will be held on May 29th & May 30th at West End United Methodist Church. In-person callbacks will be held on June 1. Video auditions will not be accepted. Any video submissions sent will not be reviewed.
Non-equity actors may audition for either play or both. Actors should be comfortable working locally for the duration of the contract. Please bring a copy of your headshot and resume to your audition.
All artists please fill out our audition form:
Then select the audition sign-up:
Romeo and Juliet
Please bring a memorized 90 second (or less) Shakespeare monologue in verse. If you can beatbox and/or play a wind instrument (flute-type, harmonica, small brass-type), please be prepared to share a 30 second snippet. Please be prepared to share your experience as a teaching artist. Please be prepared to share your desire to work and perform in an educational setting.
Rehearsal Dates: 4-9PM October 1-2, October 5-9, October 12-16
Tour Performance Dates: October 19-November 8 (public performances Nov 7 at 2pm and 5pm)
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Actor 1: (Female-presenting) Juliet/ Sampson
Actor 2: (Male-presenting) Romeo/ Prince
Actor 3: (Female-presenting) Nurse/ Benvolio/ Friar Lawrence
Actor 4: (Female-presenting) Tybalt/ Capulet/ Friar John/ Gregory
Actor 5: (Male-presenting) Mercutio/ Montague/ Balthasar/ Paris
Swings: one male-presenting, one female-presenting
All roles open to non-binary actors
The Importance of Being Earnest
Please prepare a comedic monologue (90 seconds or less) using a British dialect.
Rehearsals begin on January 11th, 4-10PM Monday-Friday.
Performance dates: Feb. 18 - 21 and 25 - 28, 2027 with 10AM school matinee performances on 18, 19, 25, and 26.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Lady Bracknell (40/50+ years old): The aunt of Algernon and the mother of Gwendolen, Lady Bracknell is a respected member of the English aristocracy. She refuses to allow her daughter to marry Jack because he does not have a suitable family history.
Miss Prism (40/50+ years old): Cecily’s governess, Miss Prism is a woman with a mysterious past involving former employment at Lady Bracknell’s house, a missing novel, and a lost baby. She spends much of her time flirting with Dr. Chasuble.
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.
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