Orlando Shakespeare Theatre
Orlando, FL

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Monday, March 9, 2026

1:00 PM - 10:00 PM (E)

Break 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

AND

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

1:00 PM - 10:00 PM (E)

Break 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an audition appointment, please go to: https://auditionsmanager.com/r... . Equity actors without an appointment will be seen in the first available slot on any day.

CONTRACT

Independent Theatre Contract

$936 weekly minimum

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Orlando Shakespeare Theatre's 2026-27 Season (See breakdown).

Produced in partnership w/ UCF - Artistic Director: Jim Helsinger, Executive Director: Cheryl Collins.

Orlando Shakes is committed to building diversity and inclusion onstage and throughout our organization. We encourage gender diverse and color conscious casting. Actors of all ethnic backgrounds and all genders are encouraged to attend our auditions, and we encourage actors from underrepresented groups and the global majority to audition.

PREPARATION

Please prepare 1 monologue (of your choice) not to exceed 2 minutes total and/or 16-Bars (of a song of your choice) if you want to be considered for COME FROM AWAY. An accompanist will be provided. Also, please bring ONE copy of your stapled headshot/resume. Please arrive at the theatre 10 minutes prior to your appointed time to check-in.

LOCATION

Lowndes Shakespeare Center

812 E Rollins St

Orlando, FL 32803-1202

Studio Rehearsal Hall.

PERSONNEL

Jena Rashid: New Play Associate

Anne Hering: Director of Education

Keith Traver: Education Coordinator

Expected to Attend:

Jim Helsinger: Artistic Director, DRACULA, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Director

Nick Bublitz: Associate Artistic Director and A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Assistant Director

Roberta Emerson: Director of New Play Development and “World Premier Production” Director

Tim Williams: Company Manager

See breakdown for production-specific personnel.

OTHER DATES

Callbacks will be held March 16 through May 4 by callback appointment only.

See breakdown for production-specific dates.

OTHER

www.orlandoshakes.org

Phone calls will be accepted at 407-447-1700 ext. 210.

Emails will be accepted at [email protected].

An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

Breakdown

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre 2026-27 Season

Casting Note: He/Him pronouns denote male-identifying characters, and She/Her pronouns denote female-identifying characters. However limiting these descriptions are, our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible, and we invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles they most identify with. We will also list race/ethnicity when specific to the character but are otherwise seeking all races and ethnicities.

COME FROM AWAY

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Director: Thomas Ouellette

1st Rehearsal: 08/04/2026

Previews: 08/26/2026, 08/27/2026

Runs: 08/28/2026 - 09/27/2026

Margeson Theater

CASTING NOTE: All actors double in multiple roles.

SEEKING:

DIANE / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 50s-60s.) A traditional divorcee from Texas, who is terrified that her son may have been flying at the time of the attacks. When she finds out that he’s safe, she’s given a new lease on life and discovers a wilder, more carefree side of herself. Warm, natural contemporary Soprano with strong mix up to D.

HANNAH / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) The mother of a firefighter in Manhattan, Hannah waits for news about her son and is comforted by Beulah. Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E.

JANICE / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s.) An eager new local TV reporter, Janice is thrown into the deep end on her first day. Initially naïve about the world, Janice must face the pain and confusion around her. Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and a mix up to E.

BUELAH / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) The head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son, who walks Hannah to her church and prays with her. Mezzo with belt up to B.

BONNIE / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) A no-nonsense mother of 3, Bonnie is the head of the Gander area SPCA. When she discovers animals are trapped on the planes, she stops at nothing to ensure their safety - but in frustration, she often lashes out at those around her. Mezzo with belt up to B.

BEVERLY: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) The first female captain for American Airlines Pilot, Beverley Bass has always loved flying, when her world suddenly changes. Strong mezzo with an easy mixed or belted C#.

OZ / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s.) The quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. When the town’s population suddenly doubles, Oz helps out in unexpected ways. Strong contemporary Tenor up to G.

KEVIN T / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) The head of an environmental energy company in Los Angeles, Kevin was on vacation with his boyfriend (and secretary, also named Kevin), when they are stranded in Gander. Inspired by the town’s generosity, Kevin creates the Pay It Forward Foundation. Strong contemporary Tenor up to G.

KEVIN J / ALI / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Egyptian Muslim. 30s-40s.) Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary. Sarcastic and unhappy, he wants to leave as soon as possible. Doubles as Ali, a Muslim Middle-Eastern master chef traveling to the U.S. who becomes a focal point for anti-Muslim sentiment from some of the passengers. Tenor or Baritenor.

BOB / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Black. 20s-40s.) A hardened New Yorker, Bob is suspicious of where he’s landed, fearing that it’s World War 3, that someone is going to shoot him and steal his wallet – but instead, he ends up losing his New York jadedness. Doubles as Captain Bristol and Muhumuza, an African passenger. Baritone.

CLAUDE / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) The gregarious and well-liked Mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Claude loves his work, the townspeople and his daily traditions, but he’s never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before. Gruff, natural sounding Baritone with a strong high G.

NICK / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 50s-60s.) An English oil engineer who is focused on his work, Nick’s life is turned upside down when he falls for Diane. Warm, natural Baritone or Baritenor with an easy E and strong pop sensibility.

DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS

By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen

Director: Jim Helsinger

1st Rehearsal: 09/01/2026

Previews: 09/23/2026, 09/24/2026

Runs: 09/25/2026 - 11/08/2026

Goldman Theater

A Note About Casting: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors sends up gender norms as actors play multiple roles.

SEEKING:

TRACK ONE: (He/him. 20s-30s.) JONATHAN HARKER – RP British dialect. Prim and proper and obsessive-compulsive real estate agent, frightened of his own shadow. Engaged to his childhood crush Lucy Westfeldt and enamored of her fearlessness. Once bitten he loosens up...a lot… and becomes a Tom Jones-style rock star in leather pants. LORD CAVENDISH – Scottish dialect. Lucy’s suitor; a Scottish dolt. LORD WORTHINGTON – RP British dialect. Lucy’s suitor; posh, British and petulant. LORD HAVEMERCY – Texas Accent. Lucy’s arrogant suitor from Memphis, a la Yosemite Sam. BOSUN – Irish dialect. A scurvy seaman who goes down with the ship in a storm. GRAVEDIGGER – Cockney dialect. A drunk gravedigger with a secret.

TRACK TWO: (Any/Any. 40s-50s.) DR. WALLACE WESTFELDT – RP British dialect. Lucy and Mina’s father, a blowhard; self-important misogynist given to proclamations and posturing with his pipe. A doctor caring for the criminally insane, he has recently lost his wife to consumption. RENFIELD – Cockney dialect and salivary issues. Insane patient of Dr. Westfeldt who lives to serve and loves to eat bugs. In a word, the dude is nuts. CAPTAIN – Sea Captain dialect. The salty captain of a doomed ship caught in a raging storm.

TRACK THREE: (She/her. 20s-30s.) LUCY WESTFELDT – RP British dialect. Brilliant, plucky earth scientist daughter of Dr. Westfeldt, she is full of energy and the spirit of adventure and often underestimated because of her beauty. KITTY RUTHERFORD – Cockney dialect. A dotty kleptomaniac patient of Dr. Westfeldt, she serves as a maid in his house. Think Mrs. Lovett but servile and easily distracted. DRIVER – Eastern European or Russian dialect. The male, Transylvanian driver of the carriage carrying Jonathan to Dracula’s castle who tries to warn him. Borat meets Boris and Natasha.

TRACK FOUR: (Any/Any. 20s-30s.) MINA WESTFELDT – RP British dialect. The less attractive, less intelligent Westfeldt daughter, she lives in her sister Lucy’s shadow and is desperate for attention. She is immediately (pathetically) receptive to Dracula’s charms. DR. VAN HELSING – German dialect a la Mel Brooks. Brilliant and sturdy German vampire-hunting doctor from the University of Schmutz. Deadly serious in the way Germans can be, she is accustomed to people not believing she is a real doctor. Strong, shmart, unt bold, she is a woman of action.

TRACK FIVE: (He/him. Ageless.) COUNT DRACULA – Commanding European dialect. Hugely sexy, magnetically handsome, rock star presence with a killer body, he is a narcissist whose greatest love is himself – and his leather pants.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Adapted by Jim Helsinger, Based on the novel by Charles Dickens

Director: Jim Helsinger

Music Director: John Cavazos

1st Rehearsal: 11/03/2026

Preview: 11/25/2026

Runs: 11/27/2026 - 12/24/2026.

Margeson Theater

SEEKING:

EBENEZER SCROOGE - THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 60s-70s.) A rich but cheap, conniving merchant, a cruel man that cares nothing for other people, who changes to a loving person overnight. British RP accent required.

MARLEY / OLD JOE / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 60s-70s.) Jacob Marley – The spirit of Scrooge’s business partner, now wearing the crushing chains of his sins. British RP accent. Old Joe – pawn shop owner, disgusting low-life, Cockney accent. Also doubles as various characters.

BOB CRATCHIT / MERCHANT 1 / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Bob Cratchit – Clerk to Scrooge. Middle-class British accent. A very kind, humble, poor man. Merchant 1 - A rich disdainful merchant. British RP accent. Also doubles as various characters.

GHOST OF XMAS PRESENT / FEZZIWIG / ENSEMBLE - THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Christmas Present - An oversized giant of a spirit, strong, full of laughter and love. British RP accent. Fezziwig – Happy middle-class merchant, laughing and jolly. British middle class or Irish accent. Also doubles as various characters.

FRED / DICK WILKINS / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Fred – Scrooge’s nephew, a kind young businessman, determined to keep up his spirits. Merchant 2 - A rich disdainful merchant. Also doubles as various characters. British accents required.

YOUNG SCROOGE / FUTURE / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Young Scrooge - A young, neglected man whose keen eye for business undermines his heart and humanity. British RP accent. Future - the most formidable and terrifying of the spirits. Silent, ominous. Also doubles as various characters.

MRS. CRATCHIT / MRS. FEZZIWIG / CHARITY COLLECTOR / ENSEMBLE - (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Mrs. Cratchit – wife of Bob Cratchit, a kind woman, crushed by poverty. British middle-class accent.

Charity Collector – a rich jolly woman, collecting donations for the poor. British RP accent. Also doubles as various characters.

BELLE / LAUNDRESS / ENSEMBLE - THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Belle – Scrooge’s fiancée, a strong young woman who breaks their engagement. British RP accent. Laundress - lowlife of London, steals Scrooge’s belongings after his death and pawns them. Cockney Accent. Also doubles as various characters.

PAST / MARTHA / ENSEMBLE - THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (She/Her/Hers. Any ethnicity. Teenage-early 20s.) Christmas Past – A kind, playful spirit, childlike. British RP accent. Martha – Bob Cratchit’s oldest daughter, fun loving but poor. British middle-class accent. Also doubles as various characters.

CHARWOMAN / CHARITY COLLECTOR / ENSEMBLE - (She/her. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) Charwoman - lowlife or London, steals Scrooge’s belongings after his death and pawns them. Cockney Accent. Charity Collector – a rich woman, collecting donations for the poor. British RP accent. Also doubles as various characters.

FRED’S WIFE / CAROLINE / ENSEMBLE - (She/Her/Hers. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Fred’s Wife - loving, devoted, full of fun. British RP or Irish accent. Caroline - debtor’s wife. Cockney, Irish or Scottish accent. Also doubles as various characters.

BELLE’S HUSBAND / MERCHANT 2 / JOHN / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Belle’s Husband - Congenial, middle-class man with children. Sympathetic and kind, a loving husband and father. British RP or middle-class estuary accent. Merchant 2 - A rich disdainful merchant. British RP accent. John - a poor debtor to Scrooge. Also doubles as various characters.

FAN / LUCY / ENSEMBLE - (She/her. Any Ethnicity. 7-9 years old.) Fan – Scrooge’s sister, she is dying but still luminous with love. British RP accent. Lucy Cratchit - Full of hope and fun loving. British middle-class accent. Also doubles as various characters. British accents required.

BELINDA / ADDY / BEGGAR / ENSEMBLE - (She/her. Any Ethnicity. 12-15 years old.) Belinda Cratchit - Full of hope, but also a bit sassy, a teenager. British middle class accent. Addy - he/him/his. A young student at Scrooge’s boarding school. British RP accent. Also doubles as various characters. British accents required.

TINY TIM / JOHN / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 7-9 years old.) Tiny Tim – young, sickly son of Bob Cratchit. Very sweet and kind to others, cherubic. British middle class accent. John - he/him/his. A young student at Scrooge’s boarding school. British RP accent. Also doubles as various characters.

PETER / BOY SCROOGE / TURKEY BOY / ENSEMBLE - (He/him. Any Ethnicity. 11-13 years old.) Peter Cratchit - one of the Cratchit children. British middle class accent. Boy Scrooge - A young schoolboy. British RP accent. Turkey Boy – an excitable young street urchin. Cockney accent. Also doubles as various characters.

A separate audition for A CHRISTMAS CAROL children will also be held by appointment at a later date (4/22/26).

JAMES IJAMES WORLD PREMIER ADAPTATION

THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD

Director: Roberta Emerson

1st Rehearsal: 12/29/2025

Previews: 01/20/2027, 01/21/2027

Runs: 01/22/2027 - 02/14/2027

Margeson Theater

CASTING NOTE: This production is a commissioned adaptation of Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston’s 1937 classic Harlem Renaissance novel that takes place in Eatonville, FL. This script is in process. A half day of production-specific EPAs will be held later this year, TBA. The majority of roles will be written for black identifying actors.

AS YOU LIKE IT

By William Shakespeare

Director: Carolyn Howarth

1st Rehearsal: 02/09/2027

Previews: 03/03/2027, 03/04/2027

Runs: 03/05/2027 - 03/28/2027

Margeson Theater

SEEKING:

ROSALIND / GANYMEDE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s): Clever, cunning, and the voice of reason in the play, she is exiled by her uncle into the Forest of Arden and hides herself by dressing as a man. Falls for Orlando and teaches him how to love her.

ORLANDO: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s): Passionate and loving, Orlando is cheated out of his inheritance and education by his brother but wins the heart of Rosalind who gives him a full education on courtship and love.

CELIA / ALIENA: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s): The daughter of Duke Frederick and Rosalind’s best friend and cousin. Devoted to Rosalind and dons the disguise of ‘Aliena’ as they travel into exile together. Has a loving heart, sometimes to a comic extreme.

PHOEBE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Shepherdess who does not want the love of Silvius but falls immediately in love with Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise).

JAQUES: (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 30+.) A melancholy nobleman who takes a bit of pleasure in putting on his cynicism and brooding. Passionate about thinking, pessimistic about doing.

DUKE SENIOR: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s) Banished by his paranoid brother, Duke Frederick, Duke Senior is the rightful duke and kindly father to Rosalind.

OLIVER: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s - 30s): Older brother of Orlando, who inexplicably hates him and denies him a gentleman’s education. Is redeemed by love in the end.

AUDREY: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) A pleasant goatherd who agrees to marry Touchstone.

TOUCHSTONE: (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 30s - 50s): A fool in Duke Frederick’s court, a great critic of the folly around him. A court jester accustomed to a life of status, his quick wit and intelligence often put him at odds with the characters who understand that he is mocking them.

SILVIUS: (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) A young shepherd who is madly in love with Phoebe. Not deterred by the unrequited nature of his love, Silvius is steadfastly doing whatever Phoebe commands of him.

DUKE FREDERICK: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Duke Frederick is the paranoid and power-hungry brother to Duke Senior, the rightful ruler and father to Rosalind.

ADAM: (He/him. Any ethnicity. Late 50s-70s.): Elderly former servant of Orlando’s father, who is devoted and loving to young Orlando. Gives his life savings to accompany and fund Orlando’s journey into exile.

CORIN / ENSEMBLE: (Any gender. Any ethnicity. Late 50s-70s.): An older shepherd who attempts to console and counsel his friend Silvius about love.

AMIENS / ENSEMBLE: (Any gender. Any ethnicity. Any age.) Friend and lord in Duke Senior’s exiled court. Not great at outdoor living. Faithful, joyful, plays and sings music.

CHARLES / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) The Duke’s Wrestler.

LE BEAU / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) A courtier.

RICHARD III

By William Shakespeare

Director: N/A

1st Rehearsal: 03/30/2027

Previews: 04/07/2027, 04/08/2027

Runs: 04/09/2027 - 04/25/2027

Goldman Theater

Richard III continues the Fire and Reign series at Orlando Shakes - 8 plays in order from Richard II through Richard III. This production is an “original practices” or “bare bard” production with no director or designers. It features a short rehearsal process and performance run. All rehearsals, blocking, and design are determined by the actors. Actors with experience with this type of Shakespearean production are encouraged to audition.

CASTING NOTE: Actors double in multiple roles where noted.

SEEKING:

RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER: THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Richard, brother to Edward IV, later King Richard III, is rather a nasty piece of work.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Richard’s closest ally as he maneuvers himself onto the throne.

GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE / ENSEMBLE: THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) The brother of King Edward and Richard of Gloucester. Fickle and politic.

EARL RIVERS / HENRY EARL of RICHMOND: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Earl Rivers is the brother of Queen Elizabeth. Henry is little Richmond, all grown up, Lord Stanley’s stepson, and the next heir in blood of the Lancastrian cause. Becomes Henry VII.

LORD HASTINGS / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 50s - 60s.) The Lord Chamberlain, supporter of Richard and the same Hastings from Henry VI, Part 3.

SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s - 40s.) One of Richard’s chief supporters and major executioner at the time of his coup.

LORD STANLEY / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s - 50s.) The Earl of Derby and a close friend of Lord Hastings. He is also Henry Earl of Richmond’s stepfather.

SIR ROBERT BRAKENBURY / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s - 50s.) The Lieutenant of the Tower of London, a stubbornly loyal man who does his job to the letter no matter his own thoughts on the matter.

QUEEN MARGARET / ENSEMBLE: THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s - 50s) The widow of King Henry, VI, the old “She-Wolf of France”.

MARQUESS OF DORSET / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Marquess of Dorset is Queen Elizabeth’s son by her previous marriage, ennobled after she married King Edward.

DUCHESS OF YORK / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 50s - 60s) The mother of King Edward IV, George of Clarence, and Richard, and the widow of the late Richard, Duke of York.

LADY ANNE / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s - 30s.) The daughter of the Earl of Warwick from Henry VI, Part 3 and the widow of Prince Edward of Lancaster, son of Queen Margaret, whom Richard helped to kill.

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY / ENSEMBLE: (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s) Sir William Catesby is one of Richard’s chief supporters and an important figure in his coup.

QUEEN ELIZABETH / ENSEMBLE: (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s - 30s.) The wife of King Edward IV, former Lady Gray of Henry VI, Part 3.

SALARY

Independent Theatre Contract $936 weekly minimum

UNION

AEA