SPT Auditions for 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Fall 2022 Shakespeare Performance Troupe Auditions Much Ado About Nothing, Thursday Nov. 10, Friday Nov. 11, Saturday, Nov. 12.

dir. Elle Thompson In Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, lovers Claudio and Hero find their wedding in question after he’s duped into believing her to be cheating. Meanwhile, the friends of Benedick and Beatrice trick the two old rivals each into believing the other is head over heels in love with them… and thus, into falling in love themselves. This play includes heavy depictions of misogyny, verbal abuse between parent and child, manipulation, and sexual innuendo.

Please take all of these content notes into consideration as you prepare for your audition and evaluate your show preferences. Your safety and comfort is a top priority. If you have any questions, Linden (lcwright@brynmawr.edu) is available as Troupe Mediator to clarify context and meanings of any of the content notes to make the audition process and shows as accessible to you as possible.

How To Audition

Audition Dates: Thurs. Sept. 8, 5-8 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 9, 5-8 p.m.

Callbacks: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sign up for a slot online; link will be sent via email list. SPT runs our auditions fairly informally. We encourage you to prepare your monologue and dialogue ahead of time, but you do not have to memorize them! You can audition on your own or with a partner when you give your audition dialogue; if you audition on your own, a stage manager will be your scene partner.

When you enter the audition room, the members of the pro-teams will introduce themselves and then you introduce yourself. Everyone on the pro-teams has gone through the auditions process before! We understand when folks are nervous and even expect it. Take your time to feel ready. If you need to start something over, ask us; we’ll say yes!

Character Guide

• Beatrice, niece of Leonato. Snarky and self-assured.
• Benedick, companion to Don Pedro and Claudio. Also snarky.
• Don Pedro, leader of Claudio and Benedick’s trio.
• Ambitious, likes to get his way.
• Claudio, companion to Don Pedro and Benedick. Prone to being manipulated. Hero, daughter of Leonato. Quiet until pushed.
• Leonato, owner of Messina and Hero's father. Lover of drama.
• Don John, "the Bastard", brother of Don Pedro. A b2it pretentious.
• Borachio, follower of Don John. Enjoyer of money and sex.
• Conrade, follower of Don John. Simp. Antonio, brother of Leonato. Fellow lover of drama.
• Margaret, waiting-gentlewoman attendant on Hero. Hater of marriage.
• Ursula, waiting-gentlewoman attendant on Hero. Kind.
• Dogberry, the constable in charge of Messina's night watch. An ass.
• Verges, Dogberry's partner. Also an ass. Watchmen, one and two. Surprisingly competent.
• Balthasar, Antonio’s son and a singer. Bad at it. The Friar, a priest. Just some guy.
• The Messenger, a servant. Put upon.