Orlando Shakespeare Theatre 2026-27 Season Equity Principal Actors - Orlando Shakespeare Theatre Auditions

Orlando Shakespeare Theatre 2026-27 Season - Orlando, FL EPA

Orlando Shakespeare Theater | Orlando, FL

APPOINTMENTS

PERSONNEL

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION:

To schedule an audition appointment please go to:
https://auditionsmanager.com/registration.php?AU=FDPhpA1729. Equity actors without an appointment will be seen in the first available slot on any day.

Personnel: Jena Rashid, New Play Associate; Anne Hering, Director of Education; Keith Traver, Education Coordinator; Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director (DRACULA and A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Director); Nick Bublitz, Associate Artistic Director (A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Assistant Director); Roberta Emerson, Director of New Play Development and “World Premier Production” Director; Tim Williams, Company Manager.

Independent Theatre Contract — $936 weekly minimum.

Produced in partnership with UCF — Artistic Director: Jim Helsinger; Executive Director: Cheryl Collins.

Callbacks will be held March 16 through May 4 by callback appointment only. See production-specific dates for more details.

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.

Phone calls will be accepted at
407-447-1700 ext. 210. Emails will be accepted at
auditions@orlandoshakes.org. Visit
www.orlandoshakes.org.

PREPARATION

Please prepare one 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. Please bring ONE copy of your stapled headshot/resume. Please arrive at the theatre 10 minutes prior to your appointed time to check in. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions. 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. Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

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: 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
Venue: Margeson Theater

CASTING NOTE: All actors double in multiple roles.

SEEKING:

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

HANNAH / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Mother of a firefighter in Manhattan; comforted by Beulah. Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E.

JANICE / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Eager new local TV reporter, thrown into the deep end on her first day. Contemporary Soprano with strong pop belt and mix up to E.

BUELAH / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Head of the Gander Legion, with a firefighter son. Mezzo with belt up to B.

BONNIE / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) No-nonsense mother of 3 and head of the Gander SPCA. Mezzo with belt up to B.

BEVERLY (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Beverley Bass, first female captain for American Airlines. Strong mezzo with an easy mixed or belted C#.

OZ / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s.) Quirky constable in the two-person Gander police force. Strong contemporary Tenor up to G.

KEVIN T / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) Head of an environmental energy company; inspired by Gander’s generosity. Strong contemporary Tenor up to G.

KEVIN J / ALI / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Egyptian Muslim. 30s-40s.) Kevin’s boyfriend and secretary; doubles as Ali, a Middle-Eastern master chef. Tenor or Baritenor.

BOB / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Black. 20s-40s.) Hardened New Yorker who softens over time. Doubles as Captain Bristol and Muhumuza. Baritone.

CLAUDE / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Gregarious Mayor of Gander. Gruff, natural Baritone with a strong high G.

NICK / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 50s-60s.) English oil engineer who 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
Venue: 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, obsessive-compulsive real estate agent; becomes a Tom Jones–style rock star when bitten. Also LORD CAVENDISH (Scottish), LORD WORTHINGTON (RP British), LORD HAVEMERCY (Texas), BOSUN (Irish), GRAVEDIGGER (Cockney).

TRACK TWO (Any/Any. 40s-50s.) DR. WALLACE WESTFELDT – RP British. Blowhard father; must also play RENFIELD (Cockney, salivary issues) and CAPTAIN (Sea Captain).

TRACK THREE (She/her. 20s-30s.) LUCY WESTFELDT – RP British. Plucky earth scientist; also KITTY RUTHERFORD (Cockney) and DRIVER (Eastern European/Russian).

TRACK FOUR (Any/Any. 20s-30s.) MINA WESTFELDT – RP British. Receptive to Dracula’s charms; also DR. VAN HELSING (German a la Mel Brooks).

TRACK FIVE (He/him. Ageless.) COUNT DRACULA – Commanding European dialect. Hugely sexy, narcissistic rock-star vampire.

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
Venue: Margeson Theater

SEEKING:

EBENEZER SCROOGE — THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any ethnicity. 60s-70s.) A rich, miserly merchant who changes to a loving person overnight. British RP accent required.

MARLEY / OLD JOE / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 60s-70s.) Jacob Marley — spirit wearing crushing chains. Old Joe — pawn shop owner (Cockney). Also doubles as various characters.

BOB CRATCHIT / MERCHANT 1 / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Clerk to Scrooge; kind and humble. Merchant 1 — rich disdainful merchant (British RP).

GHOST OF XMAS PRESENT / FEZZIWIG / ENSEMBLE — THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Oversized spirit full of laughter and love. British RP accent.

FRED / DICK WILKINS / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Fred — Scrooge’s nephew. Merchant 2 — rich disdainful merchant. British accents required.

YOUNG SCROOGE / FUTURE / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Young Scrooge — neglected youth with keen business sense. Future — silent, ominous spirit.

MRS. CRATCHIT / MRS. FEZZIWIG / CHARITY COLLECTOR / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Mrs. Cratchit — kind woman crushed by poverty. Charity Collector — rich jolly woman (British RP).

BELLE / LAUNDRESS / ENSEMBLE — THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Belle — Scrooge’s fiancée. Laundress — Cockney accent.

PAST / MARTHA / ENSEMBLE — THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (She/Her. Any ethnicity. Teenage–early 20s.) Christmas Past — childlike spirit. Martha — Bob Cratchit’s oldest daughter.

CHARWOMAN / CHARITY COLLECTOR / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 30s-40s.) Charwoman — lowlife of London (Cockney). Charity Collector — British RP.

FRED’S WIFE / CAROLINE / ENSEMBLE (She/Her. Any ethnicity. 20s.) Fred’s Wife — loving and devoted. Caroline — debtor’s wife (Cockney, Irish, or Scottish).

BELLE’S HUSBAND / MERCHANT 2 / JOHN / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Belle’s Husband — congenial middle-class man. Merchant 2 — rich merchant. John — poor debtor to Scrooge.

FAN / LUCY / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 7–9 years old.) Fan — Scrooge’s sister; Lucy Cratchit — hopeful child. British accents required.

BELINDA / ADDY / BEGGAR / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 12–15 years old.) Belinda Cratchit — sassy teenager. Addy — young student at Scrooge’s boarding school. British RP accent required.

TINY TIM / JOHN / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 7–9 years old.) Tiny Tim — sweet, sickly son of Bob Cratchit. John — young student.

PETER / BOY SCROOGE / TURKEY BOY / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 11–13 years old.) Peter Cratchit — one of the Cratchit children. Boy Scrooge — young schoolboy. Turkey Boy — excitable street urchin (Cockney).

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
Venue: Margeson Theater

CASTING NOTE: This production is a commissioned adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s 1937 classic Harlem Renaissance novel, set 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
Venue: Margeson Theater

SEEKING:

ROSALIND / GANYMEDE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Clever and cunning; exiled to the Forest of Arden and disguises herself as a man. Falls for Orlando and teaches him how to love her.

ORLANDO (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Passionate and loving; cheated out of his inheritance but wins Rosalind’s heart.

CELIA / ALIENA (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Rosalind’s best friend and cousin; devoted and loving.

PHOEBE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) A shepherdess who falls for Ganymede (Rosalind in disguise).

JAQUES (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 30+.) Melancholy nobleman, cynical and brooding.

DUKE SENIOR (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Banished duke and kindly father to Rosalind.

OLIVER (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Orlando’s older brother; redeemed by love.

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

TOUCHSTONE (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s.) Court fool and social critic; quick-witted.

SILVIUS (Any gender. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Young shepherd madly in love with Phoebe.

DUKE FREDERICK (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-60s.) Paranoid, power-hungry brother to Duke Senior.

ADAM (He/him. Any ethnicity. Late 50s-70s.) Elderly former servant devoted to Orlando.

CORIN / ENSEMBLE (Any gender. Any ethnicity. Late 50s-70s.) Older shepherd and counselor to Silvius.

AMIENS / ENSEMBLE (Any gender. Any ethnicity. Any age.) Friend and lord in Duke Senior’s exiled court; sings and plays 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 (this production is an “original practices” or “bare bard” production with no director or designers)
1st Rehearsal: 03/30/2027
Previews: 04/07/2027, 04/08/2027
Runs: 04/09/2027 - 04/25/2027
Venue: 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 features a short rehearsal process and performance run. All rehearsals, blocking, and design are determined by the actors. Actors with experience in this type of Shakespearean production are encouraged to audition. 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 is a nasty piece of work.

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

GEORGE, DUKE OF CLARENCE / ENSEMBLE — THIS ROLE IS CAST. UNDERSTUDIES WILL BE CONSIDERED. (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Brother to King Edward and Richard; fickle and politic.

EARL RIVERS / HENRY EARL OF RICHMOND (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Earl Rivers — brother of Queen Elizabeth. Henry — heir to the Lancastrian cause; becomes Henry VII.

LORD HASTINGS / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 50s-60s.) The Lord Chamberlain and supporter of Richard.

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

LORD STANLEY / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s.) The Earl of Derby and stepfather to Henry Earl of Richmond.

SIR ROBERT BRAKENBURY / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 40s-50s.) Lieutenant of the Tower of London; a stubbornly loyal man.

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

MARQUESS OF DORSET / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Queen Elizabeth’s son by her previous marriage.

DUCHESS OF YORK / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 50s-60s.) Mother of King Edward IV, George of Clarence, and Richard.

LADY ANNE / ENSEMBLE (She/her. Any ethnicity. 20s-30s.) Daughter of the Earl of Warwick; widow of Prince Edward of Lancaster.

SIR WILLIAM CATESBY / ENSEMBLE (He/him. Any ethnicity. 30s-50s.) One of Richard’s chief supporters.

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