Auditions and Opportunities

SIGN UP LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FAFAD29A4F5C34-62923414-auditions#/

****Performances will be OUTDOORS in Central Park in Northfield July 10 – 19, 2026****

Rehearsals will start May 25th – schedule tbd depending on actors’ conflicts.

Performers of all genders, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, ages 18+ are encouraged to audition. Whether you have years of experience on stage or want to have your first experience acting, this summer is your chance! Please sign up for an audition time!

What: Much Ado About Nothing auditions directed by Andy Anderson; come prepared to read sides form the script, no monologue needed

When: Sunday and Monday, April 12th and 13th, 6 – 8 pm (Callback on 15th)

Where: Northfield Arts Guild (downtown bldg.), 304 Division Street S, Northfield 

Description:

Much Ado About Nothing is a Shakespearean comedy about two pairs of lovers—the romantic Claudio and Hero, and the witty, bickering Beatrice and Benedick. While the former pair falls in love instantly, the latter is tricked into falling in love by their family and friends. The plot hinges on Don John’s villainous deception that falsely accuses Hero of infidelity, leading to a faked death before a final, happy resolution

Characters: Some of the minor roles may be combined for one actor to play (ex. Messenger/Watchmen/Boy).

Beatrice: Leonato’s niece and Hero’s cousin. Beatrice is “a pleasant-spirited lady” with a very sharp tongue. She is generous and loving, but continually mocks other people with elaborately tooled jokes and puns. She wages a war of wits against Benedick and often wins the battles. At the outset of the play, she appears content never to marry.

Benedick: An aristocratic soldier who has recently been fighting under Don Pedro, and a friend of Don Pedro and Claudio. Benedick is very witty, always making jokes and puns. He carries on a “merry war” of wits with Beatrice, but he swears he will never fall in love or marry.

Claudio: A young soldier who has won great acclaim fighting under Don Pedro during the recent wars. Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. His unfortunately suspicious nature makes him quick to believe evil rumors and hasty to despair and overly dramatic reactions.

Hero: The beautiful young daughter of Leonato and the cousin of Beatrice. Hero is lovely, gentle, and kind. She falls in love with Claudio when he falls for her, but when Don John slanders her and Claudio rashly takes revenge, she suffers terribly.

Don Pedro: An important nobleman, sometimes referred to as “Prince.” Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s father, and is also close to the soldiers who have been fighting under him, especially Benedick and Claudio. Don Pedro is generous, courteous, intelligent, and loving to his friends, but he is also quick to believe evil of others.

Leonato: A respected, well-to-do, elderly noble at whose home the action is set. Leonato is the father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice. As governor of Messina, he is second in social power only to Don Pedro.

Don John: The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.” Don John is melancholy and sullen by nature, and he creates a dark scheme to ruin the happiness of Hero and Claudio. He is the villain of the play; his evil actions are motivated by his envy of his brother’s social authority.

Margaret: Hero’s serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful. Though she is honest, her lover is the mistrustful and easily bribed Borachio. Margaret loves to break decorum, especially with bawdy jokes and teases.

Borachio: An associate of Don John. Borachio is the lover of Margaret. He conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio. His name means “drunkard” in Italian, which might serve as a subtle direction to the actor playing him.

Conrade: One of Don John’s more intimate associates, entirely devoted to Don John. Several recent productions have staged Conrad as Don John’s potential male lover, possibly to intensify Don John’s feelings of being a social outcast and therefore motivate his desire for revenge.

Dogberry: The constable in charge of the Watch, or chief policeman, of Messina. Dogberry is very sincere and takes his job seriously, but he has a habit of using exactly the wrong word to convey his meaning.

Verges: The deputy to Dogberry, chief policeman of Messina.

Antonio: Leonato’s elderly brother and Hero’s uncle. He is Beatrice’s father.

Balthasar: A waiting man in Leonato’s household and a musician. Balthasar sings the song, “Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more” about accepting men’s infidelity as natural.

Ursula: One of Hero’s waiting women, and a love interest of Antonio’s

Friar Francis: The Friar that performs the wedding ceremony. Twice.

Sexton: The judge that works with Dogberry, Verges and the Watchmen to sentence Borachio and Conrade.

Messenger: Delivers news to the household multiple times.

Boy: Gets a book for Benedict

Watchmen (2): Works for Dogberry and arrests Borachio and Conrade.