Name: Auditions for Much Ado About Nothing
Start: 2025-04-01T19:00:00-04:00
Location: 7301 Shull Rd, Dayton, OH 45424-1266, United States

REMINDER: Auditions for our production of Much Ado About Nothing will be held on March 31st and April 1st at the Huber Heights Senior Center. If you haven’t signed up for the audition yet you can go ahead and do so now online here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FzY2ew5BtNjPWe8geg6gB3WyffHXHzcRFNyoFeudmEM/edit (you don’t need to sign up in advance but if you don’t you’ll just need to answer the same questions on a physical paper at the audition, so you might as well do it now).
If you are unable to attend the in-person audition you can submit a video audition here anytime before 9pm on April 1st: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UAdRpRtb3LvZGTkAnv9gCATsMqj0t5JfXfb7_pKMBms/edit (video submissions should consist of a 1-2 minute classical monologue).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Show: Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare’s classic comedy concerning the trials and tribulations of two very different couples. Our production shifts the story from its original renaissance Italy setting to the USA of the roaring twenties, changing most of the characters from soldiers and debutants to mafiosos and flappers in the process.
What you should have prepared for the audition: The audition will consist of cold readings from the script, which means that you need to have nothing prepared but yourself! If you would like to prepare a 1 - 2 minute classical monologue we would love to hear it, but it is certainly not required. If you have a resume and headshot to bring we would appreciate it, but it is also not a requirement. Sides can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gVIAbkyUS1Zl91FQQ5vKw-kW4dA4g_ySSsk-cpCPD3U/edit
Rehearsal times and locations: Rehearsals will begin April 7th and will be held Mondays through Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm. Weather permitting rehearsals will be held at Eichelberger Amphitheater in Huber Heights, Ohio, otherwise rehearsals will be held at the Huber Heights Senior Center.
Performance times and location: Performances will be May 30th - June 1st and June 6th - June 8th at Eichelberger Amphitheater.
ROLES BEING CAST
Leonato – lead, Male, 40s or above, a mafia lieutenant who loves his family (but may just love his sense of honor more)
Hero – lead, Female, late teens to early 20s, Leonato’s daughter, a modest and traditional young woman
Beatrice – lead, Female, 20s – 30s, Leonato’s niece, a strong-willed woman who is not afraid to challenge the men in her life
Antonio – supporting, Male or Female, 40s or above, Leonato’s brother (but NOT Beatrice’s father). May be played as Leonato’s wife if a female-presenting performer is cast in the role.
Margaret and Ursula – supporting, Female, 20s or above, two maids employed by Leonato
Don Pedro – lead, Male, 30s or above, a mafia boss, fancies himself to be something of a cupid
Claudio – lead, Male, late teens to early 20s, a young mafia soldier who has recently earned the Don’s favor, loves Hero, but is very naïve in his infatuation
Benedick – lead, Male, 20s – 30s, another favorite of the Don’s, trapped in an eternal verbal sparring match with Beatrice (he always wins, at least in his head)
Balthasar – featured, Male or Female, 20s or above, an entertainer who is indebted to the Don
John – supporting, Male, 20s or above, the Don’s brother, a self-professed “plain-dealing villain”
Borachio – supporting, Male, 20s or above, John’s henchman, a liar, schemer and braggart
Conrade – supporting, Male or Female, 20s or above, another henchman or possibly John’s lover
Dogberry – lead, Male or Female, 20s or above, a bumbling beat cop who happens to be in Leonato’s pocket
Verges – supporting, Male or Female, 20s or above, Dogberry’s partner
George Seacoal – featured, Male or Female, 20s or above, leader of the local neighborhood watch
Two Watchpeople- featured, Male or Female, 20s or above, members of the neighborhood watch
a Clerk – featured, Male or Female, 20s or above, a secretary brought in to take down a statement
a Priest – supporting, Male, 20s or above, a wedding officiant who proves to be quite the schemer
Other important things to note:
No prior experience with Shakespeare, acting, or Shakespearean acting is required to audition. All are welcome and encouraged. Shakespeare in the Heights is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in our theater spaces. Performers who are transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer or of any alternative gender expression are encouraged to audition for any role they may identify with. That being said, we see gender dynamics as being a very central element of the plot of Much Ado About Nothing, meaning that to tell the story as we envision it we would prefer for certain characters to be portrayed with a particular gender expression. Refer to the list above to see which characters we intend to cast as either male or female.