THE NEW ORLEANS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL AT TULANE
2025 SEASON AUDITIONS
The Imaginary Invalid
by Molière
Adapted and Translated by Ryder Thornton
June 6 - 22, 2025
Directed by Anne-Liese Juge Fox
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
July 11 - 27, 2025
Directed by Graham Burk
REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES
THE IMAGINARY INVALID
*Imaginary Invalid Rehearsal Dates: May 13 – June 5, 2025 (Rehearses Tuesday - Friday evenings 6-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm)
Imaginary Invalid Performance Dates: June 6 - 22, 2025 (June 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30pm and June 8, 15, 22 at 1:30pm).
(UN)PROMPTED SHAKESPEARE
*(un)prompted Shakespeare Rehearsal Date: June 28, 2025 10am-6pm
(un)prompted Shakespeare Performance Date: June 28, 2025 at 7:30pm
(un)prompted Shakespeare returns! The Shakespeare Festival will stage a full Shakespeare play in one day without a script in hand. Actors will receive a cue script of just their lines and their cues to prepare ahead of time. The actors lines don't have to be memorized. There will be one rehearsal day. In the morning will be a fight call, and the afternoon will be a run through of the play. The script will be projected in multiple places on stage and the lines will be read like a teleprompter. The audience will also be able to see the projected lines and follow along.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
A Midsummer Night's Dream Rehearsal Dates: June 17– July 10, 2025 (Rehearses Tuesday - Friday evenings 6-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm)
A Midsummer Night's Dream Performance Dates: July 11 - July 27, 2025 (July 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30pm, July 13, 20, 27 at 1:30pm)
SEASON AUDITION DATES
Non-Equity Auditions – Saturday, January 18 (12pm – 5pm) in the Lupin Theatre on Tulane's campus
Equity Principal Auditions – Saturday, January 18 (11am - 12pm) in the Lupin Theatre on Tulane's campus
Filmed Auditions - Deadline to submit a video recording is Thursday, January 16th at 5pm. See below for filming instructions.
Callbacks – Midsummer callbacks are Saturday, January 25 (12-5pm) in the Lupin Theatre. Imaginary Invalid callbacks are Sunday, January 26 in the Lab Theatre on Tulane's campus. The callback sides that will used will be posted in early January.
NON-EQUITY SEASON AUDITION INFO
Saturday, January 18 (12pm – 5pm) in the Lupin Theatre on Tulane's campus
For a Non-Equity audition, please sign up for an audition spot HERE.
Please bring 2 copies of your headshot and resume to the audition.
For the audition, please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic Shakespeare monologue in verse or a classical comedic monologue. If auditioning for Imaginary Invalid, in addition to the monologue please prepare 16 bars of a song, a capella.
Callbacks will be held in person on January 25 (Midsummer) and January 26 (Invalid) from 12-5pm each day. You will not be needed the entire time.
EQUITY PRINCIPAL AUDITION INFO
Small Professional Theatre contract - $361/wk
Saturday, January 18 (11am - 12pm)
Please email shakespearecasting@tulane.edu with your preferred audition time to book an appointment.
Callbacks will be in person on January 25 (Midsummer) and January 26 (Invalid) from 12pm - 5pm. You will not be needed the entire time.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
For the audition, please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic Shakespeare monologue in verse or a classical comedic monologue. If auditioning for Imaginary Invalid, in addition to the monologue please prepare 16 bars of a song, a capella.
Please bring 2 copies of your headshot and resume to your audition.
AVAILABLE ROLES
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All roles are available in Midsummer. In Imaginary Invalid, Argan and Toinette have offers out.
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We encourage actors of all ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities to audition.
THE IMAGINARY INVALID
Argan: Head of the household and a wealthy, self-centered hypochondriac obsessed with his health. Most of his money goes to treating his imaginary ailments. He wants to marry his daughter to a doctor to save money. He is naïve, gullible, controlling, but ultimately well-meaning.
Toinette: Argan’s servant and Angélique’s confidante. She is resourceful, spirited, and cunning and uses her wits to protect the family.
Béline: Argan’s second wife and stepmother to both of Argan’s daughters. She wants to put Angélique and Louison into a nunnery so she can inherit Argan’s wealth when he dies.
Angélique: Argan’s elder daughter, an innocent romantic in love with Cléante. Despite her devotion to her father, she is independent and strong-willed.
Louison: Argan’s youngest daughter and sister to Angélique. She is playful and somewhat mischievous.
Dr. Diafoirus: Thomas Diafoirus’s father and a doctor. He is pompous with ridiculous loyalty to outdated medical theories and practices.
Thomas Diafoirus: Dr. Diafoirus’ son, Dr. Purgon’s nephew and a young doctor himself that Argan has selected to marry his daughter, Angélique. He is socially awkward, pendantic, extremely formal and utterly charmless.
Cléante: Angélique’s suitor, an earnest young man determined to win Angélique’s love.
Béralde: Argan’s sensible brother. He is wise, logical, and imaginative in his attempts to help bring his brother to his senses.
Dr. Purgon: Argan's favorite physician and a genuine quack. He profits greatly from Argan’s dependance on him.
Monsieur Florid: Argan’s apothecary in league with Dr. Purgon. He is very proud of his enema solutions and profits from Argan’s hypochondria.
Monsieur Bonnefoi: A notary in cahoots with Béline to redirect Argan’s inheritance to Béline.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Hermia: Fiery, headstrong romantic. Mighty and absolutely following her heart.
Lysander: Headstrong romantic. Has "true love conquers all” energy. Romantic to a fault.
Demetrius: Persistent and proud. Starts as a pain, but love softens his edges (eventually).
Helena: Loyal, lovesick, and a bit of a hot mess. Funny, self-deprecating, and full of heart.
Oberon: The Fairy King. Commanding, mischievous, and a master schemer (but not infallible).
Titania: The Fairy Queen. Elegant, strong, and doesn’t back down from anyone—especially Oberon.
Puck: Chaotic mischief-maker. Quick, witty, and always stirring up magical mayhem.
Theseus: The no-nonsense Duke of Athens. Regal, grounded, and occasionally fun (when he’s not enforcing laws).
Hippolyta: Queen with quiet power. Sharp, poised, and not afraid to call Theseus out when needed.
Egeus: Over-dramatic parent insisting their way is the only way.
Philostrate: Event planner extraordinaire. Polished, efficient, and totally over it.
The Mechanicals: A lovable group of actors trying their best.
- Bottom: Unstoppable ham with delusions of grandeur.
- Quince: Overworked director.
- Flute: Reluctant romantic lead.
- Snout: Practical, plays a wall.
- Snug: Nervous but lovable.
- Starveling: Deadpan comic.
The Fairies: Titania’s magical entourage. Graceful, playful, and just a bit mischievous.
Several roles will be double cast. Double casting TBD.
FILMED AUDITIONS
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We are accepting filmed auditions.
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If you would like to submit a filmed audition, please email your headshot, resume, and filmed audition/link to shakespearecasting@tulane.edu
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The submission deadline for filmed auditions is Thursday, January 16th at 5pm.
FILMED SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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For the audition, please prepare a 1-2 minute comedic Shakespeare monologue in verse or a classical comedic monologue. If auditioning for Imaginary Invalid, in addition to the monologue please prepare 16 bars of a song, a capella.
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Slate with your name and monologue (or include a title card)
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Please have at least 3/4 of your body in the camera frame. Please refrain from close-up shots.
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There is no housing or transportation available.
CALLBACK SIDES
ADDITIONAL AUDITION INFO
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All roles are paid.
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Actors are expected to be memorized for the first rehearsal.
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There is no housing or transportation available.
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We encourage actors of all ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities to audition.
