Auditions

Southern Shakespeare Company auditions are open to all – from experienced performers to those stepping on stage for the first time. We are always thrilled to welcome new talent to our productions!

Auditions for adult (age 18+) union and non-union performers are held periodically throughout the year. (For auditions for Tallahassee area after school youth program, please see our Bardlings page.)

We advocate for diversity throughout our organization and strongly encourage auditions from members of traditionally underrepresented groups.

If you would like to receive email notification about future auditions, please use the button below to submit your name and contact information.

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Current Auditions

AUDITIONS FOR The Tempest – October 18 and 19, 2025

🌪️ Audition Notice: The Tempest – 2026 Shakespeare in the Park Festival
Auditions are happening for The Tempest, the mainstage production of the 2026 Shakespeare in the Park Festival at Cascades Park!

Join us for a story of sorcery, shipwrecks, and stormy reckonings as Prospero conjures spirits and settles old scores in this magical Shakespearean classic.

Audition Dates:
📅 October 18 & 19 | 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: 136 Progress Drive, Tallahassee, FL
🎥 Video Auditions Due: October 16 — send to james@southernshakes.org with subject line: “[Your Name] TEMPEST Video Submission”

SIGN UP: https://signup.com/go/iAiUXWK

Singers and Dancers welcome! Actors should be local to Tallahassee, and walk-ins are welcome!

We kindly ask auditionees to prepare up to 60 seconds of memorized text, preferably a Shakespearean verse monologue. However, any prepared piece is welcome. No monologue? No problem—come anyway. Your interest and presence are what matter most!

Rehearsals will begin in December and run through February. The 2026 Shakespeare in the Park Festival is February 19 – 22, 2026. Some roles may be double cast.

We will also be seeing actors for the May 2025 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rehearsals will be in April 2026 and performances will take place at the Tallahassee Museum May 1-3 and May 8 – 10, 2026.

📬 For questions, please contact director James Alexander Bond at james@southernshakes.org.

Join the storm. Be part of the magic.

Overview of Roles

Principal Characters

Prospero – Celebrity Guest – The rightful Duke of Milan, a powerful magician, stranded with his daughter.
Miranda* – Prospero’s daughter, who has grown up on the island.
Ferdinand* – Son of Alonso, the King of Naples; falls in love with Miranda.
Ariel – A spirit servant of Prospero, capable of magical feats; often invisible to humans.
Caliban – The monstrous son of a witch and native of the island; enslaved by Prospero.
Alonso/Alonsa – King (or Queen) of Naples, parent of Ferdinand.
Sebastian – Alonso’s sibling, plotting against the crown.
Antonio – Prospero’s brother, who usurped his dukedom; schemes with Sebastian.
Gonzalo – A kind-hearted councilor of Naples who helped Prospero and Miranda escape.
Trinculo – A jester.
Stephano – A drunken butler.
Boatswain – Appears at the beginning during the shipwreck scene.

The Magic!

Ceres (singer) – Goddess of agriculture and fertility.
Juno (singer) – Queen of the gods, brings blessings of marriage.
Iris (singer) – Goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods.
Other Spirits – Singers, dancers, and movers encouraged to audition!

Ensemble

Courtiers, Sailors, Attendants, etc.

*Teenagers are especially encouraged to audition for Miranda and Ferdinand.
Singers and dancers encouraged for spirit and goddess Magical roles.

General Audition Information

All currently open auditions for Southern Shakespeare Company shows are listed here and on our social media. Typically, auditions request at least one <60 second monologue suited to the show’s style.

General Audition Form