Romeo & Zooliet Auditions
The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival is now accepting auditions from equity and non-equity members for the 2026 Shakespeare Festival production of Romeo & Zooliet written by Jennifer Joan Thompson and directed by Tom Ridgely.
IN-PERSON AUDITIONS
In-person auditions will be held on May 16, 2026 from 10 am to 6 pm. Please note, we will break for lunch from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
Callbacks will take place on Mach 17, 2026 from 10 am-6 pm with a lunch break from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
Audition Tips:
- Read for only one role
- Memorize the side, or at least get the point where you don’t need to constantly look at the paper
- Research the play, role, and side. What’s happening in the larger story here?
- Try and present a cohesive creative vision. Be the director of your own audition. Make choices about who your version of the character is. You want your audition to be distinct and to have a point of view.
- No accents please. Please use your natural voice.
Please Prepare:
- Audition Side for either Nurse or Friar Laurence, linked below.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
NURSE: Juliet’s nanny. A salty hippo who tells it like it is and would do anything to see Juliet happy. Also puppets: VETERINARIAN: A mad scientist. Orangutan.
FRIAR LAURENCE: A wise old owl, who just wants to help two crazy kids out.
ROMEO (cast): Our hero. A curious, playful, and good-natured prairie dog. Longing for connection.
JULIET (cast): Our heroine. A carnivore, but, honestly, she’s just not that into meat. She thinks there must be more to life than skewering a carcass and longs for friendship and adventure. Grizzly.
MERCUTIO (cast): A red panda. Romeo’s ride or die. A jovial spirit, a loyal friend, up for anything. Especially bamboo. Doubles with: FRIAR JOHN: In no hurry. Tortoise.
LADY CAPULET(cast): Juliet’s mother. A glamorous grizzly, whose habitat is in the most sought after locations. Loves to see and be seen. She wants to see her daughter happy, but in the right company of course. And lest you forget: middle aged bears have needs too. Also does voice for: VETERINARIAN: A mad scientist. Orangutan.
TYBALT(cast): Juliet’s cousin. Fearsome, regal, king of the jungle. He is a tiger, and he wants you to know it.
PARIS (cast): An unsuitable suitor. Looking for a way to improve his position. Does he…feel a little something for Lady Cap? Maybe. A Crocodile. Cold hands. Doubles with: PRINCE ESCALUS: The law-and-order ruler of Zoorona. Masterful with a ball trick. Sea lion. And PETER PENGUIN: An exhausted father, doing his best. Could really use some coffee.
AUDITION PROCESS
- Please sign up for an audition slot by using the form linked below.
- Upload your resume and headshot here.
Questions? Email Megan Gooch at Megan@STLShakes.org
Sign up for our email list using the link below to be notified of upcoming audition deadlines. You’ll receive show announcements and promotions as well as special alerts for casting calls.
Audition Sides SIGN UP