Auditions

Mid City Civic Theatre is thrilled to announce auditions for our inaugural production
of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

Directed by Dr. Shannon Walsh and team

This joyful, high-energy take on Shakespeare’s classic will feature two casts, performing in rep:an adult cast (18+) and a youth cast (12 - 17), which will serve as our inaugural Civic Conservatory cohort

Auditions: Sunday, April 12 - Conservatory auditions will be from 2-5 PM, Adults from 6 - 9 PM. Callbacks (as needed) will be Monday April 13 and Tuesday April 14, 2026 6-9pm.

Performance Dates: June 11–28, 2026 *NOTE: Casts will alternate performances*

FOR AUDITIONS: Please prepare two contrasting monologues of 2 minutes or less a piece. We’d prefer at least one be a classical text of some kind and at least one comic (these can be one in the same). All actors of all abilities are encouraged to audition! Given that, actors who do not have monologues prepared will be given monologues to cold read on site. Callbacks will consist of cold reads for the parts actors are called back for.

To sign up for an audition:
Civic Conservatory

Note: Actors cast in the Civic Conservatory cohort will be asked to pay a $100 enrollment fee. This helps support teaching artist stipends and materials as part of our educational programming.

1. Fill out the audition form: https://forms.gle/aV4YJhV5qF8inJtBA
2. Choose a time slot: https://bit.ly/MuchAdoYouthAuditions

Adult Auditions
1. Fill out the audition form: https://forms.gle/8zWckGnHBvFaz8fU7
2. Choose a time slot: https://bit.ly/MuchAdoAuditionsMCCT

This production celebrates love, laughter, and community in the midst of chaos, and we’re looking for performers ready to bring wit, heart, and bold storytelling to the stage.

About the show: Benedick and Beatrice don't love each other but then they do. Claudio and Hero love each other but then they don't but then they do again. Everyone gets married.

Character Breakdown

We are committed to building a diverse cast and warmly encourage performers of all genders, races, and ethnic backgrounds to audition. 

Beatrice: Leonato's witty, sharp-tongued niece; hesitant to marry, but the life of the party.

Benedick: An aristocratic soldier under Don Pedro; a witty "merry war" rival to Beatrice, needs to feel like the smartest person in the room.

Hero: Leonato’s gentle daughter and cousin to Beatrice. Rule follower, but looking for an excuse to rebel.

Claudio: A young, honorable soldier who falls for Hero. Wants to impress his superiors and be well liked.

Don Pedro: The Prince of Aragon, who orchestrates the romances. Confident, competent, but when he isn’t on the battlefield, loves to be in the center of the intrigue.

Don John: Don Pedro's villainous brother who plots to ruin Hero and Claudio's marriage. Think of him as the frat bro who comes up with all the worst hazing ideas.

Leonato: Governor of Messina and Hero's father. Rich, loves to throw a party, anxious about his only daughter’s future.

Dogberry: The bumbling, comedic constable of the Watch. Sees more than most, but is often dismissed.

Verges: Dogberry’s elderly partner.

Margaret: A waiting gentlewoman to Hero, unknowingly involved in the plot. Margaret is also a party girl. She will be the first one to volunteer to help Hero rebel.

Ursula: Another waiting gentlewoman to Hero. Along for the ride.

Borachio: A follower of Don John and key conspirator. The dude who follows all the worst frat bro’s bad ideas.

Conrade: A close follower of Don John. The other dude who follows the worst frat bro’s bad ideas.

Friar Francis: The well-meaning priest who helps stage Hero's death. Kind and also desperate to be more relevant in social circles.

Antonio: Leonato’s brother.

Balthasar: A singer in Don Pedro’s entourage.

The Watchmen: Local officers

If you have any questions about the process, please email our stage manager, Caty LeJeune.