Audition Announcement
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Baron Kelly
AUDITION INFORMATION:
University Theatre auditions are open to all UW-Madison students, regardless of major.
Auditions: Friday, November 14 1-5 pm and 6-9 pm, Saturday, November 15 10 am – 2 pm; Vilas 1090
Note: November 14 1-5 pm and November 15 10 am – 2 pm priority for Little Women company.
Please sign up for a time via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D49AAA822AAF49-59916767-much#/
Callbacks: Sunday, November 16 10:00 – 11:30 am Vilas 1090
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Actors are encouraged to read the script prior to auditions. Perusal copies of the script are available in the Department of Theatre and Drama Main Office, 6173 Vilas, 821 University Ave, during regular hours 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday. A digital copy may be accessed at the link here (note: not final script for performance – final script will be cut and edited).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1txQf_4p0oqO-mvJdxMtbsQCKvBY_iQdR/view?usp=sharing
For Auditions:
Please prepare a 1-1.5 minute memorized Shakespearean monologue (not from Much Ado). Also, select one of the sonnets from this document to prepare (need not be memorized and hard copies will be available at auditions).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iT4hQdMKh7sv6iEFbBf3MvHzuKesod3p/view?usp=sharing
For Callbacks:
Actors called back will receive an email in advance with details.
THE PLAY:
The quintessential romantic comedy. Sparks fly when the mutually disdainful Beatrice and Benedick engage in their war of words against marriage and each other. Against the backdrop of the impending wedding of young lovers Hero and Claudio, the friends of Beatrice and Benedick scheme to bring the sharp-tongued antagonists into a “mountain of affection.” Deception, reversals, and outright villainy threaten to ruin the nuptials but love triumphs over all with wit, merriment, and charm.
Content advisory: This production contains themes of misogyny, emotional manipulation, and public shaming. It includes references to sex, deception, and staged death, as well as scenes of verbal aggression and implied threats of violence.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
- Rehearsals begin: Table work December 2-5, 6-10 pm. Staging rehearsals begin Monday, February 23. Rehearsals for University Theatre will take place 6-10 pm Monday-Friday.
- Performances: April 16-26, 2026 with a student matinee on Friday, April 24 at 10 am.
- Venue: Mitchell Theatre
- Student actors cast in this production must register for 1-3 credits of THEATRE 360.
OPEN ROLES
The play will be set in the Edwardian era (Pre-WW1) (think Merchant Ivory movies like A Room with a View). British accents will not be used.
Some roles will be doubled by other characters. Some roles in the ensemble will play smaller parts as well as understudy.
- Claudio – Romantic interest to Hero. Highly competent soldier, although he doesn’t look it. Easily swayed by Don John into believing that Hero has been unfaithful.
- Hero – Romantic interest to Claudio. Cousin of Beatrice, Daughter of Leonato.
- Benedick – Romantic interest to Beatrice. Soldier with Claudio and Don Pedro. Quick with a retort, has a longtime rivalry with Beatrice. Rejects marriage until he overhears that Beatrice is in love with him.
- Beatrice – Romantic interest to Benedick. Cousin of Hero, niece of Leonato and Ursula. Quick witted, has a longtime rivalry with Benedick. Rejects marriage until she overhears that Benedick is in love with her.
- Don Pedro – Prince of Aragon. Half-brother to Don John. Helps Claudio propose to Hero. Hatches the plan to make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love.
- Don John – Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother. Lost the battle to Don Pedro’s forces. Enacts the plan to trick Claudio.
- Leonato – Father of Hero, uncle of Beatrice, Governor of Messina. Welcomes Don Pedro’s forces warmly into his home. Helps to convince Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him.
- Ursula – Aunt to Beatrice and Hero. Sister of Leonato. Alongside Hero, convinces Beatrice that Benedick is in love with her. (this role is combined with the character of Antonio)
- Dogberry – The Town Constable who frequently messes up his words. Accidentally discovers the plot to trick Claudio.
- Verges – Headborough, second in command to Dogberry.
- Borachio – Associate to Don John, seduces Margaret to trick Claudio.
- Conrade – Associate to Don John.
- Sexton – Town Clerk, Minor parish authority.
- Friar Francis – Marries Claudio and Hero, comes up with the plan to fake Hero’s death.
- Balthasar – Court Musician
- Margaret – Hero’s handmaiden, seduced by Borachio for Don John’s plot.
- 1st Watch – Member of the watch
- 2nd Watch – Member of the watch
- Messenger, Lord, Boy, Attendants
Understudies
This production will also cast understudies. Understudies learn designated roles and attend specified rehearsals. Expectations will be clearly laid out in the syllabus in advance.
Staged Intimacy: Any physical interaction that conveys or implies sexual, romantic, or sexually charged content will be led by the Intimacy Director. All instances of staged intimacy are noted below. There will be no staged intimacy during auditions or callbacks.
Staged Intimacy Moments:
- Claudio kisses Hero, page 74
- Beatrice and Benedick hold hands, page 204-206
- Beatrice and Benedick kiss passionately, page 259
- Beatrice and Benedick kiss and embrace, pages 280, 282, 284
Staged Violence: Any physical interaction that involves real or simulated violence will be led by a trained Fight Director. All instances of staged violence are noted below. There will be no staged violence during auditions or callbacks.
Staged Violence Moments:
- Stylized slow motion rough housing with soldiers, pages 2-12
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Do you have questions?? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Artistic Director Aly Amidei at aramidei@wisc.edu or Director of Theatre Production Jahana Azodi at jazodi@wisc.edu