A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Auditions

Swamp Meadow Community Theatre is excited to announce auditions for our Summer 2026 play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Auditions will be held on May 14th, 16th & 18th 

Audition Locations and Times: 

• Thurs May 14th: : 6:00pm-9:00pm: Woody Lowden Recreation Center – 16 Howard Hill Rd. Foster, RI 
• Mon May 18th: 6:00pm-9:00pm: Woody Lowden Recreation Center – 16 Howard Hill Rd. Foster, RI
• Sat May 16th 11:00am-2:00pm: Greenville Public Library Recital Room – 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI (Downstairs)

Participants must be 16+ to Audition

Please complete the form to select your audition day. Participants should plan to stay for the full duration of their scheduled audition and may leave once they have finished. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to allow time for any unexpected delays.

Preparation

Participants will be asked to read scenes based on the characters they specify they are most interested on the audition form. You may find selected scenes here.

The audition form includes a section for listing any special skills. If possible, please come prepared to demonstrate these skills. For example, if you can juggle, bring the necessary equipment (balls, clubs, etc.) to showcase your ability. If a skill cannot be demonstrated due to space constraints, please submit a video of yourself performing it to Jen at jennifer_nolan24@yahoo.com.

Be prepared for a dance call at the audition. Participants will learn a quick routine with a group of in front of the audition panel. Dress accordingly for movement. 

If you have an actor’s resume/headshot, please bring a copy (letter paper suffices). *Video may be taken of the auditions. 

If callbacks are needed, they will be held on Thursday, May 21st @ 6:00pm-7:45pm, at the Greenville Public Library Recital Room – 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI (Downstairs)

Inquiries can be made to Jen at jennifer_nolan24@yahoo.com for any further questions.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm-9pm beginning June 2nd. Once cast, all actors should assume they need to attend every rehearsal unless otherwise stated. Rehearsal locations will be at Woody Lowden Recreation Center (16 Howard Hill Rd, Foster, RI) or, if needed, at a location in Chepachet, RI (address will be disclosed once cast). A clear rehearsal schedule will be provided after casting. Schedule is subject to change on a week to week basis.

Tech Week/Performance Dates:

Tech week will run from August 3rd through August 6th. Call time will remain 6:00pm-9:00pm Monday-Wednesday. Thursday’s rehearsal will be will be provided closer to the show but will be on site at Kent Pavilion (1111 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI). *There may be a longer rehearsal on Saturday, August 1 or Sunday, August 2 at the Kent Pavilion as well which also will be determined closer to the show.  

Due to the location of the show, the set will need to be set up and broken down each day we are at the Pavilion and actors will be expected to help with set up and breakdown in some way. 

Performance dates are:

• Friday, August 7th at 7pm
• Saturday, August 8th at 7pm
• Sunday, August 9th at 2pm

Call time for actors will be at 5:30pm and 12:30pm on show days.

Actors will be required to stay after the last show on Sun August 9th and help move out of the pavilion. Jobs and duties will be provided at a later date. 

Monday-Wednesday tech week rehearsals will be held at Woody Lowden Recreation Center and Thursday’s rehearsal and performances will be held at Kent Pavilion – 1111 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI

Please note tech week rehearsals and performance dates are mandatory for cast members. Any rehearsal, tech week, or performance conflicts must be disclosed to production staff upon auditioning.

Swamp Meadow Community Theatre encourages and accepts actors and volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities including those who are LGBTQIA+, people of color, people with disabilities, gender non-conforming people. We are seeking, encouraging and accepting actors of all backgrounds and abilities to audition.

There is no fee to participate in this production. If cast, actors will be encouraged to help create or donate props, costumes, sets, etc. While this is encouraged and greatly helps the production succeed, it is not required to participate.

Available Roles

Genders and ages pertain to the character; any actor may audition for any role. CONTENT WARNING: This show contains stage kissing and stage fighting.

This show will be a production of Shakespeare meets Circus meets Commedia dell’arte. How the character fits into that theme are listed here as well.

The Lovers/Circus Patrons:

• Lysander (M, 16-20): A young circus patron. In love with Hermia. Hermia’s father (Egeus)is against her marrying him, he persuades Hermia to run away to the circus with him.
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and stage fighting

• Demetrius (M, 16-20):  A young circus patron. In the past he acted as if he loved Helena, but after Helena fell in love with him, he changed his mind and having the approval of Egeus, he pursues Hermia. (But she’s not interested)
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and stage fighting
    
• Hermia (F, 16-20): Egeus’s daughter. Both Demetrius and Lysander are in love with her. She is in love with Lysander. Very strong-willed and independent.
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and stage fighting
    
• Helena (F, 16-20): A good friend of Hermia’s and is in love with Demetrius. She tends to be more self-pitying and puts herself in dangerous and humiliating situations, running after Demetrius to the circus even though he wants nothing to do with her.
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and stage fighting

The Mechanicals (aka Clowns)

• Quince (Any gender, 30s-60s): Whiteface clown (the most senior, sophisticated, and often “straight” character in circus tradition) The writer/director of the play within the play
  
• Bottom (M, 30s-50s): Auguste clown (a popular, chaotic, and playful clown known for being the “butt of the joke”) Chosen to play Pyramus in the play
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and “cuddling”
    
• Snug (M, 20s-50s): Tramp clown (Sad/down-on-their-luck clown). Chosen to play the lion in the play.
  
• Flute (M, 20s-30s): Character (Fireman) clown. Chosen to play Thisbe in the play. Forced to play a young girl in love
  
• Snout (Any gender, 30s-50s): Character (Handyman) clown. Chosen to play Pyramus’s father in the play. Ends up playing the part of the Wall, dividing the two lovers in the play.
  
• Starveling (Any gender, 30s-50s): Character (Tailor) clown: The tailor chosen to play Thisbe’s mother in the play/ends up playing the part of Moonshine. 

The Fairies 

• Oberon (M, 30s-50s): The Ringmaster of the circus/Il Capitano character from Commedia dell’arte. The King of the Fairies who rules with Titania
  
• Titania (F, 30s-50s): The arielist of the circus, one who captures all attention. Queen of the Fairies who rules with Oberon.
  • Note: Part involves a stage kiss and “cuddling”
    
• PuckAKA Robin Goodfellow (Any gender, 18-30): Zanni character from Commedia dell’arte and servant to Oberon (Ringmaster) A mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. He has a connection not only to the fairy and human worlds of the play, but also to the world of the audience.
  • Note: this part may be split into two characters if the right combo is found

Other Circus Characters:

• Theseus (M, 30s-40s): Strong Man of the circus and about to marry his love, Hippolyta, the lion tamer
  
• Hippolyta (F, 20s-60s): Lion Tamer of the circus, engaged to Theseus
  
• Ensemble: Characters such as additional fairies, Hippolyta’s lions, and anything else that may be deemed necessary for the world of the play. 

Other Humans:

• Egeus (50s-60s): An upper-class respected gentleman who wants his daughter Hermia to marry Demetrius, his choice for her.
  
• Philostrate (Any gender, any age): Wedding planner who is responsible for organizing the entertainment for Theseus’ and Hippolyta’s marriage celebration  

Forward any audition-related questions to Jen at jennifer_nolan24@yahoo.com

• Dates & Times
• May 14, 2026 – 6:00pm-9:00pm: Woody Lowden Recreation Center
• May 16, 2026 – 11:00am-2:00pm: Greenville Public Library
• May 18, 2026 – 6:00pm-9:00pm: Woody Lowden Recreation Center
• *May 21, 2026 – 6:00pm-7:45 pm: Greenville Public Library
  *Only if callbacks are needed