AUDITION NOTICE
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN (ABRIDGED)
By Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch
Directed by Nathan Whitmer
Richmond Shakespeare announces auditions for The Complete Works of Jane Austen (abridged), a fast-paced, irreverent, and affectionate romp through the world of one of literature’s most beloved authors.
Six novels. Three actors. One wildly entertaining evening.
From Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility to Emma, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Northanger Abbey, three performers take on Austen’s unforgettable heroines, dashing gentlemen, meddling mothers, ridiculous relations, and more—switching characters at breakneck speed along the way.
We are seeking three fearless comic performers with strong character work, excellent comic timing, physicality, and a willingness to make bold choices. Performers should be comfortable with direct audience interaction, rapid character transformations, heightened language, and playing with a variety of accents.
To schedule an audition slot, please email Richmond Shakespeare Managing Director Jase Smith Sullivan at jase@richmondshakespeare.org.
AUDITIONS
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Auditions - 3:00–6:00 PM
Callbacks - 6:00 PM
SPARC – School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community
2106 North Hamilton Street
Richmond, VA 23230 SPARC Richmond
In attendance at auditions: Director Nathan Whitmer, Producer Jase Sullivan
REHEARSALS
Beginning December 28, 2026
Rehearsals will be held at:
SPARC – School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community
2106 North Hamilton Street
Richmond, VA 23230 SPARC Richmond
Load-in begins January 11, 2027, with technical rehearsals beginning approximately January 21 at Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym.
Actors should disclose all conflicts at the time of audition.
PERFORMANCES
January 28–February 21, 2027
Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym
114 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220 Virginia Repertory Theatre
Additional performance schedule, including student matinees, will be provided to auditioning performers.
CASTING —
Seeking Three Actors
(Union and non-union actors will be considered for all roles.)
JESSICA
Female-presenting | Adult | Any ethnicity
The “soprano” of the trio. Energetic, passionate, playful, and an enthusiastic Austen devotee whose particular favorite is Pride and Prejudice. Jessica brings a lively energy to the proceedings and dives enthusiastically into Austen’s world.
We are seeking a quick-witted comic performer with strong character work, physical comedy, infectious energy, and the ability to move rapidly between characters, voices, and accents.
Characters include: Jane Bennet, Kitty Bennet, Mr. Bingley, Emma Woodhouse, Harriet Smith, Lady Susan, Marianne Dashwood, Fanny Dashwood, and Lucy Steele.
CHARLOTTE
Female-presenting | Adult | Any ethnicity
The “alto” of the trio. Quick-witted, grounded, and possessing perhaps a little more sense than prejudice, Chuck has an enormous love for Persuasion and takes on a dizzying assortment of characters throughout Austen’s world.
This track includes the largest monologue in the play and calls for a performer with strong comic instincts, excellent character work, confidence with language, and the ability to move quickly and distinctly between characters and accents.
Characters include: Lizzy Bennet, Mary Bennet, Lydia Bennet, Mr. Collins, Mr. Elton, Weston, Miss Bates, Elinor Dashwood, and John Dashwood.
TREVOR
Male-presenting | Adult | Any ethnicity
An outsider to the Austen universe who takes a chance that the women might need a replacement male performer for their show. With virtually no prior knowledge of Austen’s novels, he is promptly thrown into the deep end—and asked to portray some of the most famous characters in English literature.
This role calls for an actor with excellent comic timing, a love of ridiculous character work, strong physical comedy, and the ability to jump enthusiastically between characters and accents.
Characters include: Mr. Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Dashwood, Edward Ferrars, John Willoughby, and Colonel Brandon.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Please prepare a 1–2 minute comedic monologue.
Your selection may be classical or contemporary and does not need to come from Jane Austen.
We encourage material that demonstrates comic timing, strong characterization, physicality, heightened language, direct storytelling, and a willingness to make bold choices.
An accent is not required for your prepared monologue, but performers should be comfortable exploring dialect and vocal characterization during the rehearsal process.
Above all, choose something that allows us to see you as a comic actor and storyteller.
Auditionees may also be asked to read sides from the play and participate in character or ensemble exercises at callbacks.
Richmond Shakespeare is committed to inclusive casting and encourages performers of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds to audition.
To schedule an audition slot, please email Richmond Shakespeare Managing Director Jase Smith Sullivan at jase@richmondshakespeare.org.
Richmond Shakespeare is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.