AUDITION NOTICE

MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN

By David Caitlin

Directed by Foster Solomon

Richmond Shakespeare announces auditions for David Catlin's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a bold, highly theatrical adaptation of Shelley's iconic novel in which Mary Shelley and the circle gathered at Villa Diodati become the characters of the story she is creating.

The production moves fluidly between the real world and Mary's imagination. A five-actor ensemble portrays Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Claire Clairmont, and Dr. John Polidori before transforming into Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, Elizabeth, and the many other characters who inhabit Mary's novel.

We are seeking adventurous, collaborative performers comfortable with physical storytelling, heightened language, ensemble work, and rapid character transformation.

To schedule an audition slot, please email Richmond Shakespeare managing director Jase Smith Sullivan jase@richmondshakespeare.org

AUDITIONS

Monday, August 24, 2026
6:00–11:00 PM

Callbacks:
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
6:00–11:00 PM

REHEARSALS

August 26–September 30, 2026

Monday–Friday | 7:00–11:00 PM
Saturdays | 1:00–5:00 PM

Actors should disclose all conflicts at the time of audition.

PERFORMANCES

October 1–November 1, 2026

Weekday noon performances are student matinees.

CASTING — FIVE ACTORS

MARY SHELLEY

Female-presenting | Any ethnicity

The brilliant young author at the center of the play. Intelligent, imaginative, passionate, and haunted by experiences of love, loss, motherhood, and creation.

Also plays Elizabeth and other characters within Mary's story.

PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

Male-presenting | Any ethnicity

Mary's husband and one of the figures gathered at Villa Diodati. Romantic, idealistic, charismatic, and intellectually adventurous.

Also plays Victor Frankenstein and other characters within Mary's story.

LORD BYRON

Male-presenting | Any ethnicity

Celebrated poet, provocateur, and host of the gathering at Villa Diodati. Magnetic, dangerous, witty, and theatrical.

Also plays the Creature and other characters within Mary's story.

CLAIRE CLAIRMONT

Female-presenting | Any ethnicity

Mary's stepsister and Byron's lover. Passionate, complicated, and deeply connected to the emotional dynamics of the group.

Claire also transforms into characters within Mary's story.

DR. JOHN POLIDORI

Male-presenting | Any ethnicity

Byron's physician and a writer in his own right. An outsider within this extraordinary circle of artists.

Polidori also transforms into characters within Mary's story.

WHAT TO PREPARE

Please prepare a 1–2 minute Gothic monologue.

Your selection may be classical or contemporary and does not need to come from Frankenstein. We encourage material that demonstrates heightened language, emotional intensity, strong storytelling, imagination, psychological complexity, and an ability to create atmosphere.

Think darkness, obsession, desire, fear, loss, the supernatural, or the uncanny.

Above all, choose something that allows us to see you as a storyteller.

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 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.