We are looking to cast 10-12 actors, all of whom will have at least one role in each show.
Roles will not necessarily be cast according to the age, gender, race, ethnicity, or other identities traditionally associated with these characters. Please feel free to express your interest in any role.
The Taming of the Shrew
A message from the director: the following character breakdown includes the character name, followed by a grouping number, general age range and rough archetype. The ‘grouping number’ is to let you know what roles are likely to be combined together within Taming.
Example. Baptista (1) will also be Nathaniel and the Haberdasher
Baptista (1) – ‘Older’ – Father to Katherine and Bianca. Trying to do right by his children but not always succeeding.
Katherine (2) – ‘Younger’ – Outspoken and outcast. Strong of will but with a tender streak.
Bianca (3) – ‘Younger’ – Clever and wants to marry for love.
Petruchio (4) –‘Younger/Older’ - At times the most charming person in the room. At others the most terrifying.
Gremio (5) –‘Older’ – A lovesick Suitor.
Hortensio (6) – ‘Younger/Older’ – A love sick suitor and musician.
Lucentio (7) – ‘Younger’ – A reckless and adventurous spirit.
Vincentio (8) – ‘Older’ – A wealthy merchant and father to Lucentio.
Tranio (9)– ‘Younger’ – Quick witted and clever servant to Lucentio. In equal parts a fool and a wise man.
Biondello (10) – ‘Younger/Older’ – Servant to Lucentio a clown
Grumio (11) – ‘Younger’ – Servant to Petruchio, a clown
A Merchant (12)
Other Characters
Curtis (9) -Servant
Nathaniel (1) – Servant
Phillip (5) – Servant
Joseph (8) – Servant
Nicholas (12) – Servant
Peter (10)– Servant
Widow (12)
Tailor (9)
Haberdasher (1)
Officer (6)
Messenger (8)
The Tamer Tamed
Underlined notes indicate which roles they are likely to be doubled with for Taming of the Shrew.
Petruchio - Has taken a second wife after the death of his first wife, Kate. Still charming, still terrifying, but has been changed by his first marriage and is about to be changed even further by his second. Will play Petruchio in both shows.
Maria - Petruchio’s second wife. Appears sweet and docile until their marriage, when she rebels and unleashes a string of ruses aimed at “taming” her wild husband. Doubled with Katherine.
Livia - Maria’s sister. In love with Roland against her father’s wishes and comes up with her own ruse to marry him instead of another suitor. Doubled with Bianca.
Julia - Maria and Livia’s cousin. Opinionated and independent, she is an accomplice to both Maria and Livia’s various plots, and, notably, ends the play unmarried. Doubled with the Widow. Note: This character's name has been changed from Bianca in the original text to avoid confusion with Shakespeare’s Bianca, who is not the same character.
Roland - Fickle and changeable. In love with Livia, and when Livia appears to spurn him and join Maria’s rebellion, he enters a wager with Tranio never to love again. Doubled with Lucentio.
Petronius - Maria and Livia’s father, who is trying to arrange a marriage between Livia and Moroso when Maria rebels. Doubled with Bapista.
Tranio - Friend of both Roland and Petruchio, who ends up helping Livia in her ruse to win Roland. Doubled with Tranio.
Moroso - Elderly suitor to Livia. Maybe doubled with Gremio.
Sophocles - Friend to Petruchio who advises him throughout Maria’s rebellion. Maybe doubled with Hortensio.
Jaques - Servant to Petruchio, who comments on the action.
Pedro - Servant to Petruchio, who also comments on the action.
Other roles include: City wife, country wife, watchmen, servants.