Auditions

We are thrilled to announce Shakespeare in New Bedford 2026: Hamlet, directed by Omar Laguerre-Lewis!
Welcome to Elsinore Baptist Church in the small but mighty state of Denmark, USA. Located on the border of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, our congregation is led by Reverend Claudius, who has just been elected King of Denmark following the death of his brother. Claudius has assumed this position eagerly, leading with a strong hand and reinforcing “traditional” values to strengthen his community. Those who find themselves on the edges of Claudius’ society, however, can smell something rotten in the state of Denmark.
This Hamlet is set in a church in the present-day American south, blurring the seeming divide between church and state. With emphasis on exploring grief, faith, corruption, and LGBTQ+ issues, we cannot wait to ring in our 5th year at the Rotch-Jones-Duff Museum with such an urgent and thought-provoking production.
Audition Information:
Auditions will be held by appointment only (10-minute timeslots) and held at the Steeple Playhouse, 159 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Dates & Times: Monday, May 18th 6:30-9:30, Tuesday, May 19th 6:30-9:30
Callbacks (if needed): Thursday, May 21st 6:30-9:30 (must be available in-person if called back)
Please prepare a 1-2 minute classical monologue, from any play other than Hamlet. If you are comfortable performing in a US Southern dialect, that is recommended but not required.
Additionally, this play will incorporate live singing and music. If interested in a singing or musician role, please also prepare a short song to be performed either acapella or playing your own accompaniment. Blues, folk, country, and gospel style music is encouraged. Any and all instruments are welcomed, but guitar is a priority.
Self-tapes also accepted. See form questions below for more details.
The casting breakdown can be found at the below link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-SSUrPJD5TzGdmyR_-8kRWpl0cO5vVpfMoLInLJAVNY/edit?usp=sharing
Fill out our audition form at the below link (MANDATORY for both live and self-tape auditions):
https://forms.gle/MrLTnRaM3t1bfodd8
Sign up for an audition timeslot via Sign-up Genius and list your audition timeslot in the form above when prompted:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49ABA92FABF5CE9-63777868-snbhamlet
Production Information:
Rehearsals: Beginning Monday, June 29th and primarily held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. The first week of rehearsal is on Zoom.
Tech Days: Sunday, August 9th – Wednesday, August 12th (all mandatory)
Performance Dates: August 13-16 & August 20-23 (Sensory-friendly matinees on Sundays)
Performance Location: Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 (*This is an outdoor venue. Rehearsals and performances will be outside under a tent.)
Contract & Stipend:
All cast members will be required to sign a contract and agree to our code of conduct while working with Reverie. Cast members will earn a $200 stipend, which will be distributed at the final performance.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Megan Ruggiero, Production Manager, at megan@reverietheatregroup.org.