AUDITIONS & JOBS

2026 SUMMER SEASON JOBS:

​

ACTOR CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

​

Submission Deadline: Friday Nov. 14th at 5pm

Please direct any questions to Drew Douris-O'Hara (he/him), Associate Artistic Director

at: drew@shakespearebythesea.ca

​​

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A New Musical

Book by Dan Bray

Music and Lyrics by Garry Williams

Directed by Jesse MacLean 

Musical Direction by Shanoa Phillips

 

JULIUS CAESAR

Adapted and Directed by Drew Douris-O'Hara

 

UNREHEARSED HAMLET

A one night only, unrehearsed presentation of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy! 

 

Shakespeare by the Sea (SBTS) rehearsal begins June 9th 2026, opening July 4th, 2026, and closing Aug 30th, 2026. Shakespeare by the Sea performs outdoors in Point Pleasant Park, located in K'jipuktuk (Halifax, NS). SBTS productions run in repertory, with all actors appearing in multiple productions.

 

SBTS is a CAEA “G” House, working under the Independent Theatre Agreement.

 

Shakespeare by the Sea creates theatre that is inviting, inclusive, and accessible to all. In aiming to gather an ensemble that reflects the diverse community we serve, we strongly encourage submissions from artists of diverse cultural backgrounds, and will be prioritizing submissions from applicants who self-identify as members of underrepresented communities.

 

Submission Notes: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!) 

• Please include any/all roles you wish to be considered for in your submission. In keeping with our casting by consent policy, actors will only be considered for roles which they submit for. 

​

• Former SBTS company members, or those known to the directors, are encouraged to submit for roles they are interested in and feel suited for. In keeping with our casting by consent policy, former company members will only be considered for roles which they submit for.

 

• All roles are open to any gender, and we are advocates of “non-traditional casting”.

 

• Applicants are asked to include their photo and resume in a single PDF. 

 

• Playing instruments may be an asset. Please list any instruments you play! 

 

• If you have puppetry experience please note that in your submission. 

 

At this time SBTS is holding auditions in K'jipuktuk (Halifax, NS). Artists unable to audition in K’jipuktuk are welcome to submit, and may be invited to send a video audition.  

​

 

Applicants are asked to submit through the following google form: 

https://forms.gle/6KmsGe8zGWjXnk5T8

​

---

​

SHOW DETAILS AND CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

​

BEAUTY AND AND BEAST: A New Musical 

Based on the story Beauty and the Beast

Book by Dan Bray

Music and Lyrics by Garry Williams 

Directed by Jesse MacLean 

Musical Direction by Shanoa Phillips

 

SHOW DESCRIPTION: 

An original musical comedy inspired by Beauty and the Beast!

Created by Dan Bray (Book) and Garry Williams (Music & Lyrics), this brand-new show makes its world premiere this summer. In this hilarious twist on classic fairy tales, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Cinderella compete for their happily ever afters… and for likes, followers, and fame. But while the others chase clout, the “chronically offline” Belle challenges them to find real happiness beyond the algorithm. A joyful, modern fable about living in the moment, breaking free from expectations, and embracing what makes you truly unique.

 

CHARACTER NOTES:

All Characters will be doubling as Ensemble, and will be required to sing and dance.

 

Character age and vocal range requirements are generally not listed, unless they are specified in the script or score. We invite actors to think outside the traditional casting box when considering their interest. In some cases character pronouns may be listed, but all roles are open to those who submit for them.

 

BELLE (Character pronouns: she/her or they/them)

Practical, independent, headstrong; able to look beyond appearances. Brings out the best in others. Believes in true love. 

Ensemble Roles: Chorus

​

SNOW WHITE (Character pronouns: she/her or they/them) 

An influencer famous for her makeup/skincare tutorials. She is in it to win it. Smart, cool, feisty. Bit of a tomboy (given the fact she lives with seven guys), and secretly insecure.

Ensemble Roles: Witch/Puppeteer/Chorus

​

RAPUNZEL (Character pronouns: she/her or they/them) 

An influencer dedicated to her hair-styling/hair-based infrastructure channel. Cheeky, sarcastic, and cool, but insecure.  

Ensemble Roles: Witch/Puppeteer/Chorus

​

CINDERELLA (Character pronouns: she/her or they/them) 

An influencer famous for her homesteading/dressmaking channels. Animal lover and self-starter. Practical, intelligent, and traditional, though insecure.

Ensemble Roles: Witch/Puppeteer/Chorus

​

THE BEAST (Character pronouns: he/him) 

A self-proclaimed “former hottie” who has been transformed into a monster, the Beast has agreed to go on the Grimms’ reality show in the hopes of ending his curse. Kind, sensitive, romantic - but can he look past appearances? 

Ensemble Roles: Chorus

 

PRINCE CHARMING (Character pronouns: he/him) 

The “perfect man.” Definitely too good to be true. Hunky and sensitive, but hiding a dark secret. A foil to the Beast, and a temptation for Belle. 

Ensemble Roles:  Snipsley (the Beast’s butler/anthropomorphic scissors. Wry, kind, British, classic butler vibes)/Chorus

​

JACOB GRIMM (Character pronouns: any)

Host of Beauty and the Bachelor, a reality/competition show. Big announcer/gameshow host vibes. Focused on the show’s success and protecting the algorithm. Unwilling/unable to go off script. 

Ensemble Roles: Chorus

​

WILHELM GRIMM (Character pronouns: any) 

Jacob’s brother and co-host of Beauty and the Bachelor. Sillier and more romantic than his brother. Easily manipulated, but charmed by Belle and the unexpected twist she brings to the show.

Ensemble Roles: Chorus

SHOW DETAILS AND CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

 

JULIUS CAESAR

By WIlliam Shakespeare
Adapted and DIrected by Drew Douris-O’Hara

 

SHOW DESCRIPTION: 

Against a backdrop of political protest and unrest, the republic trembles as Caesar’s rise sparks fear of tyranny. Friendship and betrayal intertwine as Brutus, torn between love for Caesar and duty to Rome, joins a violent conspiracy that will forever alter history. 

 

Set in its original period, in this production the ensemble will be very active as they move fluidly through various roles, including conspirators, citizens of Rome and silent ghosts which will drive the action of the play.

 

CHARACTER NOTES: 

• Character doubling is subject to (and likely to) change during the casting process. Should you only be interested in half of a “double-track” as listed, please indicate which role you are interested in. 

• Character ages are not listed, as actors are invited to think outside of the traditional casting box for all characters. 

• Character pronouns are only listed where the director has a distinct vision for the gender of that character, and all roles can be played by persons of any/every identity. We encourage actors to submit interest in any roles which they are drawn to. 

• Please note that the roles of Julius Caesar and Octavious Caesar are already cast.

 

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

BRUTUS/Chorus (Character pronouns: he/him)
Brutus: A noble Roman torn between love for Caesar and devotion to the Republic. Guided by honor and idealism, Brutus joins the conspiracy believing assassination will save Rome. Brutus’ internal conflict and tragic misjudgment make him both hero and victim of his own moral struggle.
Content disclosures: Simulated Violence
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

 

CASSIUS/Citizen ensemble/Chorus
Cassius: Shrewd, manipulative, and politically astute, Cassius resents Caesar’s growing power. Cassius fuels Brutus’s doubts and orchestrates the conspiracy with sharp intelligence and persuasive cunning. Though motivated by jealousy, Cassius’ actions ignite the revolution that reshapes Rome’s destiny.
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

 

MARK ANTONY/PORTIA/Chorus
Mark Antony (Character pronouns: he/him): A loyal friend to Caesar, skilled orator, and master of persuasion. Antony’s grief transforms into fiery vengeance, manipulating the crowd to turn against the conspirators. Antony’s passion, rhetoric, and cunning mark them as both avenger and opportunist.
Content Disclosure: Simulated Violence

Portia (Character pronouns: she/her): Brutus’s wife, strong-willed and perceptive. Determined to share her husband’s burdens, she demands to know his secret plans, proving her loyalty through pain and resolve. Her desperation and ultimate fate reflect the personal toll of political conspiracy and silence.
Content Disclosure: Self Harm
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

​

CALPURNIA/LEPIDUS/FLAVIUS/Citizen Ensemble/Soldier/Chorus
Calpurnia (Character pronouns: she/her): Caesar’s devoted wife, haunted by ominous dreams foretelling his death. Sensitive and superstitious, she pleads with Caesar to heed the warnings of fate. Her love and fear reveal the human cost of ambition and the tragic blindness of pride.
Lepidus: A loyal but mild member of the triumvirate, dutiful yet overshadowed
Content disclosures: Simulated Violence
Flavius:  A loyal tribune who condemns the public’s fickleness toward Caesar
Content Disclosure: Simulated Violence
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Soldier: The Anonymous face of war
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

​

DECIUS BRUTUS/MARULLUS/Citizen Ensemble/Soldier/Chorus
Decius Brutus: A persuasive conspirator who manipulates Caesar’s pride to ensure he attends the Senate on the fateful Ides of March. Clever and calculating.
Content Disclosure: Simulated Violence
Marullus:  A loyal tribune who condemns the public’s fickleness toward Caesar
Content Disclosure: Simulated Violence
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Soldier: The Anonymous face of war
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

​

CASCA/CINNA THE POET/Citizen Ensemble/Soldier/Chorus
Casca: A cynical senator and the first to strike Caesar. Casca mocks the masses and views Rome’s politics with bitter irony.
CINNA THE POET: Innocent victim mistaken for a conspirator, brutally killed by citizens
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Soldier: The Anonymous face of war
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

​

CINNA/Citizen Ensemble/Soldier/Chorus
Cinna: A conspirator, driven by practical loyalty to Cassius and Brutus to act without hesitation.
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Soldier: The Anonymous face of war
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene

​

LUCIUS/SOOTHSAYER/Citizen Ensemble/Soldier/Chorus
Lucius: Brutus’s young, loyal servant whose innocence contrasts the surrounding corruption.
Soothsayer: Mysterious prophet who warns Caesar, “Beware the Ides of March.”
Citizen Ensemble: The fickle Roman rabble to be influenced and manipulated
Soldier: The Anonymous face of war
Chorus: A mostly silent, masked ensemble that witness the action and sometimes set the scene