Auditions for Kids and Canines for Shakespeare Festival

Iowa City - Riverside Theatre will hold auditions for both kids and canines on Saturday, April 16 at the Riverside Festival Stage in Lower City Park.

This year’s Shakespeare Festival acting company will include one child to play the role of Tommy Miller, 10-12 years old, in Ah, Wilderness! as well as a dog named Crab in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Canine candidates for the role of Crab the dog will be seen beginning at 11:30 a.m. Dogs must be mature, calm, easy to handle, and not agitated by large and enthusiastic audiences. The dog must be available for select rehearsals in June, plus all performances: June 17-19, 29-30, July 2, 5, 8, 10.

Auditions for the child’s role – both boys and girls will be considered – will begin at 1 p.m. Those auditioning should prepare a brief poem or prose piece that they will be asked to read in their best outside voice; they may also be asked to read from the script. Performance experience is preferred, but not required; a strong voice is essential. The child must be available for select rehearsals beginning in mid-May, plus all performances June 24-26, 28, July 1, 3, 6-7, 9.

To sign up for an audition call the Riverside Theatre Box Office at 319-338-7677. Those with questions about the auditions should contact Riverside Theatre Artistic Director Jody Hovland at 319-887-1360 or artistic@riversidetheatre.org.