Posted by Act VI Productions
Act VI Productions is seeking non-Equity performers for its summer 2025 production of Romeo and Juliet.
“Two houses, both alike in the eyes of the Christian Missionaries and Colonial Powers who control fair Verona.”
Directed by Nicholas Koy Santillo, this production will be staged exclusively outdoors, in public spaces. It will adjust to the realities of outdoor performance — no amplification, lighting, special effects or proscenium arch. An homage to the raucous, interactive origins of live performance, audiences will come and go as they please, and watch from any side.
Five actors will enter the space and they will not leave until the show has finished.
About the Director: Nicholas Koy Santillo constantly strives to invigorate the arts in culture and connect cultures through art. A graduate of Concordia University’s Theatre Performance BFA, and LAMDA’s Classical Acting MA programs, he has performed in over 50 stage productions across the USA, UK, Canada and China. Koy has also trained at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, and apprenticed under Fight Directors and Masters at Fight Directors Canada (FDC). During the pandemic, Koy explored storytelling off-stage, producing a number of projects in collaboration with Mohammad Yaghoubi (Nowadays Theatre) meant to be viewed in Virtual Reality. He also wrote and directed his first short film, An Actor Prepares, which was awarded Best Drama and Best Short Script at the 2024 Canadian Independent Film Festival.
Rehearsal Process: Rehearsals will run approximately 4 hours per week online October through April, with occasional in-person workshops. These workshops will provide the cast free training with experts in various specialized fields. A five-day rehearsal intensive will be held in May.
CASTING BREAKDOWN:
Actor 1 – Young Lover / Montague
Any gender. Any ethnicity. Primary role: Romeo
Fast-witted and passionate; driven by their emotions and experiences. Being alone is worse than death, so friendship and family are paramount. This role will be physically demanding; dance and/or stage combat skills are ideal.
Actor 2 – Young Lover / Capulet
Any gender. Any ethnicity. Primary role: Juliet
Focused and political; activated by their heart. They respect the rules, which means breaking them must be worth it. This role will be physically demanding; dance and/or stage combat skills are ideal.
Actor 3 – Trusted Elder
Any gender. Any ethnicity. Primary roles: Lady Capulet, Montague, Benvolio
This actor will embody the elders who remember their heritage and prioritize relationships — and peace — over status and power. Dance and/or stage combat skills are ideal.
Actor 4 – Secular Elite
Any gender. Any ethnicity. Primary roles: Capulet, Mercutio, Paris, the Prince
This actor will embody those who gain power and authority from, or are driven by, money. These characters are defined by their relationship to secular power. This track will include colonizer/settler characters. Dance and/or stage combat skills are ideal.
Actor 5 – Ecclesiastic Servant
Any gender. Any ethnicity. Primary roles: Nurse, Friar Lawrence, the Prince
This actor will embody those with status and legitimacy extending from their relationship to the church and the divine. This track will include colonizer/settler characters.
Auditions will be held outdoors in-person on October 6th, location to be announced.
Rehearsals will be held both virtually and in-person, indoors and out. Performances will take place outdoors, throughout downtown Toronto in June 2025.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
To request an audition, please email shakespeare@actvi.ca and include the following:
- Resume and headshot as one combined PDF
- Pronouns and performance age range
- Preferred role(s)
- Spoken languages
- Movement experience
- Musical experience / instruments played
- Availability on October 6th
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, September 30th
Performers will be asked to prepare a Shakespearean monologue (2-5 minutes) related to the performance track they are submitting for.
Act VI thanks all performers for their submissions, but only those selected for an audition will be contacted.
Act VI welcomes voices from diverse communities, and encourages submissions from equity-seeking groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Women, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Seniors, and intersections of those identities and beyond.
Act VI is a not-for-profit organization, and performing in this production is a non-Equity, non-paying volunteer opportunity.