The Merry Wives of Windsor Schedule

Rehearsals begin July 28, Monday – Friday, from 1:30pm to 4:00pm (4th Story Theater, West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Ave) and 5:30pm – 10:00pm (the Yard at oneC1TY, 8 City Blvd) and Saturdays from 5:00pm - 10:00pm at oneC1TY. 

Performances are oneC1TY: Thursdays – Sundays + Labor Day Monday, August 21 – September 21.

Summer Conservatory Training starts July 7 on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, 5:00pm – 10:00pm and July 26, 5:00pm – 10:00pm for the showcase (Vanderbilt’s Neely Auditorium). 

The Merry Wives of Windsor Cast Breakdown

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival welcomes actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and backgrounds to audition. NSF is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative artistic environment that reflects the diversity of our community.

As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival does not provide housing.

EQUITY/NON-EQUITY ROLES:

Sir John Falstaff (Male presenting, 50s-60s) A knight but also a scoundrel. Boisterous, jaunty, and mischievous. Thinks he can get away with seducing married women in order to get their husbands’ money.

Mistress Alice Ford (Female presenting, 40s-50s) Married to Mr. Ford and friend to Mistress Page. Smart, strong, and loyal. Frustrated by her husband’s jealousy, she executes a plan to both outwit Falstaff and teach her husband a lesson.

Mr. Francis Ford (Male presenting, 40s-50s) Married to Mistress Ford. Allows jealousy to overrule his senses and drive him to wild plots to catch his wife in the act.

Mistress Margaret Page (Female presenting, 30s-40s) Married to Mr. Page and mother of Anne Page. Close friend to Mistress Ford. Cleverly hatches the plan to overthrow Falstaff. Wants Anne to marry Dr. Caius.

Mr. George Page (Male presenting, 30s-40s) Married to Mistress Page and father to Anne Page. Close friend to Mr. Ford. Easy-going. Does not fall prey to jealousy like Ford. Wants Anne to marry Slender. 

Mistress Quickly (Female presenting, 30s-50s) Dr. Caius’s servant and messenger to everyone. Full of life and mischief. Loves payment for her service. Willing to help Fenton secure Anne Page. 

Sir Hugh Evans (Male presenting, 30s-50s) Welsh clergyman who accidentally almost swordfights Dr. Caius. Ridiculous accent and often says things wrong.

Host (Female presenting, 30s-50s) Host of the Garter Inn. A bit cheeky.

Robert Shallow (Male presenting, 40s-50s) A country magistrate with strong opinions and misplaced authority. He urges Slender to court Anne Page, even attempting some of the wooing for him. Hot-headed and foolish.

SUMMER CONSERVATORY ROLES:

Abraham Slender (Male presenting, teens-early 20s) A clueless suitor to Anne Page who completely lacks interest in her beyond her wealth. Tries to be more important than he is.

Anne Page/John Rugby (Female presenting, teens-early 20s) Daughter to Mr. Page and Mistress Page. In love with Fenton but must contrive how to marry him as he is not her parents’ choice. Smart, self-aware. Doubles as servant John Rugby.

Fenton (Male presenting, teens-early 20s) Suitor to Anne Page. Not approved by Mr. Page as he thinks Fenton wants to marry Anne for financial reasons. Truly loves Anne.

Doctor Caius (Male presenting, teens-early 20s) Suitor to Anne Page. Local doctor who is French. Loses his temper regularly. Is often teased for his accent.

Nym/John/Fairy (Male presenting, teens-early 20s) One of Falstaff’s men who dislikes being treated as a messenger. Gets back at Falstaff by telling the husbands of Falstaff’s plot. Also doubles as a servant and fairy. 

Pistol/Robert/Fairy (Male presenting, teens-early 20s) One of Falstaff’s men who dislikes being treated as a messenger. Gets back at Falstaff by telling the husbands of Falstaff’s plot. Also doubles as a servant and fairy. 

Simple/Fairy (Female presenting, teens-early 20s) Slender’s slow and simple servant. Also doubles as a fairy.

For in-person auditions: Auditions will be videotaped. For Equity auditions, please click this link to sign up for an audition date and time. For Non-Equity auditions, please click this link to sign up for an audition date and time. Please complete the Audition Form here. Prepare one comedic Shakespeare monologue no longer than 3 minutes. At the audition, please state your name and availability of local housing.

For video auditions:  IN THE SLATE, PLEASE STATE:

1. NAME
2. HOMEBASE/TAPING LOCATION (I live in ____, and I'm taping from _____)
3. AVAILABILITY FOR FULL CONTRACT DATES 
4. LOCAL HOUSING
5. INTEREST IN SUMMER CONSERVATORY (Yes or No)

Tape one comedic Shakespeare monologue horizontally on a phone with a clear background.
No graphics or fades.
Shoot in a medium shot (waist up, no space above the head).
Slate first, then audition in one file.
Submit one file LABELED: FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME_MWW
Upload to YouTube and send us the link at auditions@nashvilleshakes.org