Auditions are NOW OPEN for iambe theatre ensemble's all-female production of LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST by William Shakespeare.
Adapted and directed by Lisa Dawn. This is a non-equity production.
*All ethnicities, abilities, and female-presenting actors are encouraged to audition. Age ranges are merely suggestive and not set in stone.

Synopsis: Shakespeare's most underrated rom-com. Four noble bros take a vow: no women, no distractions, just scholarly study. Cue the arrival of the Princess of France and her fierce lady friends, and the real education begins. Witty wordplay, foolish disguises, and a supporting list of in-lovable oddballs. Rated "S" for Shakespearean shenanigans, swoons, and self-discovery.

WHEN/WHERE:
Rehearsals: beginning Monday, August 18, 2025 (4 days per week) in downtown Elgin.
Tech: Sunday Sept 28-Thursday October 2.
Performance dates: (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm) October 3-19th at Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., in downtown Elgin.

Actors will be paid a $100 stipend

Character breakdown:
"The Bros":
(20s-40s)
King Ferdinand, King of Navarre: noble, passionate, maybe a bit nerdy. A natural leader with a "vision"...and no plan B.
Longaville, friend of the King: blunt, perhaps overconfident, believes he is secure in a bro's world. Would definitely start a "no girls allowed" club.
Dumaine, friend of the King: young, eager, naive, wants to be a "bro". Learning the ropes, but tripping over them.
Berowne, friend of the King: (THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)

The Women:
(20s-40s)
Princess of France, Aquitaine: (THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)
Rosaline, friend to the Princess: (THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)
Katherine, friend to the Princess: An independent woman, most unlikely to fall in love; snarky, quick to battle, a woman's woman. Smiles when she roasts you.
Maria, friend to the Princess: most likely to fall in love but hide it; a hopeless romantic but still batting for the girls. Probably has a secret Pinterest wedding board.

The Players:
Boyet, Lord of the French court: (40-60s) The princess' advisor/hype man; perceptive, loves to banter, and knows everyone's secrets. 10/10 would live-tweet the entire plot if he could.
Costard, the clown: (40-60s) a comical scoundrel, uneducated, who finds many delights daily and does not take the oath of study, or anything really, even a bit seriously. (Maybe even a bit Benny Hill-ish)
Jaquenetta: (30-50s; potential singing role) the flirtatious wildcard who accidentally kicks off half the drama. Comfortable with who she is, faults and all; living her best life. Weak spot only for Armado. *Note: This role has been expanded in this adaptation.
Anthony Dull: (40-70s; potential singing role) Serves as Constable with a well-earned last name. Dry, deadpan humor. Keeps leaving the group chat but is still getting notifications. *Note: This role has been expanded in this adaptation.
Don Adriano de Armado (THIS ROLE HAS BEEN CAST)
Moth: (teen-20s; singing role, might play an instrument): Armado's clever page; though "little," Moth is a sharp-tongued, musically inclined pot-stirrer. Smarter than everyone, keeps receipts.
Holofernes: (50-70s; potentially a singing role) scholar and self-proclaimed philosopher; speaks in high-tongued phrases and toots his own highly embellished horn. Thank you for coming to his TED talk.
Sir Nathaniel: (50-70s; potentially a singing role) the local vicor, a friend and, more appropriately, fanboy of Holofernes. Though kind, believes an educated person is better than others. Absolutely terrified of women. The only person at Holofernes' TED talk.