Firebird Theatre is proud to present our fourth annual Shakespeare in the Park production this August: Much Ado About Nothing! Co-directed by Tristan Buss and Jimmy Utley, Shakespeare’s ultimate romantic comedy follows two pairs of lovers as they grapple with wit, gossip, and deceptions – both in jest and ill-intentioned – while vacationing on an estate in Messina.
Performances for this show will take place on both ends of the valley. Shows on the first weekend (August 22nd & 23rd) will take place at our traditional location of the Crested Butte Railroad Depot while the second weekend (August 29th & 30th) will be at the Quigley Bandshell on the Western Colorado University campus. Keep in mind that this will be an outdoor show, so be sure to bring raingear, chairs, and/or blankets with you! More information to follow!
Much Ado: In-Person Auditions
Firebird Theatre is holding in-person auditions for our 2026 Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing on Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th. In-person auditions will be held between 3pm and 5pm, with locations on the 18th at the courtyard outside the Crested Butte Town Hall (507 Maroon Ave.) and the 19th in Community Room E at the Gunnison Public Library (1 Quartz St.) respectively. Cold reading selections of monologues from the play will be provided, so no memorization work will be required for auditions! Please come to auditions with your weekly availability and any potential conflicts from now until the end of August to provide to the casting team. All actors will need to be available for the following dates to be considered: August 22-23 & 29-30. We hope to see you there!
Much Ado: Online Auditions
For Firebird Theatre’s summer Shakespeare production of Much Ado About Nothing, in addition to the above in-person audition sessions, rolling video auditions will also be accepted throughout the month of April. Cold reading selections of monologues from the play are provided via the button below, so no memorization work will be required for auditions! For rolling video auditions, please choose two audition selections to perform. You can submit video audition recordings via email to firebirdtroupe@gmail.com. Please include weekly availability and any potential conflicts between early May and the end of August in your email for online submissions. All actors will need to be available for the following dates to be considered: August 22-23 & 29-30. We look forward to your submissions!
Character Descriptions
BENEDICK: A lord and soldier from Padua. Companion of Don Pedro, friend to Claudio. Tricked into admitting his love for Beatrice by his friends.
BEATRICE: Niece of Leonato, cousin of Hero. Tricked into admitting her love for Benedick by her cousin’s gentlewomen.
CLAUDIO: A count from Florence. Companion of Don Pedro, friend to Benedick. In love with Hero. Tricked by John into believing that Hero is unfaithful.
HERO: Daughter of Leonato, cousin of Beatrice. In love with Claudio. Framed by John for infidelity in a plot to embarrass Claudio and Pedro.
LEONATO: Governor of Messina. Hero’s father.
DON PEDRO: Prince of Aragon. Tricked by John into believing that Hero is unfaithful.
DON JOHN: “The Bastard Prince.” Brother of Don Pedro. Frames Hero for infidelity as a scheme against his brother and Claudio.
ANTONIO: Brother of Leonato.
MARGARET: Waiting-gentlewoman attendant on Hero. Unknowingly used as part of John’s scheme to frame Hero.
URSULA: Waiting-gentlewoman attendant on Hero. Helps trick Beatrice into admitting her love for Benedick.
BALTHASAR: Attendant on Don Pedro. A singer.
BORACHIO: Follower of Don John. Used as part of John’s scheme to frame Hero.
CONRADE: Follower of Don John.
DOGBERRY: The constable in charge of Messina’s night watch. With the help of the Watch, he stumbles on evidence proving John’s lie false.
VERGES: Dogberry’s partner in the Watch.
FRIAR FRANCIS: A priest in Messina. Hatches a plan to fake Hero’s death to help prove her innocence.
SEACOAL: Watchman of Messina.
OATCAKE: Watchman of Messina.
SEXTON: A trial judge.
A Firebird Theatre Co. Production
Price
Free!
Age Range
Ages 12 and up
Dates
August 22-23, 29-30
5:30pm Doors, 6:00pm Show
Locations
The Crested Butte Depot
716 Elk Ave.
Crested Butte, CO 81224
Quigley Bandshell – WCU
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
Nearest parking lots: the Depot (limited space) and the lot on Elk and 6th.
Green arrows indicate routes from closest parking lots.