We are looking for a cast of about 16 people, in which some characters will play two roles/identities. Each will play character at the palace and in the Forest of Arden character.
– Norene Morrow, director
Please read a plot summary or watch online/read it if you are unfamiliar with the play.
Ages relate more to appearance on stage and are approximate.
Casting for roles may or may not follow traditional gender expectations.
- Orlando Deboys – 20s to mid-30
- Main character: Orlando has been cheated out of his inheritance by his older brother, Oliver and flees to for his life the Forest Arden. This courageous, passionate man loves Rosalind, but is very bad at writing poetry.
- Oliver Deboys -, 25-40
- Supporting character: Having an irrational hatred toward his younger brother, Oliver unsuccessfully plots to have Orlando severely injured or killed in a wrestling match. This hatred disappears when Orlando saves his life in the forest. He also falls in love instantly when he meets Aliena (aka Celia).
- Adam – older, 50+
- Supporting character: Orlando’s faithful servant who accompanies him into the Forest of Arden. This character may also be double as Martext, a country curate who arrives to marry Touchstone and Audrey.
- Rosalind/Ganymede – 20s to mid -30s
- Main character: Daughter of the banished Duke Senior, niece to the ruthless Duke Frederick, and cousin to Celia. Upon being banished by her uncle and in fear of her life, she escapes to the Forest of Arden with Celia. Posing as a young man named Ganymede she falls in love with Orlando.
- Celia/Aliena – 20s to mid -30s
- Main character: Daughter of the ruthless Duke Frederick and cousin to Rosalinda. Risking her own safety, she runs away to the Forest of Arden with her cousin, Rosalind, taking on the disguise of a peasant girl named Aliena. She is a romantic and instantly falls in love with Oliver at first sight.
- Touchstone – no specific age
- Main character: A court fool who is actually quite wise. Touchstone accompanies Rosalind and Celia into the Forest of Arden and falls in love with Audrey, a rather bawdy, uneducated goatherd.
- Duke Frederick/Duke Senior – old enough to be parents of Celia and Rosalind
- Main character: Duke Frederick is Celia’s father and a ruthless usurper of his brother’s throne. Duke Senior is Rosalind’s father and Duke Frederick’s older brother who has been banished. He lives in the Forest of Arden with his loyal followers and is kind and generous.
- LeBeau/Amiens – no specific age
- Supporting character: LeBeau is Duke Frederick’s advisor who delivers messages to Celia and Rosalind. Amiens is one of Duke Senior’s faithful followers in the Forest of Arden who enjoys singing.
- Jacques (pronounced Jay-queez) – middle-aged or older, but not necessarily
- Main character: A faithful lord to Duke Senior who has an exaggerated melancholy disposition and a cynical observer of the world, but who is inspired by Touchstone to become a fool. Jacques delivers the famous speech, “All the World’s a Stage”.
- Charles/ Arden Lord 1 – 20-50ish
- Supporting character: Charles is a court wrestler who tries to convince Oliver to prevent Orlando from fighting him. Arden Lord 1 is one of Duke Senior’s faithful followers.
- Corin – middle-aged to older
- Supporting character: Corin is a shepherd who counsels his friend, Silvius, on matters of love. He also hangs out with Touchstone, having silly philosophical discussions.
- Silvius – 20 to 30ish
- Supporting character: Silvius is a shepherd who has a slavish devotion to Phoebe. However, his love is one-sided in the beginning. (This actor will also play an ensemble member at the court wrestling match.)
- Phoebe – 20 to 30ish
- Supporting Character: Phoebe is a not-too-bright shepherdess. She scorns Silvius and falls in love with Ganymede (aka Rosalind) at first sight. (This actor will also play an ensemble member at the court wrestling match.)
- Audrey – no specific age
- Supporting character: Touchstone’s love interest who is a goatherd – She is not poetic, nor is she very intelligent. (This actor will also play an ensemble member at the court wrestling match.)
- Court Lord 2/Arden Lord 2/William – 25ish, but not necessarily
- Featured characters: Court Lord 2 is one of Duke Frederick’s courtier’s. Arden Lord 2 is one of Duke Senior’s loyal followers. William is Touchstone’s rival for Audrey’s love.
- Dennis/ Jacques DeBoys – older than Orlando but younger than Oliver
- Featured characters: Dennis is Oliver’s servant. (This actor will also play an ensemble member at the court wrestling match.) Jacques DeBoys is Orlando and Oliver’s brother who appears to attend the weddings at the end of the play to deliver news of Duke Frederick.