Auditions: The Comedy of Errors

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Book by  William Shakespeare

Director: Sean Naughton

Duluth Playhouse is committed to inclusive, color-conscious casting. Actors of all ethnicities, gender identities, and abilities are highly encouraged to audition. 

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION

Auditions will be held in person at the NorShor Theatre Rehearsal Studios located at 211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802. Please enter through the “Lights on Duluth” door located next to the Box Office.

AUDITION DETAILS  

• Auditions will be held December 13, 2025. 
  
  • Adult Actors (18 and above) - Auditions begin at 11 AM - Actors must click HERE to sign up for a 5 minute audition time slot. This timeframe will be expanded if all available slots fill up.‍
  • Adult Actors must fill out the audition form HERE‍
  • Adult Actors - Prepare 10 - 20 lines of text from one of Shakespeare's plays. Comedic or dramatic is fine. Whatever you feel best features your ability with heightened text. 

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

• Headshot: or an up-to-date picture of yourself
• Resume: listing recent performance credits

VIDEO SUBMISSION 

• If you cannot attend auditions, please send in a video submission to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org no later than December 8th. 
• Video submissions must include: 
  
  • Video Audition: Prepare 10 - 20 lines of text from one of Shakespeare's plays. Comedic or dramatic is fine. Whatever you feel best features your ability with heightened text. 
  • Headshot and Resume: Please email a resume and picture of yourself. 
  • Adult Audition Form: Please fill out the audition HERE

• Some examples of how to share video submissions: 
  
  • Upload your video to Google Drive or Dropbox. Create a shareable link, copy and paste it to your email message. 
  • Create a YouTube video with a viewable link 
  • There are other ways to also share videos, these are just some examples 

CALLBACK DETAILS  

• Callbacks will be held on January 10 starting at 3 pm. Actors who are called back will receive an email sometime after auditions on December 13th.
• Callbacks will consist of reading sides from the script.

ABOUT THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

A farce by William Shakespeare about two sets of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth and unknowingly ended up in the same city, leading to a series of escalating misunderstandings and a final family reunion.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN- THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

A fast-paced Shakespearean farce of mistaken identity, family reunions, and escalating hilarity.

Note: All roles are open to performers of any race, gender identity, or background. Ages listed are playing age and flexible unless otherwise noted. We encourage actors to approach these characters with bold choices, strong physicality, and a sense of fun.

Egeon-  40s - 50s+

A merchant of Syracuse and father to Antipholus of Syracuse and his lost twin. Arrested upon arrival in Ephesus, he tells the backstory of the shipwreck that separated his family. Heartfelt and dignified; his story sets the emotional stakes of the play.

Antipholus of Syracuse- 20s–30s

A young man searching for his lost twin and mother. Intelligent, emotional, and increasingly confused by the strange events in Ephesus. Plays the “straight man” in many comedic scenarios.

Antipholus of Ephesus- 20s–30s

The twin brother of Antipholus of Syracuse, raised in Ephesus. A respected merchant, husband to Adriana, and increasingly enraged by the confusion around him. Volatile, proud, and comedic in his frustration.

Dromio of Syracuse- 20s–30s

Servant to Antipholus of Syracuse and twin to Dromio of Ephesus. Witty, fast-talking, and often the butt of jokes (both physical and verbal). A vaudevillian clown at heart.

Dromio of Ephesus- 20s–30s

Servant to Antipholus of Ephesus. Comic foil with impeccable timing. Loyal, clever, and always scrambling to make sense of the chaos. Great opportunities for physical comedy.

Adriana- 20s–30s

Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus. Passionate, intelligent, and assertive. She suspects her husband of infidelity and grows increasingly confused by his erratic behavior. A grounded character in a chaotic world.

Luciana- 20s–30s

Adriana’s sister. More idealistic and romantic. She finds herself caught between duty and desire when Antipholus of Syracuse (whom she believes to be her brother-in-law) declares his love for her.

Duke Solinus- 30s - 40s+ 

Ruler of Ephesus. Stern but fair. He passes judgment on Egeon and ultimately helps resolve the play’s central conflict. A figure of authority with a compassionate side.

Aegeon’s Wife / Abbess (Emilia) 40s - 50s+ 

Now the Abbess of a local priory, she is unknowingly reunited with her long-lost family by play’s end. Wise, spiritual, and commanding. A surprising but powerful presence in the final scene.

Supporting / Featured Roles (can be doubled or expanded):

• Balthazar – A merchant and friend of Antipholus of Ephesus.
• Angelo – A goldsmith who makes a chain for Antipholus of Ephesus.
• Pinch – A conjuring schoolmaster (comedic cameo role).
• Courtesan – A bold and humorous woman owed money by Antipholus of Ephesus.
• Second Merchant – Tries to collect a debt from Antipholus of Syracuse.
• Jailer / Officers / Servants / Attendants – Can be played by ensemble members.

REHEARSAL INFORMATION

Rehearsal Dates & Times:

April 20, 2026 - May 17, 2026

Rehearsals are currently scheduled

Mon-Fri from 6 pm– 10 pm. 

Final schedule and times may vary.

Tech Rehearsals:
May 18, 2026 - May 28, 2026

Tech Rehearsals are currently scheduled

Mon-Fri from 6:00 pm–10:00 pm (except for May 21 & 22, which will be 6pm-11pm)

Final schedule and times may vary.

Where: 

NorShor Theatre and Rehearsal Studios

211 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802

The Comedy of Errors - Performance Schedule

May 27 at 7:30 p.m. Community Preview

May 28 at 7:30 p.m. Sponsor Night

May 29 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night

May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

May 31 at 2 p.m.

June 3 at 7:30 p.m. (Potential additional performance)

June 4 at 7:30 p.m.

June 5 at 7:30 p.m.

June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

June 7 at 2 p.m.

Questions?

Additional questions should be directed to auditions@duluthplayhouse.org