The 2026-2027 UIS Theatre Season Continues
Up Next:
THE TEMPEST in Spring 2027
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare
Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell
Director: Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson
April 2-4 and 8-10, 2027 in the Studio Theatre (Level 1, Performing Arts Center, on the UIS Campus)
Audition Schedule
There will be backstage and on-stage opportunities for UIS Students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members.
| Open Auditions | THE TEMPEST |
|---|---|
| Audition Date and Time | January 12 and 13 at 7:00pm |
| Audition Location | Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA) 170, on the UIS Campus |
| Audition Callbacks | January 14 at 7:00pm in the Studio Theatre (Level 1, Performing Arts Center, on the UIS Campus) |
| Crew Open Interviews | January 12 and 13 at 6:00pm in the Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA) 170, on the UIS Campus |
For an electronic copy of the audition form or crew interview form, please contact either the Director of this production, Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson (mthom1@uis.edu) or Scenic Designer/Technical Director, Dathan Powell (dpowe5@uis.edu). Please Note: Audition application forms and Crew interview forms will also be available at the Crew Interviews and Auditions.
A limited number of scripts WILL SOON be available at the Brookens Library front desk (on the UIS campus) for 24 hour reserve checkout, for our spring ‘27 production.
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. There is nothing to prepare.
One minute Classical/Shakespeare monologues are appreciated, but not required. Headshots/Resumes are also appreciated, but are also not required.
NOTE: Auditions will be held in the Visual and Performing Arts Building (VPA) 170. Callbacks for Actors will be held in the STUDIO THEATRE (Level 1, Performing Arts Center, on the UIS Campus). Performances of THE TEMPEST will also be held in the STUDIO THEATRE (Level 1, Performing Arts Center, on the UIS Campus).
About the Play
Approximately: 10 roles for men, 4 roles for women, and 5 roles open to all genders
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
PLOT SUMMARY
A ship carrying Alonso King of Naples, his son Ferdinand, Antonio, and other nobles, is wrecked in a storm created by the spirit Ariel, under the magic art of Prospero. Prospero’s daughter Miranda, afraid for the voyagers, is told they are safe. He explains to her that he is the rightful Duke of Milan, usurped by Antonio, and that they had arrived on their island many years before after being sent out to sea by some of those whom he now has in his power.
As Miranda sleeps, Ariel reports that the lords are on the island as he had commanded, with Ferdinand separated from the others. Caliban, a savage inhabitant of the island who is also controlled by Prospero, expresses his hostility to Prospero, but is forced to do his bidding. Prospero gets Ariel to lead Ferdinand across the island so that he meets Miranda, and they fall in love. To test his worth, Prospero makes Ferdinand carry out menial tasks.
Alonso and the lords begin their search for Ferdinand, though they fear him drowned. Antonio persuades Alonso’s brother Sebastian to kill the king and claim his throne, but Ariel intervenes and stops them. Caliban encounters Alonso’s jester Trinculo and butler Stephano, whom he decides to serve with the aim of persuading them to kill Prospero. They get drunk, and Prospero sends Ariel to confuse and play tricks on them.
A magical banquet is placed before the lords. As they prepare to eat, Alonso, Sebastian, and Antonio are fiercely reprimanded for their past deeds by Ariel. Alonso runs off, followed by the others. Prospero brings Iris, Juno, and Ceres into a ceremony celebrating Ferdinand and Miranda’s betrothal. He has Ariel and other spirits chase Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo away through the marshes, to foil their plot against him. He then vows to give up his magical powers once he has achieved his ends, and to free Ariel, who has been begging for liberty.
Ariel leads the lords to Prospero, and they stand in a trance before him. He rouses them, and they beg forgiveness, which Prospero grants, and Prospero is restored to his dukedom. Ferdinand and Miranda are revealed to them. Ariel leads in the sailors from their ship, and then Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano. Caliban regrets his service to Stephano and Trinculo, and promises to behave. Prospero sets Ariel free, and finally asks the audience for his own release, through their applause. --Taken from Play Shakespeare online
Work Behind the Scenes
Those interested in working backstage (stage managers, props crew, sound research, costumes, dresser, running crew) only need to attend one night of the crew interviews. Be sure to fill out a crew application form prior to the crew interviews start time via the online form or in person at the crew interviews and indicate the area of interest backstage. The technical director will schedule time to meet with you to discuss your area of interest.
Actors
Please fill out an audition form via the online form prior to arriving at the audition start time OR first thing when you arrive to audition. Auditions will consist of “cold readings” from the script. Be prepared to make some bold choices, take some risks and have fun! Prepared monologues and headshots/resumes are appreciated, but are NOT required.
UIS Theatre invites all theatre artists to audition for roles or apply for backstage work for one of our upcoming productions. Currently enrolled UIS students are given primary consideration in casting roles and backstage assignments, as well as in determining each production. UIS Theatre strives to have our productions reflect the diversity of our world. As such, actors of all races, ethnicities, gender identifications and abilities are welcome and encouraged to audition for all of our productions.