SHakespeare's Much Ado ABout Nothing:July 2026

Benedick

A witty young Lord of Padua and a soldier. He is fanatically committed to a bachelor’s life. He has a “merry war,” of wits and insults with Beatrice. Claudio, Hero, Don Pedro and Leonato hatch a plan to make the two fall in love.

Beatrice

Leonato’s niece, an extremely witty and strong-willed young woman. Like Benedick, Beatrice never wants to marry. Claudio, Hero, Don Pedro and Leonato hatch a plan to make the two fall in love.

Hero

Leonato’s daughter, Beatrice’s cousin, and the beloved of Claudio. On the night before her wedding, Hero is unknowingly impersonated by Margaret and framed for being unfaithful to the groom, Claudio. She is publicly shamed at her wedding, and her father Leonato hides her away, pretending she is dead until the slander has been discredited. Hero is one of the characters who participates in the scheme to bring Benedick and Beatrice together.

Claudio

A young Florentine soldier who fights for Don Pedro, and a friend of Benedick. He falls in love with Hero and plans to marry her, but disgraces her publicly after he is tricked by Don John and Borachio into thinking she has been unfaithful. By the end of the play, after her faithfulness has been proven, he marries her. Claudio is one of the characters who participates in the scheme to bring Benedick and Beatrice together.

Don Pedro

The Prince of Aragon. He is always involved in the affairs of the other characters. Don Pedro woos Hero for Claudio. He also comes up with the idea of setting up Beatrice and Benedick. He stands by Claudio’s disgrace of Hero at the wedding, and then helps him make up for it. 

Don John

The brother of Don Pedro, and the antagonist of the play. When the play begins, Don John has just been defeated by his brother in battle while trying to usurp him. Out of desire for revenge and a general bad attitude, Don John schemes to destroy the marriage of Hero and Claudio. 

Leonato

Governor of Messina and father to Hero. When Hero is publicly disgraced at her wedding, Leonato is outraged, and cannot decide whether or not to believe in his daughter’s faithfulness to Claudio. Leonato participates in Don Pedro’s scheme to bring Benedick and Beatrice together.

Balthazar

A musician and loyal attendant to Leonato. He performs at every party, and comforts Leonato when he needs it. 

Borachio

A minion of Don John’s, and often drunk. He is paid for coming up with and carrying out the scheme to ruin Hero and Claudio’s marriage. 

Conrade

Don John’s right-hand man. He stands by Don John’s side no matter what, while doing his best to tolerate Borachio.

Dogberry

A constable of Messina. He comedically misuses language, doing his best to sound smart and in control.

Verges

Dogberry’s assistant. He is often misused by Dogberry, but never dwindles in his enthusiasm.

Fr. Francis

He conducts the two weddings. When Hero is disgraced, he is the first one to suspect that she might be innocent. It is his idea to pretend that Hero is dead while the matter is investigated.

Margaret

Hero’s witty and flirtatious waiting-gentlewoman.Learn more about our history and how we got started. We are passionate about empowering communities and making a difference in people's lives.

To reserve a General Audition Slot on Tuesday, March 24 please go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054AABAE2FA57-62377269-much#/

Please come prepared with a 1-2 minute long monologue from a Shakespeare play that's from any show besides "Much Ado."

If you are not available for an in-person audition that evening, please submit a 1-2 minute Shakespeare monologue in a video to info@agapetheatercompany.com

Call Backs are by invitation only on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:00 - 9:00

Beginning in April, Leads will rehearse on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights from 6:00 - 9:00 at the St. Roch's School Cafeteria. 

Non-Lead performers will rehearse on Monday and Wednesday nights

Performances are in July, and we'll be sharing specific dates and our exciting information soon.

Josh Lehman is an electrical engineer who works in cyber security. He played Hans Scholl in our production of "Why we Must Die So Young" last March. Josh graduated from the University of Notre Dame last May, and while he was a student there he performed with the Not-So-Royal Shakespeare Company and directed a Roaring 20s-inspired Richard III in 2024.