September begins our 28th Season.
73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms, California 92277, United States
For inquiries about acting roles, theatre positions, or theatre production, please call 760-361-4151.
JOSHUA TREE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND THEATRE 29
ANNOUNCE AUDITIONS ROMEO & JULIET: A MOJAVE REIMAGING
Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company (JTSC), in partnership with Theatre 29, will hold auditions for its fall production, Romeo & Juliet: A Mojave Reimagining, a visually inventive new staging of Shakespeare’s timeless play set in the modern Mojave Desert.
The production marks a co-production between JTSC and Theatre 29, the Morongo Basin’s longest-running community theater. By combining Theatre 29’s deep roots in local performing arts with JTSC’s mission to make Shakespeare engaging and accessible, the collaboration brings together two organizations committed to creating ambitious, welcoming theater for Hi-Desert audiences and performers.
The production preserves Shakespeare’s original language while presenting the story through a fresh visual and interpretive lens. In this reimagining, Romeo and Juliet are former high school sweethearts who reconnect decades later. Now in middle age, they are given an unexpected second chance to rediscover one another and find themselves falling in love for the first time...again.
Auditions will be held Thursday, August 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Theatre 29 in Twentynine Palms.
All roles are open. The production is seeking performers aged 16 and up, of all genders, for speaking and non-speaking roles. Musical ability and stage combat experience are welcome but are not required.
Most importantly, no previous Shakespeare experience is necessary.
“We are not changing Shakespeare’s words,” said Director Liz Wessel. “We are changing the lens through which audiences experience them. By presenting Romeo and Juliet as two people reconnecting later in life, we hope audiences will hear this familiar play in an entirely new way. The text remains Shakespeare’s, but the perspective allows us to explore first love, second chances and the courage it takes to open your heart again.”
Wessel added, “We are looking for curious, creative people who want to collaborate, learn and have fun. Whether someone has performed Shakespeare for years or has never stepped onto a stage before, we want them to feel welcome.”
Prospective cast members do not need to prepare a monologue. Auditions will consist of reading scenes together and exploring the material in a relaxed, supportive environment. Those with headshots and résumés are encouraged to bring them, but neither is required.
JTSC is committed to demystifying Shakespeare and making his work accessible, relatable and fun. The company will make itself available outside regular rehearsal hours to assist cast members who would like additional help learning lines or understanding Shakespeare’s language.
Callbacks or a table read, if needed, are tentatively scheduled for the evening of Monday, August 10.
Regular rehearsals will begin on August 17 and continue through September 23, primarily on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. A limited number of additional rehearsals may be scheduled in late September as needed. All cast and crew members must be available for tech week beginning October 5.
Performances are scheduled for October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2026.
In addition to performers, the production is seeking backstage volunteers and technical crew. Opportunities are available for those interested in set construction, scenic painting, lighting, sound and other areas of theatrical production. Previous experience is appreciated but is not required.
Those wishing to audition, or members of the media seeking additional information, should contact:
Brian Hennessy
Creative Director
Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company brianhennessy@joshuatreeshakespeare.org
For decades, Theatre 29 has provided a home for community theater in the Morongo Basin, welcoming generations of local performers, volunteers and audiences. Its partnership with the newly formed Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company brings that history and community experience together with JTSC’s focus on presenting Shakespeare through bold, approachable and contemporary theatrical storytelling.
Romeo & Juliet: A Mojave Reimagining continues the shared mission of both organizations: to create memorable local theater, invite new participants into the performing arts and demonstrate how Shakespeare’s original words can reveal new meaning when presented from an unexpected perspective.
Audition Information
Production: Romeo & Juliet: A Mojave Reimagining
Presented by: Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company and Theatre 29
Tagline: Falling in love for the first time...again.
Audition date: Thursday, August 6
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: Theatre 29, Twentynine Palms
Who: Ages 16 and up; all genders and experience levels welcome
Roles: All speaking and non-speaking roles are open
Preparation: No monologue required; scenes will be provided
Contact: Brian Hennessy, Creative Director, Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company
ADVISORY
We have discovered that there third party ticketing sites that are claiming seats to Theatre 29 shows at highly inflated prices. These are NOT legitimate tickets to Theatre 29 shows. We ONLY sell tickets for our productions through this website. No other purported sales avenues are valid, please do not fall for these scammers.
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