Virginia Stage Company follows Actor's Equity policy regarding casting for both Equity and non-Equity contracts with regards to diversity: Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to submit.
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Virginia Stage Company Presents

Emma

By Kate Hamill

based on the novel by Jane Austen

Directed by Tom Quaintance

Local Norfolk,VA Auditions (in person, by appointment only)

With VSC Resident Casting Director, Emel Ertugrul

Director, Tom Quaintance

Thursday, July 31 6:00p - 9:00p

Sunday, August 3 5:00p - 7:00p

Callback Auditions
with Casting Director and Director
Sunday, August 3 7:00p-9:00p

The Wells Theatre

108 E. Tazewell St. Norfolk, VA

Equity and non-Equity actors will be considered for all roles.
Members of Actor’s Equity Association will receive prior access to audition slots.

To request an in-person audition appointment, please complete this
EMMA In Person Audition Request Form OR Email: Auditions@vastage.org
(subject: “EMMA Appointment Request”) .
You will be contacted by Casting Director, Emel Ertugrul to confirm your assigned time.

Please be prepared to:
Perform the side corresponding to your desired role below,
a reader will be provided.

If you are not available for an in-person appointment, but still interested in auditioning, please complete the Video Audition Submission Form.
Video submissions are due by Sunday, August 3. Please no video files, viewing links only.

EMMA - Important Dates

1st Rehearsal: September 30, 2025.

Opening: October 25, 2025.

Closing: November 9, 2025

EMMA - Role Descriptions & Sides

Emma Woodhouse is clever, educated, and energetic… and about to go mad with idleness. In a time when respectable ladies are expected to sit quietly at home, Emma desperately longs for projects—and prides herself on matchmaking, much to the chagrin of her friend Mr. Knightley. But where Emma’s considerable energies focus, screwball comedy follows! A fresh and funny new take on a treasured classic.

NOTE: All actors should have an outstanding command of language – be able to speak the text at speed of thought – as well as know funny whilst playing it for keeps. Embrace the madcap and abandon stiff ideas of style. Exact role doubling is TBD. All characters speak with an RP accent.

SEEKING:

Emma: (She/her, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: late 20s-30s) Almost unbelievably charming; a natural comedienne. Bouncily flirty; possesses more power of manipulation than even she understands; has a certain sunny, charming self-regard — it’s what allows her to get away with so much. (EMMA-KNIGHTLEY1 side, EMMA-HARRIET side)

Harriet Smith: (She/her, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 20s) A deeply likable girl from the lower classes, who’s been given a basic education. A sweet, naturally affectionate human being, but not the brightest flame in the stove. A born enthusiast; the kind of person who leaps WAY before she looks. Has a strong tendency towards hero worship. A born follower. VERY impressionable. Has a desperate adoring friend-crush on Emma. Wants to be in love. Gets flustered easily. A bit naïve. (EMMA-HARRIET side)

George Knightley: (He/him, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 30s-40s) An upright fellow. Very clever. Can be competitive. Almost as charming as Emma. Has the best intentions. He’s also a bit of a rule-follower; maybe sometimes a bit of a stick in the mud. (EMMA-KNIGHTLEY1 side, EMMA-KNIGHTLEY2 side,)

Jane Fairfax/Mrs. Elton as needed/ Mrs. Bates as needed: (She/her, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: late 20s – 30s): You know that girl who always seems to do everything right? Jane is that girl. An overachiever. Very composed. Very beautiful. Very discreet. Very accomplished. Very smart. Every hair in place, and it seems effortless. Works as a governess, until she quits under mysterious circumstances. The only girl-child in a family full of schoolteachers, and thus—seemingly—a model of perfect behavior. Maybe a little bit stiff. Under all of this A+ decorum, she’s hiding a love affair with Frank Churchill—she doubts he can be faithful. Is hiding deep passions under that flawless exterior. May double with Mrs. Elton (20s-30s) not bright. What’s more, she has a laugh that’s the auditory equivalent of nails being torn out of your fingers. Is delighted by everything. Her libido is.... quite active. Thinks her new husband, Mr. Elton, is the most desirable thrilling brilliant man alive. A truly intolerable woman. May actually be a hyena, wearing a human suit. May double with Mrs. Bates. (70s+) An elderly lady, very opinionated, who communicates exclusively in grunts and hand gestures. Mrs. Bates is completely obscured by bonnet and scarves and shawls; she’s a big pile of fabric, rather like Cousin It. We never see what’s underneath all the layers. Exact doubling is TBD. (JANE-EMMA side)

Frank Churchill/Mr. Elton/Robert Martin: (He/him, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 20s-40s) Frank (20s-30s) is an incredibly charming, mischievous flirt of a man—the kind of man who gets away with almost everything, because he’s so irresistible. Not a bad guy, really; just a bit too likable for his own good. Ladies love him. Funny. Gossipy. Clever. A little spoiled and manipulative. A bit unused to hearing “no,” and as a result, doesn’t really believe in “no.” Can be callous or unthinkingly cruel or self-indulgent. Wishes to reform, but can’t.... always.... help himself. Enjoys half-truths and innuendo. Is, underneath everything, in love with Jane Fairfax—but that doesn’t mean other women become uninteresting. Doubles with Mr. Elton (any age) a clergyman who sometimes gets the wrong idea. ADORES poetry. A born social climber. Fancies himself a great romantic. Thinks ladies are naturally coy and enjoy wordplay. Is determined to woo, and win. Thinks he oozes charm; maybe just oozes. Also doubles with ROBERT MARTIN (20s-30s) a sweet groundskeeper, in love with Harriet. Non-speaking. May also double with Mrs. Bates. Exact doubling is TBD. (see above) (FRANK-EMMA side, FRANK-MR.Weston side, MR.Elton-EMMA side)

Additional Cast, non-equity roles:

Mrs. Weston/Mrs. Elton as needed/Mrs. Bates as needed: (She/Her, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 30s-40s). Mrs. Weston (40s) Emma’s former governess. A very smart woman with a good sense of humor; very perceptive and grounded. Not afraid to tell it like it is. Capable of really teaching deep lessons. Not without edge, when she chooses. Likable and opinionated. Gives great advice. Picture the coolest aunt imaginable. May double with Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Elton. Exact doubling is TBD. (See above) (MRS.Weston-KNIGHTLEY side)

Miss Bates/Servant as needed/Mrs. Elton as needed: (She/Her, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 40s+) headmistress of a struggling school for girls. An incredibly good-natured, if motor-mouthed and daft, woman. Very very proud of her niece Jane Fairfax, whom she talks about obsessively. Once she starts talking, you can’t get a word in edgewise. May double with Mrs. Elton. Exact doubling is TBD. (see above) (MISS.Bates-EMMA side)

Mr. Woodhouse/Mr. Weston: (He/Him, Any race/ethnicity, Age range: 40s-60s). Mr. Woodhouse (60s+) is an over-anxious, melancholy hypochondriac, but people humor him, as he’s a nice man under it all. Obsessed with the healing powers of gruel. Tends to darkly predict fatal illnesses as a sign of concern. May double with Mr. Weston, (40s-50s) the kind of man who likes to make awkward “dad jokes.” Very very proud of his son, Frank Churchill. An unsubtle matchmaker. A good man; not a mean thought in his head. Maybe prone to blurting out the wrong thing. Exact doubling is TBD. (MR.Woodhouse1-EMMA side, MR.Woodhouse2 side, FRANK-MR.Weston side)

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