Casting: Panto 2026 - Robin Hood

Oct 6

4 min read

We’re looking for fabulous local individuals to join our Panto cast for this festive season! If you love to make people laugh, can bring big energy to the stage, and want to be part of this joyful holiday tradition, we want to hear from you.

Production: Robin Hood

Location: Marywood University, Scranton, PA

Rehearsal Dates: TBD based on cast availability (Mid November–December) Performance Dates:

Friday, December 11, 2026 – 6:30 PM
Saturday, December 12, 2026 – 6:30 PM
Sunday, December 13, 2026 – 1:00 PM

Stipend: Modest stipend ~$200. Ensemble roles are unpaid.

Directed By: Joe McGurl

Choreographed By: Kelly Jean Graham

All submitting performers should be local, or have access to local housing. No travel stipend is offered for this project.

Submission Deadline: Friday, October 16 at 11:59 PM EST

Submit To: casting@scrantonshakes.com

ROLES AVAILABLE

ROBIN HOOD

Any gender | 20s–30s

The legendary outlaw and leader of the Merry Folk. Brave, charming, theatrical, and genuinely committed to helping the common people, but also extremely aware that he is the hero of the story. Robin’s confidence frequently crosses into vanity, and his need to prove himself is as likely to cause trouble as his heroics are to solve it. Large stage presence, light choreography and strong singing ability required.

🗣 Audition: Prepare Monologue 1 and 32 bars of any contemporary song.

LITTLE JOHN

Male-presenting preferred (any gender welcome) | 20s–30s

Robin Hood’s best friend and right-hand man. Big personality, fiercely loyal, endlessly enthusiastic, and not always the brightest person in Sherwood. Little John is one of the show’s primary audience-interaction characters and should be comfortable directly engaging with a crowd, improvising, and handling broad physical comedy. Doesn’t need to be a trained singer, but rhythm and comedic musicality are important.

🗣 Audition: Prepare Monologue 2 and 32 bars of any contemporary song

WILL SCARLET

Any gender | 20s–30s

A loyal member of Robin’s Merry Folk and an active part of their efforts to help the people of Scrantonham. Will is adventurous, energetic, and ready to jump into whatever ridiculous plan the group comes up with. This role will be heavily involved in ensemble comedy, musical numbers, and the Merry Folk’s increasingly chaotic schemes. Strong comedic instincts and singing/movement ability preferred.

🗣 Audition: Prepare Monologue 2 and 32 bars of any contemporary song

MERRY FOLK/ENSEMBLE

All genders | 16+

The citizens, outlaws, guards, henchpeople, and assorted residents of Scrantonham who bring the world of the panto to life. The ensemble is an active part of the storytelling, appearing throughout the show in musical numbers, comedy sequences, audience interaction, and the final showdown. Looking for energetic and enthusiastic performers who are comfortable singing, moving, being silly, and engaging directly with an audience.

🗣 Audition: Prepare 32 bars of any contemporary song.

AUDITION MATERIALS

Monologue 1 (for Robin Hood)

People say I steal from the rich. I say that is a terrible oversimplification. I prefer to think of it as aggressive wealth redistribution. The Sheriff takes from people who can barely afford bread, and I take it back.

That’s why the people of Scrantonham look at me as their hero! Robin Hood! Defender of the downtrodden! Champion of the poor! Greatest archer in all of NEPA! And, according to several reliable sources, extremely handsome!

Look, I never said I was humble. I said I was a hero. And as long as the Sheriff keeps taking from people who have nothing left to give, I’m going to keep getting in his way. Preferably while looking fantastic doing it. You may be asking, do I have a plan? Of course. I have concepts of a plan. Now, is it a good plan? Well, that kind of thinking just invites negativity into our lives! No need to welcome that nonsense! But am I confident that the plan will work? ….well…as Friar Tuck likes to say: ya gotta have faith!

Monologue 2 (for Little John & Will Scarlet)

The truth is folks, times have been a little tough around here lately. Prince John and that rotten Sheriff have taxed just about everything in Scrantonham. Bread, ale, meat, vegetables, breathing. You name it, they’ve found a way to charge you for it. I went to the market yesterday and got hit with a new “poultry tax” when I bought a chicken. It was $5 for the chicken and then an extra dollar for each feather on it! Honestly, they can’t keep getting away with this. It’s “eggs”-tortion!

Tough crowd. Anyway, not everyone around here is willing to put up with all that nonsense. You lot have heard of Robin Hood, haven’t you?

Course you have! Best archer in the kingdom, champion of the poor, terror of the rich, and my oldest and dearest friend. Although I knew him before he was famous. Back then he was just Robin, couldn’t even afford the hood yet! These days Robin and the rest of us Merry Folk have been doing our best to help the people of Scrantonham. Whenever the Sheriff takes more than he ought to, we take it back. Some people call that stealing. I call it...also stealing. But for a good cause! We’ve been living out in Sherwood Park for a while now. It’s not bad. Plenty of fresh air, lots of trees, no rent, a splash pad on hot days! The only problem is there’s nowhere to get a decent drink. So that’s why I come here!

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the required audition material for your chosen role.
Record your self-tape (smartphone recordings are fine).
Email your submission to casting@scrantonshakes.com
- Use the subject line: PANTO CASTING – [Your Name] – [Role]
Include:
- Headshot
- Resume
- Link or attached file of your audition video
Deadline: Friday, October 16 at 11:59 PM EST