Theatre 29 and the Joshua Tree Shakespeare Company to hold auditions for “Romeo & Juliet: A Mojave Reimagining”

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. Most importantly, no previous Shakespeare experience is necessary.

Auditions will consist of reading scenes together and exploring the material in a relaxed, supportive environment. Performances are scheduled for October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, 2026 at Theatre 29. In addition to performers, the production is seeking backstage volunteers and technical crew in all areas of theatrical production.

Those wishing to audition or to be a part of the show should contact: Creative Director Brian Hennessy at brianhennessy@joshuatreeshakespeare.org

Support for this production provided in part by Visit 29 Palms.