This spring Notre Dame’s drama department will stage a Shakespeare favorite, Much Ado About Nothing.

Auditions were held on January 19 and 20 with callbacks on January 22.

“The auditions went very well. I was very impressed and surprised that a lot did Shakespeare monologues,” said Mr. Steve Stary, Drama Club adviser.

Much Ado About Nothing is a Shakespeare comedy about two couples and their struggle through their relationships.

The play features Beatrice, played by Kristy Shuck, and Benedick, played by Luke LeClair. They both refuse to fall in love and often share witty insults.

The other couple, Hero, played by Karlie Hornberger, and Claudio, played by Alex Wasilkoff, are getting married. Claudio falls in love with Hero after coming back from the war, but Don John, played by Nadine Druar, tries to sabotage their relationship. The whole play takes place at the estate of Leonata, played by Juliana Martin.

The play will be directed by Rebecca Curran, who directed last year’s play, The Twelfth Night.  Curran graduated from Florida State with a theater degree in 2013. She also did Shakespeare-specific training in England through Florida State and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

“[The play is different because] not a lot of schools do Shakespearean plays; Notre Dame is unique in that,” said Mr. Stary. “The play will also take place during the Civil War.”

There are 22 people in the cast with cast members of all grades. Many in the show have been in a previous Notre Dame play or musical.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the show,” said freshman Clare Ravizza. “I think it will be fun learning Shakespeare and meeting new people.”

Much Ado About Nothing will be performed at Notre Dame April 16-19.