Street Cast: The Emperor’s Court
Company: Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company
Event: Dickens Festival at Historic Smithville
Location: 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205
Website: riddlesbrood.com/Festivals
Performance Dates & Call Times:
Saturday, November 28, 2026: 12 PM call, with appearances surrounding the 1 PM performance and leading up to the 5 PM performance. Street performers are released after their final scheduled appearance and do not stay through the second performance.
Sunday, November 29, 2026: 12 PM call, with appearances surrounding the 1 PM performance.
A detailed schedule of appearances, breaks, and release times will be provided in advance.
Compensation: $350 flat stipend for the weekend, paid at final wrap by check or PayPal.
Enter the Emperor’s Court
Riddlesbrood’s festivals bring a playful fantasy realm to Historic Smithville, complete with eccentric characters, royal nonsense, and unexpected encounters. This November’s mainstage production is A Christmas Carol, while our street cast brings the Emperor’s Court to life throughout the village.
We’re seeking expressive, comedic character actors to portray a delightfully silly, absurd, and over-the-top royal entourage. If you enjoy high camp, ridiculous pomp, and playful banter with visitors, we’d love to hear from you. Mature and seasoned performers are warmly welcomed!
These are street performance positions, separate from roles in the scripted mainstage play.
Available Characters
The Emperor & High Nobles: Hold court, grant outrageously pompous royal audiences, and pose for photos with your admiring—or thoroughly bewildered—subjects.
The Imperial Herald / Town Crier: Use a microphone and brass bell to proclaim absurd royal decrees, announce upcoming shows, and herald the arrival of the imperial procession.
Courtiers, Sycophants & Royal Guards: Portray flattering attendants, dramatic aristocrats, imposing bodyguards, and eccentric hangers-on who treat ordinary village happenings as matters of profound imperial importance.
What You’ll Do
The court will lead two short processions on Saturday and one on Sunday to announce the upcoming mainstage performances. Performers will also help distribute flyers to departing audiences after the 1 PM performances.
Between processions, actors will have scheduled character activities suited to their comedic strengths: royal audiences, spirited announcements, ridiculous etiquette checks, and other playful encounters with festival visitors.
Some roles include a few prescribed lines to learn, but most of the performance is in-character improvisation, with room to develop your character’s personality and comic material.
Performer Amenities
Reserved parking adjacent to the changing area.
Heated indoor green room with mirrors, seating, and costume racks.
Complimentary hot coffee, hot tea, and bottled water.
A clear schedule with call times, appearances, and breaks provided in advance.
Wardrobe
Performers who own Victorian, Dickensian, Regency, or opulent period/Renaissance court attire are strongly preferred.
No costume? Please apply anyway! We may be able to provide one. The company will also supply royal accessories such as crowns, medallions, capes, scepters, and crier bells to complete the imperial look.
How to Apply
Email info@riddlesbrood.com with the subject line:
[Your Name] – Emperor’s Court Submission
Please include:
Your name, phone number, and where you’ll be commuting from.
A brief performance background, description of your comedic experience, or résumé.
One or two photos in any period attire you own; informal snapshots are welcome. If you don’t own a costume, send a current photo and mention that you may need wardrobe assistance.
Confirmation that you’re available November 28 and 29.
You may also indicate interest in future festival opportunities, including Memorial Day Weekend.
How to Apply
Email info@riddlesbrood.com with the subject line:
[Your Name] – Emperor’s Court Submission
Please include:
Your name, phone number, and where you’ll be commuting from.
A brief performance background, description of your comedic experience, or résumé.
One or two photos in any period attire you own; informal snapshots are welcome. If you don’t own a costume, send a current photo and mention that you may need wardrobe assistance.
Confirmation that you’re available November 28 and 29.
You may also indicate interest in future festival opportunities, including Memorial Day Weekend.
