Lamplighters Music Theatre 

is pleased to announce auditions for their Spring 2026 production of

Gilbert & Sullivan’s PATIENCE #BunthornesBride 

AUDITIONS will be held Tuesday, September 16th and Thursday, September 18th, and will take place in San Francisco at the Lamplighters Rehearsal Hall, 469 Bryant Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets in the South of Market area of San Francisco). Please use this sign-up program to book your audition time. 

Please fill out the audition information form and upload headshots and resumes prior to the auditions (through the form). If you are unable to attend in person, video audition submissions may be uploaded through the form as well. 

STAGE DIRECTOR: David Euresti

MUSIC DIRECTOR: Jennifer Ashworth

It’s 2026 and the village of Queensbury, England has been abuzz with excitement ever since Bunthorne, the “Poet” with a million followers, came to town. On his social media channel, he streams poetry readings that teach the beauty of the aesthetic lifestyle, the joy of living in the past, and the true meaning of love.

Now the Dragoon Guards, the village’s soccer team, have finally returned from the Championship play-offs and expect a hearty welcome. Instead, they are met with AesthetiCon, an event in which Bunthorne’s most ardent followers, who call themselves “the lovesick maidens,” will get a chance to meet and greet (and possibly marry?!) the poet. 

But can Bunthorne's popularity survive his apparent infatuation with Patience, a local package courier who doesn’t even like poetry? Or will he be cancelled when rival influencer Grosvenor shows up in the village reluctantly promoting his own brand of aestheticism?

This adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved operetta will feature a mixture of old and new. Lamplighters’ beautiful aesthetic costumes will be set alongside today’s casual wear. Cleverly updated lyrics will bring this tale about the cult of attention to modern audiences while Sullivan’s beautiful music will be preserved for those who are more traditional. For this reason, the stage director is looking for performers who are open to doing things “a little differently.”

All roles are open. We are looking for strong singer-actors for the roles listed below. Experience in Gilbert & Sullivan is not necessary if you can sing and act the role. Lamplighters welcomes and encourages performers of diverse ethnicities and abilities to audition. We specifically welcome diversity in casting. Some roles may be double-cast or understudied.

Lamplighters Music Theatre is non-AEA and casts a mixture of paid (leads) and volunteer (ensemble) performers. Paid performers will be temporary part-time employees per CA AB5, and must be able to work legally in the United States. Total compensation will be based on actual hours worked, at San Francisco minimum wage, currently $19.18/hour. Transportation and housing are not provided. All ensemble singers will be offered expense reimbursement up to $500 to help offset costs such as purchasing tights and footwear, voice lessons and coaching, travel and lodging, etc.

BREAKDOWN OF ROLES

PATIENCE (soprano) 

A delivery worker who is not into technology or love, hence not a follower of any influencer.  She's sweet, sincere, and good-hearted but very dedicated to her job. Since she is a bit naïve and new to love, she makes mistakes as she learns from the crazy folks in the village. 

REGINALD BUNTHORNE (comic “patter” baritone) 

A self-absorbed influencer and poet. He must be able to display two personalities, the bigger than life pastoral teacher who's into the aesthetic lifestyle he preaches, and the cynical opportunist who's only in this for money and fame. 

ARCHIBALD GROSVENOR (lyric baritone) 

An idyllic poet and influencer. Grosvenor is the true opposite of Bunthorne’s cynical persona. He became an influencer of the aesthetic lifestyle because he feels the need to teach, in fact he probably hates being called an influencer. 

JANE (contralto)

Bunthorne’s devoted Social Media Manager. She’s a believer in Bunthorne's teaching so her goal is to spread it out to the world. Being a little older than the usual follower has given her a bit of cynicism for the younger generation.

ANGELA (mezzo-soprano) 

A rapturous follower who takes the role of teacher to Patience when she needs it.  Though, her advice is terrible.

SAPHIR (mezzo-soprano or soprano)

A rapturous follower, very obsessed and perhaps a bit melodramatic in her ways.

ELLA (soprano) 

A rapturous follower. A comprimario with a solo in the opening number.

COLE “COLONEL” CALVERLEY (bass-baritone)

Captain of the Dragoon Guards. A true leader that everybody loves, though perhaps can get a big grumpy, a little bit of Roy Kent.  He also has a pretty long patter song which will have lyrics updated, so don't start memorizing yet.

MAXWELL “MAJOR” MURGATROYD (baritone) 

Player on the Dragoon Guards. Plays a vital role in the 2nd act as a fifth wheel.

DORIAN, THE DUKE OF DUNSTABLE (tenor) 

Ex-Royal who now plays for the Dragoon Guards. He left his royal duties to join a sports league because he wanted to earn the attention rather than just get it.  He’s a bit self-deprecating and willing to be the butt of a joke.

CHORUS OF RAPTUROUS FOLLOWERS AND SOCCER PLAYERS

As with most Gilbert & Sullivan shows, the chorus is a very important part of the action and has much stage time and wonderful music. However due to space limitations we will only need 2 each sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Ensemble members will engage directly with the audience as followers. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

San Francisco, Theater TBD

Saturday, March 14, 2026 - 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 2 pm

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 2 pm

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 22, 2026 - 2 pm

Saturday, March 28, 2026 - 2 pm

Saturday, March 28, 2026 - 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 29, 2026 - 2 pm

Mountain View, Theater TBD

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 2pm

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS 

Please come to the preliminary audition with two contrasting songs in English, preferably from opera, operetta or classical music theatre, that you feel will show off your voice well. You may only be asked to sing one song. An accompanist will be provided. Bring your music in the key in which you will sing it.

Also be sure to bring your calendar so that you can give us any conflicts that you may have during the rehearsal period. If you are needed for a callback, you will be notified.