Audition for Ramona

Be A Part of History

"Ramona" is California's Official Outdoor Play, and America's longest continuously running drama. Staged annually in Hemet, California since 1923, the play is based on the 1884 novel "Ramona" by Helen Hunt Jackson. 

Upcoming Workshops:

Join us for FREE audition workshops at the Ramona Amphitheatre in the Alessandro Room. These workshops, led by our Artistic Director Duane Minard, are designed to provide performers sixteen (16) years old and older with essential information on how to prepare for auditions.

Audition Application

If you're interested in auditioning for a part in "Ramona" for the 2026 season, please fill out an application form promptly. The workshop is highly encouraged for the roles of Ramona, Alessandro, and Senora.  There is no cost to attend the workshops.  Auditioning for all speaking roles will be held on January 17th and 18th, 2026. For all those auditioning for speaking roles, you must request “sides” for the roles you wish to audition for, and the sides need to be committed to memory (off-book) by the auditions in January 2026. 

When filling out the audition application, you will find a list of characters. Please select the ones you'd like to audition for. If you're interested in a principal role, submit a headshot (photo) and one-page resume with your application to Artistic Director Duane Minard at theyurokndn@gmail.com.

All volunteers and participants in the production must also complete a volunteer application form each year.

For any questions, character sides, and workshop/audition times, feel free to contact him directly at 951-712-7327.

Workshops and Auditions for Ramona 2026

Workshops are not mandatory for the Auditions. They are a tool to give the actors an insight into what the Artistic Director will be looking for in the Auditions this year and to help the actors develop their characters.  This year’s Workshop, we will be working with actors on Character Development and contrasting Monologues. Please bring in your monologue choices, and we will help you further develop your craft. 

ACTING WORKSHOPS:

Characters:  Marda, Juan, Father Salvedierra, Dolores, Luigo, and Margarita

Characters: Aunt Ri, Joe, Jefferson, and

Father Gaspara

Characters: Ramona, Alessandro, Senora, Felipe

Characters: Storyteller, Ancient Mara, Ysidro

The auditions are closed. The participants and the Director’s staff will be the only ones allowed to view the process. The final decision of who will be cast is at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director, Duane Minard. The public announcement of the cast will be made at the President’s Gala on January 24, 2026

AUDITIONS:

Characters:  Marda, Juan, Father Salvedierra, Dolores, Luigo, Margarita

Characters: Aunt Ri, Joe, Jefferson, and Father Gaspara

Characters: Storyteller, Ancient Mara, and Ysidro

Characters: Ramona, Alessandro, Senora, Felipe

RAMONA CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

These characters are based on the 1883 novel RAMONA by Helen Hunt Jackson. Actors who wish to be considered for these roles must be able to act outside in all types of weather in a large amphitheater, possess a strong voice and be able to take command of the stage with energy.

Storyteller

(30-45). Principal narrator of the play. She is the Native American spirit of Ramona’s daughter with Alessandro. Strong expressive voice required.

Ramona

(20-30). Star of the show. Experienced actress with stage training required. Able to participate in the Elder Blessing Scene as a Native Singer or Dancer, as well as dance in the Fiesta Scene.  She is the foster daughter of the Senora, being raised as a Spaniard on the Rancho Moreno, but she is half Scottish and half Native American. She faces enormous racial prejudice when she falls in love with Alessandro. The actress must be able to play the arc of the character from an innocent convent-educated Spanish girl in the first half of the show to the strong and loving Native American at the end of the show after experiencing enormous tragedy and violence. Ability to sing is a plus.

Alessandro

20-40). Lover and future husband of Ramona. Native American. Athletic with the ability to run great distances in various terrains. Able to participate in the Elder Blessing Scene as a Native Singer or Dancer. A sensitive man with great love for nature and his Native American heritage (Luiseno/Cahuilla). The actor must be able to play the arc of the character from a gentle agrarian chief of the sheepshearers to a rebellious and anguished victim of racial prejudice and violence at the end of the play.

Juan Canito

(40-60). Overseer of the Rancho. Wonderful character representing Old California. Cranky but with a heart of gold. Worried about the fall of California to the United States. He tries to be a mediator between the Native American ranch hands and the class discrimination symbolized by the Senora. Several very comic scenes.

Señora

(40-60). The matriarch of the Rancho. Runs everything with an iron hand. Hates the Americanos and believes Native Americans should stay in their place. Experienced actress with stage training required. Passionate voice required with an imperial presence. She reveals why she hates Native Americans in a powerful monologue showing her vulnerability.

Don Felipe

(25-35). Son of Senora. Heir to the Rancho. Weak character and beginning of play, but develops into a strong presence. Friend of Alessandro with a compassionate heart. Secretly loves Ramona and clashes with Alessandro. An elegant and refined Spanish gentleman.

Marda

(30-50) Housekeeper and cook at the Rancho. In charge of all the servants. Counterpoint to Juan Canito. They probably love each other but the bickering is hilarious. Loves everyone (does not always show it) and worries about Ramona’s future. Several very comic scenes.

Padre Salvedierra

(50-70) Elderly Franciscan priest. Almost an image of Padre Junipero Serra. Extremely kind. Has known Ramona since her birth and knows the truth about Ramona’s relationship with the Senora. Although terminally ill, he has great inner strength and love for all.

Margarita

(Actress to play 16 years old) Daughter of Marda. Peasant class. Innocent but likes to chase the boys. She is in love with love and dislikes Ramona because she is of a higher class. Lots of energy and must be able run swiftly, laugh and tease Luigo. She is always getting in trouble with the Senora and Marda.

Luigo

(Actor to play 16 to 18 years old) Ranch Hand. Always happy and fun loving. Rugged. Has grown up with Margarita and she loves to tease him. Comic relief character.

Dolores

(12-14). Spunky and precocious child of the Rancho. Daughter of Marda. Always having fun. Something of a “Tom-Boy.”

Padre Gaspara

(45-65). Itinerant Jesuit who is a defender of the Native Americans. Brave character who stands up to the Americanos, but with the heart of a priest.

Ysidro

(20-30) Cousin to Alessandro. Strong and athletic. Not afraid to stand up to the white men. Able to participate in the Elder Blessing Scene as a Native Singer or Dancer.

Aunt Ri

 (30-50). Pioneer settler. Heart of gold. Major character in the novel. Protects Ramona and her baby. Strong southern accent.

Joe

(Actor to play 12 to15 year old). Son of Aunt Ri and Jefferson Hyer. Precocious and fun-loving kid. Brave when needed.

Jefferson Hyer

(30-50). Husband of Aunt Ri. Farmer with an incredible sense of fairness. Must have a strong voice and physical presence when protecting Ramona from two cowboys.

Ancient Mara

(50-70). Native Elder.  Leads the Blessing of Eyes of Sky in the Elder Blessing Scene.  Must be able to participate in Native Singing and Dancing.

2026 Volunteer & Cast Applications

RETURN THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION TO YOUR COMMITTEE LEADER NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 25, 2026.

Applications must be returned in order for your name to appear in the Souvenir Program

 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office:

(951) 658-3111 or email:  ramona@ramonabowl.com

Major Roles/Cowboys

If you are cast in a major role or a cowboy in the 103rd Season of Ramona, please download and fill out this form, or you may fill it out entirely online and submit by email to: ramona@ramonabowl.com

Production Adult

If you are an adult production volunteer for the 103rd Season of Ramona, please download and fill out this form, or you may fill it out entirely online and submit by email to:    ramona@ramonabowl.com

Support Adult

If you are an adult support volunteer for the 103rnd Season of Ramona, please download and fill out this form, or you may fill it out entirely online and submit by email to:  ramona@ramonabowl.com

Child/Youth

This form must be filled out by a parent or legal guardian for a child / youth volunteers for the 103rd Season of Ramona, please download and fill out this form, or fill it out entirely online and submit to: ramona@ramonabowl.com