Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Casts Five Dogs in Unique Role for “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is breaking tradition by casting five dogs in the role of Crab, a character in their touring production of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." The auditions, which saw an unexpectedly high turnout of enthusiastic dog owners,…
St. Louis, MO, August 13, 2026 —
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is introducing an unconventional twist to its upcoming touring production of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” with five dogs selected to portray the character of Crab.
This departure from tradition marks a significant shift for the festival, as it seeks to incorporate an animal-led element into the classic Shakespearean play. The decision to cast canine performers in the role of Crab aims to bring a unique and memorable dimension to the production.
Auditions for the role of Crab reportedly saw a surprisingly large number of interested dog owners and their pets, indicating a strong community response to this innovative casting call. The selected dogs represent a variety of breeds and possess distinct personalities, which festival organizers hope will enhance the character’s portrayal on stage.
These canine actors will share the stage with human performers, contributing an unusual charm and a novel approach to the well-known play. The touring production is scheduled to be performed for audiences throughout the St. Louis region.
Further details regarding the specific breeds, training methods, and performance schedules were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Rachel Lippmann on www.stlpr.org, see more information here.
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