Casting

Rafiki is a wise mandrill who acts as a healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos and leads the African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong singing voice who can convey both the character's wisdom and humor.

Mufasa is the strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly portray the authroity of a king. Mufasa passes away partway through the show, so be mindful of any potential sensitivites among your young performers when casting this role. 

Zazu is Mufasa's anxious yet loyal assistant who is always busy trying to serve the king. Bound by an unfailing sense of duty, Zazu appears uptight but never wavers in trying to protect Young Simba. Cast an actor with good diction and comic timing to help convey Zazu's worried, rule-following nature in contrast to the more playful cubs.

Scar is the antagonist of the show, overcome with jealously of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands. Cast a mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while handling Scar's sarcastic sense of humor.

Young Simba, the protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Young Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, he struggles with shame and questions his destiny. Cast a confident singer and a dynamic, high-energy performer in this role. Bear in mind that this actor will need to embody challenging themes involving the death of a parent, so be sure to cast this role thoughtfully and sensitively within your community.

Young Nala is a courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend who is not afraid to speak her mind. Look for a strong, spunky performer who can portray this confident cub. 

Simba, having grown from a cub to lion, is carefree on the surface while wrestling with guilt over his past. Cast a mature actor who can portray the complex moments as Simba reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and finds the strength to confront Scar. To help illustrate the connection to Young Simba, consider auditioning the two actors in pairs, and ensure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary.

Nala has grown into a brave, empowered lioness who is fiercely protective over her pride and homeland. Cast a strong actress and singer who can embody Nala's courageous, determined nature. As with older Simba and Young Simba, consider the transition from Young Nala to Nala when casting this role.

Timon is an outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with his best friend Pumbaa. This anxious mammal pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo but is actually afraid of their own shadow. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing.

Pumbaa is a kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast an actor who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.

Sarabi is a featured lioness, Mufasa's partner, and Simba's mother. Cast an actor who can deliver Sarabi's few speaking lines with warmth and command of a queen.

Banzai is a slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. Banzai is the closest thing this lazy group has to a leader, so look for an outgiong and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As Banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed, consider auditioning the hyenas in trios. 

Shenzi is one of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the most brazen one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.

Ed is the third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. Ed's loud, cackling laugh is this hyena's only form of communication, so cast an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words.

The Ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. They even become part of the environemntal landscape, portraying the swaying grasslands and leafy jungle. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits.