Although Shimai is mainly performed by a shite-kata (main role), there are other variations such as dances carried out by two performers in the form of Ryojite (dual Shite) like 'Kosode Soga' (The Soga and the wadded silk robe) and "'Futari Shizuka' (a couple of the young ladies named Shizuka), and performances of different dances between Shite (main role) and Tsure (performer appearing after the shite) on the same stage like 'Ryoko (Noh)' (dragon and tiger) and 'Shari (Noh)' (bones left after cremation).
主としてシテ方が一人で行うが、なかには「小袖曾我」や「二人静」のように両ジテ的な相舞のもの、「龍虎(能)」「舎利(能)」のようにシテとツレが異なった舞をひとつの舞台で見せるものがある。