Chicago Shakespeare Theater has no resident acting company, and auditions for each production are by invitation only and may include both Equity and non-Equity actors.

General Auditions

CST holds general Equity and Non-Equity auditions in January and February for our upcoming season, including summer productions. Separate days are scheduled for dramatic auditions and musical/dramatic auditions. Once specific dates for these auditions are set, Equity actors may sign up through the Chicago Equity office. Non-Equity auditions are announced in Performink, as well as on this website. Non-Equity actors should submit one headshot/resume via regular mail, requesting a dramatic and/or musical audition. Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, not all non-Equity submissions will be contacted to receive audition times. However, invited generals are held throughout the year on an as-needed basis, and submissions are accepted year-round.

Actors preparing a dramatic audition should have two monologues not exceeding four minutes in length total—one Shakespeare (verse preferable) and one contemporary, or two contrasting contemporary monologues. Actors preparing a musical audition should have 32 bars of a song (bring sheet music, an accompanist will be provided) and one two-minute monologue, either Shakespeare or contemporary. Shakespeare should be performed in standard American dialect.

Submissions

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
ATTN: Casting
800 East Grand Avenue on Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60611
No phone calls, please.