A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Equity Principal Actors - Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Auditions

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - Boston, MA EPA

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company | Boston, MA

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

LOCATION

Monday, February 2, 2026 — Artists Studio Building, Boston Center for the Arts
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (E)
551 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
Break: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

PERSONNEL

Appointments: Steven Maler — Founding Artistic Director, Production Director

Expected to attend: Bryn Boice — Associate Artistic Director, Text Coach

LOA: Victoria Townsend — Artistic Programs Manager

Please visit
https://commshakes.org/auditions/ to request an audition slot.

CONTRACT

$710 weekly minimum (LOA ref. LORT)

OTHER DATES

First rehearsal: Between June 22–29, 2026
Production dates: July 22 – August 9, 2026, with possible extension through August 13, 2026

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (see breakdown).

PREPARATION

For the auditions, please prepare a 2-minute Shakespeare monologue, preferably in verse. You may be asked for a second short contemporary contrasting monologue. This production will be rehearsed indoors in Boston, MA and then transfer to CSC’s outdoor performance space on the Boston Common for tech and performances.

OTHER

An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition. Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Theseus / Oberon — (Male, 30s–40s) Theseus is Duke of Athens: a compassionate leader distracted by his current nuptial bliss. Oberon is King of the Fairies: quick to jealousy and temper but also with a mischievous, humorous streak.

Hippolyta / Titania — (Female, 30s–40s) Hippolyta is to wed Theseus; his match in wit and strength, Queen of the Amazons with a warrior’s background. Titania is Queen of the Fairies: strong and resilient with care and sensitivity for her fairies and the forest. Loves Oberon but stands her ground.

Puck / Philostrate — (Any gender, any age) Moves well. Mischievous and inventive. Assistant to Oberon but always looking to have the most fun possible. A storyteller with a strong sense of play, dance, and movement.

Bottom — (Any gender, any age) Moves well. The “star” of the Mechanicals, set to play the leading knight Pyramus. A true performer whose ambition may not match his skill set. Has a perspective-changing, humbling experience in the forest.

Peter Quince — (Any gender, 30s plus) Quince is the company’s director. An earnest visionary working to corral the chaos of the ensemble.

Flute — (Likely male, 20s–30s) A strong-willed performer who probably should be playing the lead. Foil to Bottom. Plays “Thisbe” in the Mechanicals’ play.

Helena — (Female, 20s–30s) An often self-deprecating, sometimes obsessed, always passionate young woman who follows her love into the forest.

Hermia — (Female, 20s–30s) A strong-willed young woman, determined to elope with Lysander, whom she loves. Defies her father and the Duke for love.

Demetrius — (Male, 20s–30s) A proud and somewhat arrogant young man who, thanks to some love juice from the fairies, wavers rapidly between loving Hermia and Helena. Moves well.