A Red Orchid Theatre 2026-27 Season Equity Principal Actors - Red Orchid Theatre Auditions

A RED ORCHID THEATRE 2026-27 SEASON - CHICAGO EPA

Red Orchid Theatre, A | Chicago, IL

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Tuesday, July 21, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CONTRACT

CAT
$450 weekly minimum (Tier 2)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in A Red Orchid Theatre's 2026-27 Season (See

BREAKDOWN

). Actors of all ages, identities, ethnicities, and genders, as well as artists with disabilities are encouraged to audition. All roles will be understudied.

PREPARATION

Please prepare one (1) contemporary monologue no more than two (2) minutes in length. We may or may not ask you for a 2nd monologue if needed or as time permits. Please bring a headshot and resume stapled together. If you are unable to attend these in-person auditions, you may submit a digital audition. See

BREAKDOWN

for

INSTRUCTIONS

.

LOCATION

Actors' Equity Association - Chicago Member Center
557 W Randolph St
1st Fl
Chicago, IL 60661

PERSONNEL

• dado, Director of TBA SHOW #1
• Terry Guest, Director of SHOW #2
• Shade Murray, Director of TBA SHOW #3

Expected to attend:
Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director
Kyle Stoffers, Casting Director

OTHER DATES

See

BREAKDOWN

for production specific dates.

OTHER

aredorchidtheatre.org
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition. An Equity Monitor will be provided. Equity’s

CONTRACT

s 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 RED ORCHID THEATRE 2026-27 SEASON

DIGITAL AUDITION

INSTRUCTIONS:

If you are unable to attend these in-person auditions, you may submit a digital audition. Please submit your headshot, resume and digital audition via this Google Form (copy and paste the link to access):
https://forms.gle/mr44wdG7fVnhjF7Z8
Please prepare and self-tape one (1) contemporary monologue no more than two (2) minutes in length.
Self-tapes should be submitted as links. YouTube Unlisted Links or Vimeo Links are preferred. Please make sure anyone with the link may view. Self-tapes submitted with passwords or other restrictions may not be considered. No emailed self-tapes, please.
The DEADLINE for self-tapes: Midnight the evening of Friday, July 24, 2026.

TBA SHOW #1 - WORLD PREMIERE

Directed by Ensemble Member dado
First Rehearsal: September 29, 2026
First Preview: October 29, 2026
Closing: December 6, 2026

SEEKING:

• CHARACTER 1 - ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, 50s, Mother
• CHARACTER 2 - 30-40s, Daughter
• CHARACTER 3 - 40-50s, Local

TBA SHOW #2 - CHICAGO PREMIERE

Directed by Terry Guest
First Rehearsal: January 5, 2027
First Preview: February 4, 2027
Closing: March 14, 2027

SEEKING:

• CHARACTER 1 - they/them, 20. The star. Our MC. Swinging wildly between pissed, sweet, and mystical, maybe mythical. Sometimes in control of the narrative, sometimes being swept away by the story. An emerging drag performer moonlighting as a barback at the local hole-in-the-wall gay bar downtown.
• CHARACTER 2 - he/him, 40s-50s. Father. The earth. Clumsily making his way through this world. A terminal diagnosis brings out a complicated core of wants and desires and regrets. He's been stuck in an office with fluorescent lights overhead and has never felt much of a purpose... until now.
• CHARACTER 3 - she/her, 40s-50s. Mother. The space between. Slightly neurotic and easy to get riled up, she wants with all her might to spend her last days with her husband, alone in a bed with their child by their side. A bit of I'd like to speak to the manager energy. A bit of a ferocious tornado, ready to protect her family, wondering how the fuck she can fix this.
• CHARACTER 4 - she/her, 20s-30s. Sister, a high-maintenance yoga gal, who's the center of her own universe. But she's ride-or-die for family and can be a surprisingly great listener. Doubles as: Ensemble A & others.
• CHARACTER 5 - he/him, 20s-30s. Good-natured and well-meaning, but uncomfortable in social situations and too smart for his own good. M's boyfriend. Doubles as: Ensemble B & others.
• CHARACTER 6 – ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, she/her, 60s. Dealing with her wife's cancer diagnosis by at times lashing out, at times being the best older sister you could ever hope for. Blue collar. Doubles as: Ensemble C & others.

TBA SHOW #3 - WORLD PREMIERE

Adaptation by Ensemble Members Steve Haggard and Shade Murray
Directed by Shade Murray
First Rehearsal: April 6, 2027
First Preview: May 6, 2027
Closing: June 13, 2027

SEEKING:

• CHARACTER 1 - ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, male presenting, late 30s-40s, Former pastor and last in the long line of an influential and wealthy family
• CHARACTER 2 - Female presenting 20s-30s, Lives at the estate, Aide to the late wife of CHARACTER 1, Grounded, Quick, Self-aware
• CHARACTER 3 - ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, Male presenting 30s- late 40s, Businessman, Lifelong friend of CHARACTER 1, Self-assured, Charming, Privileged
• CHARACTER 4 – ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, Female presenting, 50s-60s, Longtime housekeeper of CHARACTER 1, Traditional, Superstitious, Knowing
• CHARACTER 5 - Male presenting 50s-60s, Former tutor of CHARACTER 1, Provocative, Quick-witted, Self-destructive
• CHARACTER 6 - ALREADY CAST,

  SEEKING

  UNDERSTUDY, Male presenting, 30s-50s, Editor of an influential tabloid, Vengeful, Driven, Calculating
• Also

  SEEKING

  ENSEMBLE (2) - 20s-50s, members of the household and community