Folger Theatre 2025-26 Season Equity Principal Actors - Folger Theatre Auditions

AUDITION DATE

Friday, August 1, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (E)
Lunch 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

CONTRACT

LOA
$757 weekly minimum (LOA ref. LORT)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Folger Theatre's 2025-26 Season (see breakdown).
All roles will be understudied.
Performers of all racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions are encouraged to audition.
Folger Theatre will provide reasonable accessibility accommodation to individuals who request it in advance.
Folger Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PREPARATION

Please prepare a brief Shakespeare or other monologue. Please bring a headshot and resume stapled together.

LOCATION

Actors' Equity New York Audition Center
165 W 46th St
16th Fl
New York, NY 10036

PERSONNEL

JULIUS X
Adapted by Al Letson
Directed by Nicole Brewer

AS YOU LIKE IT
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Karen Ann Daniels

HOW SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE
Written by Jacob Ming Trent
Directed by Tony Taccone

EXPECTED TO ATTEND:

Beth Emelson: Director of Producing and Associate Director of Programming

OTHER DATES

JULIUS X
Rehearsal: 8/25/25
Open: 9/23/25
Close: 10/26/25

AS YOU LIKE IT
Rehearsal: 2/10/26
Open: 3/10/26
Close: 4/12/26

HOW SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE
Rehearsal: 5/29/26
Open: 6/9/26
Close: 7/6/26

OTHER

EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

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

Folger Theatre 2025-26 Season

The character breakdowns in this announcement include specifications that reflect the identity of the characters. The worlds of these plays will explore the intersections of identities, and actors with bi-racial, multi-cultural, and gender-expansive identities are encouraged to audition.

JULIUS X

Written By Al Letson
A re-envisioning of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Folger Theatre, Washington, DC
Artistic Director: Karen Ann Daniels
Director: Nicole Brewer
Rehearsals Begin: August 26, 2025
Performances: September 23 – October 26, 2025
ALL ROLES HAVE BEEN CAST.

Julius X – 30s-40s male. A respected minister who has returned from travelling the world to assume power in Harlem. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Brutus – 30s-40s male. A lifelong loyal friend to Julius, who is beginning to question his plans. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Cassius – 30s-40s male. Brother-in-law to Brutus, and the organizer of the conspiracy against Julius. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Marc Anthony – 30s-40s male. A confidant of Julius. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Calpurnia – 30s female. Loving wife of Julius, who fears for his safety in the intensity of the political climate. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Portia – 30s female. Wife of Brutus, who struggles with the violence of the conspiracy against Julius. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Adarra – 30s female. Assistant to Julius and Calpurnia. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Cinna – 30s-40s male. The conspirator who works to bring Brutus into their plot against Julius. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Casca – 30s-40s male. Conspirator and informant, he is the first to stab Julius. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Black Soothsayer – Leader of the Soothsayers, who repeatedly warn Julius of impending betrayal. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

AS YOU LIKE IT

Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Psalmayene 24
Folger Theatre, Washington, DC
Artistic Director: Karen Ann Daniels
Director: Karen Ann Daniels
Rehearsals Begin: February 10, 2026
Performances: March 10 – April 19, 2026
Actors with music and movement skills are encouraged to audition.

SEEKING:

Rosalind - 20s Female. Daughter to Duke Senior. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Celia - 20s Female. Rosalind’s cousin, daughter to Duke Frederick. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Orlando - 20s Male. Youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Oliver – 20s-30s Male. Orlando’s elder brother. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition.

Jaques - 40s. A melancholy, exiled lord of Duke Senior. Actors with strong singing ability are encouraged to audition. This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Touchstone – 30s. A court Fool. Actors with strong singing ability are encouraged to audition. Movement and clowning skills an advantage, as well as a familiarity with DC cultural dance styles (ie. Beat ya feet). This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Duke Frederick – 50s-60s. The usurping duke. Actors with strong singing ability are encouraged to audition. This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Duke Senior – 50s-60s. The exiled duke, brother to Duke Frederick. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition. This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Audrey – 20s. A shepherdess who agrees to marry Touchstone. BIPOC Actors are encouraged to audition. This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Phoebe – 20s Female. A shepherdess, who rejects Silvius’ affection. She instead falls in love with Ganymede, who turns out to be Rosalind in disguise. Actors with strong singing ability are encouraged to audition.

Silvius – 20s. A shepherd who is deeply in love with Phoebe. This role is open to actors of all gender expressions.

Additional roles to be doubled among the cast:

• Amiens
• Second Lord
• First Lord
• William
• First Page
• Second Page
• Hymen
• Second Brother
• Adam
• Dennis
• Corin

HOW SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE

Written by Jacob Ming-Trent
Artistic Director: Karen Ann Daniels
Director: TBD
Rehearsals Begin: May 4, 2026
Performances: June 1 - July 3, 2026
ALL ROLES ARE CAST.

Jacob Narrator - Cast