Illinois Shakespeare Festival 2026 Season Equity Principal Actors - Illinois Shakespeare Festival Auditions

AUDITION DATE

Tuesday, November 25, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
BREAK: 12:00PM - 1:00PM

CONTRACT

URTA
$824 weekly minimum (Tier 2)

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2026 Season (see breakdown). Productions run in rotating repertory, and most actors will be cast in all three productions.

PREPARATION

Please prepare two contrasting monologues, at least one Shakespeare. Please bring your headshot and resume stapled together.

LOCATION

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

PERSONNEL

Robert Quinlan, Artistic Director
Charlie Freudenheim, Casting Associate

EXPECTED TO ATTEND:

Robert Quinlan, Artistic Director
Danielle Roos, Director of TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

OTHER DATES

First Rehearsal: May 19, 2026
Season Opening: June 24, 2026
Season Closing: August 2, 2026

OTHER

https://illinoisshakes.com/
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.
An Equity Monitor will be provided.
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.

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

BREAKDOWN

ILLINOIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2026 SEASON

SEEKING:

OUR TOWN

The Stage Manager (CAST): The companion of the audience through the play, orchestrating the events of the play, intervening in scenes and building the world of the play, The Stage Manager steps in and out of the play, at times taking on characters and moving the play forward.

Emily Webb: The protagonist of the play, a school friend of George, and eventual wife, a thoughtful daughter and intelligent student. Emily's death in childbirth leads her to attempt to return to the land of the living, resulting in the culmination of the play's journey.

Mr. Webb: Father of Emily and local newspaper editor who presents his findings about the town to the audience.

Mrs. Webb: The direct and pragmatic mother of Emily, who despite hiding her emotions, wants nothing but the best for her daughter.

Wally Webb: The younger Webb child who died before the events of the play though appears amongst the dead souls.

George Gibbs: A well-mannered young man who hopes to attend Agricultural College after graduating high-school, George and Emily are in love and eventually marry.

Dr. Gibbs: The town doctor, father to George and private historian, neighbor to the Webbs.

Mrs. Gibbs: A dreamer who seeks to appreciate life, she is the mother of George and is married to Dr. Gibbs.

Rebecca Gibbs: The younger Gibbs child, inquisitive and thoughtful.

Sam Craig: A cousin of the Webb family who returns to town for the funeral.

Simon Stimson: The troubled choirmaster who is the subject of much local gossip, and eventually ends his life.

Mrs. Soames: The town gossip the Gibbs and Webbs know from the church choir, Mrs Soames will later appear as a soul in the graveyard.

Howie Newsome: The local milkman who appears at the Webb house every morning.

Joe Crowell Jr.: The local paperboy, who despite performing the same routine every day, is able to find joy in everyday life.

Si Crowell: Joe's younger brother who takes over the paper round.

Professor Willard: A local academic who provides a report on the town Grover's Corners, he interacts directly with the audience.

Joe Stoddard: An undertaker who reflects on the fleeting life of Emily.

Constable Warren: A local police officer.

ROMEO AND JULIET

Romeo: The emotional and impulsive son of Montague who falls in love with Juliet of the opposing house. He kills Juliet's cousin Tybalt, is exiled and because of a miscommunication takes his own life at the play’s conclusion.

Juliet: The intelligent daughter of Capulet, she resists the match her parents have in mind, instead falling for the forbidden Romeo. Despite careful planning, her plan to elope with Romeo falls apart, concluding with her own suicide.

Benvolio: The well-meaning friend of Romeo who's attempts to keep the peace fail.

Mercutio: The witty, troubled companion of Romeo who mocks his affectations. After stepping in to protect Romeo from Tybalt, he is killed, setting into motion the events of the play.

Friar Lawrence: A friend to both houses, Friar Lawrence provides counsel to the two lovers and eventually marries them, in the hopes it might bring sustained peace to Verona.

Friar John: Another Friar in Verona who is held up while sent to tell Romeo of Juliet's false death.

The Nurse: The wet-nurse to Juliet who despite her eccentricities cares deeply for Juliet and acts as a confidante and messenger between the two lovers.

Tybalt: The angry dog of Capulet, whose spoiling for a fight leaves him dead in the streets of Verona.

Lord Capulet: Lord of one of the two ruling houses of Verona, despite loving his daughter, this does not extend to listening to her thoughts on the match with Paris.

Lady Capulet: The mother of Juliet who is unable to connect emotionally with her daughter and imposes the match with Paris.

Paris: The suitor presented to Juliet by her parents, he pays her little attention, assuming the match to be a done deal, though is truly mournful at her death.

Lord Montague: Lord of one of the two ruling classes in Verona and rival of Capulet, who is concerned by his sons languishing in unrequited love.

The Prince: Prince of Verona, who seeks to keep the peace, and banishes Romeo.

Peter: A servant who invites Romeo to the Capulet feast. A bad singer.

The Apothecary: An apothecary who despite his discomfort, sells poison to Romeo.

Abram: A servant of Montague, who fights in the opening of the play.

Sampson & Gregory: Two servants of Capulet who fight at the opening of the play.

Balthasar: A servant who tells Romeo of the false news of Juliet's death.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Valentine: One of the titular gentlemen of Verona. Compadre to Proteus and Silvia's lover. After his plans to elope with Silvia are exposed, he is banished and becomes king of the outlaws.

Proteus: One of the titular gentlemen of Verona. Despite his initial affection for Silvia, upon arrival in Milan, falls in love with Silvia, and attempts to steal her from Valentine.

Julia: In love with Proteus, Julia takes on a disguise to journey to Milan. Upon arrival she does Proteus’ bidding and delivers a ring to his new lover Silvia.

Silvia: The daughter of the Duke of Milan, lover of Valentine. She escapes her father’s palace but is attacked by outlaws and abandoned by Sir Elgamour.

The Duke of Milan: Father to Silvia, he is set on her marrying the unappealing Sir Thurio. He is possessive of his daughter, banishing Valentine after hearing of the plot to elope.

Sir Thurio: The rich but unpleasant man the Duke would like to marry Silvia to.

Sir Elgamour: The seemingly gallant knight who assists Silvia in her escape, however when faced with the bandits, abandons Silvia.

Antonio: Father to Proteus.

Lucetta: Servant to Julia, a pragmatist in all things, she assists with the disguise.

Speed: A servant to Valentine, who assists Proteus as well, and is friends with Launce.

Launce: Servant to Proteus who loves his dog and is romantically engaged with a rich maid. A clown.

Panthino: Servant to Antonio.

Crab: Launce's dog.

Host: A woman who houses Julia in the search for her lover.

Outlaws: A group of bandits who decide to make Valentine their king.