Chicago Shakespeare Theater
557 W Randolph St
1st Fl
Chicago, IL 60661
Artistic Director: Edward Hall
Expected to attend:
Casting Director: Bob Mason
Casting Associate: Alexis Taylor
See breakdown for production specific personnel.
See breakdown for production specific dates.
https://www.chicagoshakes.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.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (C)
Lunch 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
CAT
$1122.15 weekly minimum (CAT Tier 6)
$397.85 weekly minimum (CAT Tier 2 Outreach)
Equity actors for roles in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's CAT 2025-26 Seasons (See breakdown). All roles will be understudied.
As theater-makers, we are charged with engaging honestly and deeply in conversations about our humanity, and our inhumanity. Chicago Shakespeare Theater is deeply committed to welcoming artists, audience members, and staff of broadly diverse and intersectional identities, including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, ability, faith/belief tradition, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, socio-economic background, and nationality. Acknowledging the entrenched structural inequities around race in the American theater, we are especially focused on addressing equity and inclusion for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Prepare two pieces of your choice, not to exceed three minutes. This can be any mix of contemporary and classical or rap. You may substitute a Fats Waller-style song for one of your pieces. Please do not sing from the show. No a cappella. Bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist is provided. Also bring your headshot and resume stapled together.
While characters may be written on the binary, casting will be expanded to consider the entire range of the gender spectrum. Roles are open to all races and ethnicities and abilities unless specifically noted.
DIRECTOR: CHRISTOPHER LLEWYN RAMIREZ
CAT Tier 2
PUCK. (ROLE HAS BEEN CAST) 20s. Any gender or ethnicity. An irrepressible sprite.
EGEUS/QUINCE/OBERON. Male-identifying. 40s. Hermia's father/stage manager of Pyramus and Thisbe/King of the fairies--Titania's quarrelsome and vengeful lover.
TITANIA/STARVELING. Female-identifying or non-binary. 30s to 40s. Sexy and bewitching Queen of the fairies, drugged to fall in love with an ass.
THESEUS/BOTTOM. (ROLE HAS BEEN CAST) Lord of the people/a ham-handed actor.
HELENA/SNOUT. (ROLE HAS BEEN CAST) 20s. Female-identifying. Put-upon and scorned young lover. Tall in stature/the tinker who plays Wall.
HERMIA/SNUG. (ROLE HAS BEEN CAST) 20s. Lysander's sweet love who can be a tiger when provoked. Small in stature.
LYSANDER. 20s, Male-identifying. Hermia's love who gets drugged by Puck to fall in love with Helena.
DEMETRIOS/FLUTE. 20s. In love but rebuffed by Hermia. Once dated Helena/Pyramus' tragic love in Pyramus and Thisbe. Greatly enjoys the experience.
Tech begins: 7/08/2025
First performance: 7/10/2025
Closes: 8/10/2025
CIRCUS ABYSSINIA is not being cast by Chicago Shakespeare.
Producers: Chicago Shakespeare Theater by special arrangement with Joey Parnes, Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey
Created by Richard Maltby, Jr
Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz
Music & Lyrics: Fats Waller and other various composers and lyricists
Co-Directors: Richard Maltby, Jr. and André de Shields
Musical direction by Mathis Picard
Original Choreography by Arthur Faria
Choreography by Mayte Natalio
NY Casting Directors: Tara Rubin Casting / Merri Sugarman, CSA & Kevin Metzger-Timson, CSA
NY Casting Associate: Olivia Paige West, CSA
Chicago Casting Director: Bob Mason
Chicago Casting Associate: Alexis Taylor
CAT 6
Contract begins: 7/28/2025
First preview: 9/3/2025
Opens: 9/10/2025
Closes: 9/28/2025
SYNOPSIS: AINT MISBEHAVIN' is a musical revue that might have occurred on a stage in one of the great Harlem nightclubs in the 1920s or 1930's. An abandoned nightclub seems to come alive with a show that not only celebrates the great artists who performed in these clubs and the great artists who wrote the history-changing songs of that period, but also conjures up the immense over-the-top, bigger-than-life personality of composer, comedian, and recording artist Fats Waller. By the time the show ends, the audience feels they have spent an evening in the presence of this musical and comic genius, even though he never appears on stage. In a sense, it takes all five performers to recreate Fats Waller, each one being a different aspect of his personality.
We are seeking performers with real personalities, larger-than-life elegance, style and wit, all masking a heart-breaking vulnerability. Also seeking understudies for all roles. All are Black singer/movers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. While there is only one real dance number in the show, the show is actually danced from start to finish. Movement is essential.
ARMELIA. Female-presenting. Seems almost like a creature from another planet: high make-up, shimmering hair, lace dress sparkling with rhinestones (a dress suitable for both a Saturday night out and for church the next morning). Elegant, rhythmic, she is a large woman but proud of it and almost defiantly beautiful. JAZZ BELTER, BUT ALSO PURE SOPRANO; SHE HAS THE TOP NOTES IN ENSEMBLE NUMBERS.
NELL. Female-presenting. An extraordinary-looking woman in high make-up, a rose-colored lace dress, marcelled hair with a rhinestone clip – tougher and sassier than ARMELIA, but with the same bigger-than-life elegance, style and wit, all masking a heart-breaking vulnerability. NELL HAS A SPECTACULAR UNIQUE VOICE, AND A SENSE OF COMEDY THAT IS ALL HER OWN. DON’T BELIEVE ANYTHING SHE SAYS.
ANDRE. Male-presenting. A flashy street-smart operator, turned out in a perfect suit, snappy shoes, bowler hat, and a nearly tasteful collection of rhinestone accents. This may be the only suit he owns, but every detail is elegant and meticulous. He has a unique personality, he is unpredictable, hard to pin down. It was always our fantasy that no one ever knows where ANDRE lives. After midnight he inhabits the world of THE VIPER.
DIRECTOR: Q BROTHERS COLLECTIVE
CAT Tier 6
TEN ADULT ACTORS. 20s to 40s. OF ANY ETHNICITY, GENDER AND RACE. VERY SKILLED WITH LANGUAGE AND RAP. TO PLAY MULTIPLE ROLES. ROLES MAY BE CROSS-GENDERED. CONSIDER GENDER OPEN FOR ALL ROLES.
TRACK 1: Caesar/Octavius
TRACK 2: Brutus/Chuck D
TRACK 3: Cassius (Cash)/Soothy Sue
TRACK 4: Tone. Caesar's defender
TRACK 5: Purny/Caesar's wife
TRACK 6: Lucy/Anne Marellus. Intern who joins with Octavius
TRACK 7: Tre Bone/Billy. Security guard who later plays the final intern
TRACK 8: Casca/TV Reporter. A female senator/announcer
TRACK 9: Flavius/Flac/C-Pimp. TV Host/Senator
TRACK 10: DJ/Cicero/Meta World War Three. A Senator
AUTHOR: LEVI HOLLOWAY
DIRECTOR: FELIX BARRETT (AD OF PUNCHDRUNK)
CAT Tier 6
JAMES. MALE. 30s. AN AMERICAN. HUSBAND OF LOU. RUNNING FROM SOMETHING HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND.
LOU. FEMALE. 30s. AMERICAN. WIFE OF JAMES. EXPERIENCES LOST TIME SHE CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR.
CAROLANNE. FEMALE. 50s TO 60s. JAMES' OVERBEARING MOTHER. DR. JEKYLL AND MRS. HYDE.
ETHILINE COTGRAVE. FEMALE. 50s. BRITISH. A MEDIUM OF SPIRITUALISM.
DIRECTOR: SELINA CALDWELL
CAT Tier 6
BEATRICE. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S. BEATRICE'S NIECE. A QUICK WIT AND A RAZOR TONGUE. IN PERPETUAL BATTLE WITH BENEDICK.
BENEDICK. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S.
LEONATO. MALE-IDENTIFYING, 60S TO 70S. GOVERNOR OF MESSINA. HERO'S FATHER.
ANTONIO. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 60S. LEONATO'S BROTHER
DON PEDRO. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S. PRINCE OF ARAGON. A NOBLEMAN.
DON JOHN. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S. DON PEDRO'S VILLAINOUS AND BASTARD BROTHER. CONSPIRES TO BRING SHAME TO HERO TO SPITE DON PEDRO.
HERO. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S TO 30S. BEATRICE'S COUSIN AND LEONATO'S DAUGHTER. FALSELY ACCUSED OF PROMISCUITY.
CLAUDIO. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S TO 30S. A COMRADE OF BENEDICK. HERO'S BETROTHED. TRICKED INTO THINKING HERO HAS CHEATED ON HIM AND SO PUBLICLY HUMILIATES HER.
DOGBERRY. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 60S. A SELF-SATISFIED NIGHT CONSTABLE, WITH AN INFLATED SENSE OF HIS OWN IMPORTANCE AS THE LEADER OF A GROUP OF BUMBLING WATCHMEN.
CONRADE. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S TO 40S. A MINION OF DON JOHN'S INVOLVED IN SLANDERING HERO. CUNNING AND DECEITFUL.
BORACHIO. SAME AS CONRADE.
VERGES. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 60S TO 70S. DOGBERRY'S DEPUTY. DESCRIBED AS AN OLD MAN.
FRIAR FRANCIS. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S. PERFORMS WEDDING OF HERO AND CLAUDIO AND IS FIRST TO SUSPECT HERO HAS BEEN SLANDERED.
MARGARET. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 30S TO 40S. FUN AND FLIRTATIOUS GENTLEWOMAN OF HERO. IS UNWITTINGLY USED BY CONRADE TO TARGET HERO AS UNFAITHFUL.
URSULA. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S TO 50S. A GENTLEWOMAN OF HERO.
BALTHASAR. ANY GENDER. 20S TO 50S. A MUSICIAN AND SERVANT IN LEONATO'S COURT.
TECH BEGINS: 2/03/2026
FIRST PERFORMANCE: 2/10/2026
CLOSES: 3/8/2026
HAMNET IS NOT BEING CAST BY CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER.
DIRECTOR: PHILLIP BREEN
CAT Tier 6
ANY RACE AND ETHNICITY WELCOME FOR ALL ROLES.
FALSTAFF. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S. A WHALE OF A MAN. LECHEROUS WITH NO MORAL COMPASS.
MISTRESS FORD. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 50S. THE MORE GLAMOROUS AND ADVENTUROUS OF THE TWO WIVES. SHE HAS NO CHILDREN SO HAS NO TIME ON HER HANDS.
MASTER FORD. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 50S. INSANELY AND UNREASONABLY JEALOUS.
MISTRESS PAGE. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 50S. MORE STAID AND UPTIGHT.
MASTER PAGE. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 50S. WELL-MEANING, A BIT OF A BORE. QUITE SLOW ON THE UPTAKE. IS BEWILDERED AT THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE ELSE WOULD WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH HIS WIFE.
MISTRESS QUICKLY. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S. HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH FALSTAFF. HAS GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.
ANNE PAGE. FEMALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S. SMART AND SHREWD. A YOUNG LADY ON THE CUSP OF ADULTHOOD. BOTH SENSIBLE AND HEARTBREAKING. HER INHERITED WEALTH ATTRACTS A LOT OF FLIES.
FENTON. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S. A SEXY UPPER-CLASS OUTSIDER AND ANNE'S PREFERENCE OF SUITOR.
SLENDER. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S.
SIR HUGH EVANS. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S.
DOCTOR CAIUS. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 40S TO 60S. A FRENCH DOCTOR. NEEDS TO BE A REALISTIC SUITOR FOR ANNE. HE IS A SADISTIC DENTIST AND OLYMPIC LEVEL FENCER.
BARDOLPH. MALE-IDENTIFYING. A DRUNK MONGREL HOUND. LOTS OF FALLING OVER.
NYM. ANY GENDER. AIR OF GENUINE DANGER.
PISTOL. ANY GENDER. LONDON SCUMBAG. TATTOOS AND MISSING TEETH.
JOHN RUGBY. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 20S. ATHLETIC. PHYSICAL.
SIMPLE. MALE-IDENTIFYING. LATE TEENS TO 20S. COUNTRY BUMPKIN FROM GLOUCESTER. FRIEND AND SERVANT TO SLENDER. THICK AS MINCE, BUT ADORABLE.
HOST OF THE GARTER INN. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 50S TO 60S. AT THE CENTER OF THE GULLING AND IS EVENTUALLY GULLED BACK.
SHALLOW. MALE-IDENTIFYING. 60S AND UP. RANDY OLD DOG. A CAROUSER.
AUTHORS: JACOB RAJAN AND JUSTIN LEWIS (INDIAN INK THEATRE COMPANY)
LOAD-IN: 04/06/2026
FIRST PERFORMANCE: 4/07/2026
CLOSING: 04/26/2026
MRS. KRISHNAN'S PARTY IS NOT BEING CAST BY CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER.
a New Play with Music
Written by Ashley Robinson
Songs by Dan Gillespie Sells
Based on Annie Proulx's Short Story
CAT Tier 6
Older Ennis. Male. 68.
Ennis Del Mar. Male. 18-38. At 18, a rough-mannered and rough-spoken high school dropout. Muscular and supple, made for the horse and fighting. Not much of a talker.
Jack Twist. Male. 18-38. At 18, also, a rough-mannered high school dropout. Has a quick laugh. Buckteeth. His boots worn to the quick, holed beyond repair. Feels alive when riding the bulls.
Joe Aquirre/Bill/Jack's Father. Male. 40s to 60s. JOE AGUIRRE is an imposing man. Gruff and shoots from the hip.
Alma/Lureen/Waitress. 20s to 30s. ALMA is Ennis' wife.
Balladeer/Jack's Mother. 60s.
Videos
