Seattle Shakespeare General Auditions Season 22-23

About the project and the company

Seattle Shakespeare Company invites in-person auditions from actors of all identities who reside in our local Puget Sound community who are interested in being considered for all shows being produced in the coming year (Fall 2022-Summer 2023).

At Seattle Shakespeare we believe it is important to fully represent our community onstage so that these classic texts can speak to everyone. To do so, we strive to bring together diverse performers working from their full, authentic selves and operating at the top of their craft. As a Seattle-based company, we prioritize the local cultural ecology and local artists in our work.

Following health & safety guildelines, we will be rehearsing in-person and performing live in our home indoor venue at The Armory, as well as touring to outdoor, community, and educational venues throughout Washington state.

Seattle Shakespeare Company holds rehearsals during the day, historically between the hours of 10a-6p. We are working to develop an anti-oppressive work schedule and are currently using a 5-day work-week model, expecting to learn more and respond to the specific needs of our community throughout the year. We will offer space to inform us of your access needs on our audition form and pre-contract intake.

Seattle Shakespeare Company’s 2022-2023 show line-up:
(ALL DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

CASTING  EXPECTATIONS

While there are standard names and descriptions of Shakespeare’s characters, the stated attributes from the original text (including gender, age, race, ability, and other identity expressions) do not prescribe how we will cast the productions. It is also likely that additional doubling or cutting of characters may happen as part of the creative conception of the production.

Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Directed by John Langs
Featuring Reginald André Jackson

1^stRehearsal: September 27, 2022
Run: October 25-November 20, 2022

Performed at the Center Theatre

Drum & Colors: Henry IV
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sophie Franco

Workshop TBD (week of Jan 8th)
1^stRehearsal: February 14, 2022
Run: March 14-April 9, 2023

Performed at the Center Theatre

EDUCATIONAL TOUR: Julius Caesar & Romeo + Juliet
Directed by Sunam Ellis & Makaela Milburn

1^stRehearsal: January 23, 2023
Run: March 22 – June 4, 2023

Performed across Washington State (some bookings require overnight stays)

Twelfth Night
A musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub
Music and lyrics by Shaina Taub
Directed by Ruben Van Kempen

1st Rehearsal: Approx. March 22, 2022
Run: April 25-May 21, 2023

Performed at the Center Theatre

WOODEN O
2 Outdoor Touring Shows TBD

1st rehearsal: June 5, 2023
Run: July 6- August 6, 2023

Performed at outdoor venues & parks throughout the Puget Sound area

Location of Audition

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in lower Queen Anne. You will receive further details upon confirmation of your audition appointment. ^^COVID SAFETY NOTICES^^ Everyone entering the audition venue will be required to undergo a symptom check and provide proof of vaccination before entering. Two-ply cloth face masks, surgical masks, singer's masks and respirators (N95, KN95, KF94) only will be allowed for face coverings.Single-ply face masks, gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.Everyone in the holding room and audition room will always wear a face covering as described above, except for the actor when they are actively auditioning. The time spent unmasked should be as minimal as possible. Face coverings must be worn correctly (covering the nose and mouth). If the risk level for King County is trending upwards and may rise to High (Orange) we will contact members with appointments at least 48 hours before the first audition appointment time to let them know there is a chance that the auditions may need to be postponed or cancelled. All members with appointments will be notified at least 24 hours in advance if the auditions must be postponed or cancelled. Our holding space is in a covered outdoor area, though we ask that you maintain masking in this environment. The maximum number of people allowed in the audition room (3,500 sq ft), per fire code, is 100 maximum occupancy.

Other details

If you have direct inquiries about our upcoming shows or casting process, please email casting@seattleshakespeare.org — or, if you prefer, you are welcome to reach out to our Diversity Programming Coordinator, Lamar Legend (lamarl@seattleshakespeare.org).

Audition requirements

Please prepare a piece of Shakespeare that you connect with and that reveals something about your interest & potential as a performer of classical material. It should be no longer that 1 minute in length. We will ask you to share a headshot (or other current picture) and resume (or other written account of experience & education)—ideally these would be paired in one file. If you do not have the resources currently available to share these materials in this way, please reach out to us so that we can find another way to receive your work and consider you for upcoming shows.