July 1 through August 22, 2026
Auditions
DOOR SHAKESPEARE’S 2026 SEASON GENERAL AUDITIONS
Door Shakespeare seeks Equity actors, non-union actors, and emerging professionals for the 2026 season.
Door Shakespeare is strongly committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all employees. We encourage actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities to audition for any role.
THE 2026 SEASON
Door Shakespeare will present two productions in alternating repertory from July 1, 2026, to August 22, 2026. Performances run Monday through Saturday, weekdays at 7:30 and Saturdays at 5:00. Rehearsals begin June 1, with prep week beginning May 25.
THE WORKPLACE
Door Shakespeare performs under the canopy of a Door County maple tree approximately 200 yards from Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. Rehearsals and performances take place outdoors in fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions.
TRANSPORTATION
While Door County is a tourist destination known for its natural beauty, it does not have public transportation. During the 2026 season, company members will need to arrange their own transportation to, from, and within Door County.
HOUSING
Housing is provided for all out-of-town actors, and may be between 6 and 32 miles from the performance space.
Door Shakespeare is not able to accommodate companion animals in company housing.
CONTRACTS
Door Shakespeare offers four types of acting contracts for the 2026 season:
- AEA SPT 6 – Work governed by the Actors’ Equity Association SPT 6 agreement.
- Non-Equity – Standard non-union acting contract to perform in both productions, $475/week.
- Acting and Administrative Hybrid – Actors may be cast in one production while taking on additional responsibilities such as understudying the other production, working in the box office or front of house, or serving as a Teaching Artist in Camp Will. Compensation is adjusted accordingly.
- Intern Cohort – Opportunities for emerging professionals to gain experience both on stage and in other areas of the company; $300/week.
AUDITIONS
EQUITY PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
EPAs are scheduled for January 14, 2026, at the Chicago Equity Office (557 West Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois 60661) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members may access the online EPA sign-up through the member portal. Online sign-up will begin at 12:00 noon on January 7, 2026, and end at 12:00 noon on January 13, 2026. Please bring a headshot and resume to auditions. Non-Equity actors are welcome to drop in and will be seen on a first-come first-served basis as the schedule allows. We typically have time to see everyone who drops in.
For additional information regarding EPAs, please visit Actors’ Equity Association.
DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS
Actors may submit digital audition materials to Door Shakespeare for one of two opportunities: consideration for invited auditions in Chicago on January 15, or general casting consideration for the 2026 season.
1. Consideration for Chicago Invited Auditions (Jan 15, 2026) at the Chicago Equity Office (557 West Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois 60661) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Invitations will be offered after the casting team reviews initial audition material.
- Headshots, resumes, and digital auditions may be sent to casting@doorshakespeare.com. Videos should be submitted via unlisted or private link (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive) by 5 p.m., January 7, 2026 to be considered for an in-person invited audition.
- In the email accompanying your submission, please indicate your availability and interest in attending the Chicago session.
2. General Casting Consideration
- Actors unable to attend the Chicago auditions may submit a video to be considered for roles in the 2026 season.
- Headshots, resumes, and digital auditions may be sent to casting@doorshakespeare.com. Videos should be submitted via unlisted or private link (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive) by 5 p.m., January 14, 2026.
GENERAL AUDITIONS
Door Shakespeare will attend the 2026 Wisconsin Diversity Generals and the Milwaukee General Auditions; dates TBD.
DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS
- Please submit two contrasting monologues and a song. One monologue should be Shakespeare. For the second monologue, a contrasting classical or heightened language piece of any period is requested. See Audition Material below for full details.
All resumes will be reviewed. Due to the volume of materials received, we cannot guarantee that every digital submission will be seen. Reels are happily accepted. Individual pieces may be edited together or submitted separately. If submitted separately, please slate your name and audition piece at the top of each submission, and include all links in one email.
AUDITION MATERIAL
Monologue Submissions
- Please share a Shakespeare monologue and a contrasting classical or heightened language piece.
- We are particularly interested in strong characters and active choices based on truth, with a clarity of language and text. We are looking for range and vocal technique.
- Please do not exceed three minutes combined.
Song Submissions
- This season will include onstage acoustic music and songs performed by actors.
- Interested performers should submit 16–32 bars of music from any cultural tradition. Musical theater pieces are also welcome.
- If you are able to self-accompany on a portable instrument, please do so.
- Multi-instrumentalists are encouraged to submit videos showing aptitude with 16–32 bars played on as many instruments as they competently play. We welcome the submission of music reels.
- Please keep digital submissions to under 5 minutes (combined music and monologues) for musicians. Reels of any length are welcome but may not be viewed in their entirety.
For both in-person and video auditions, please slate by introducing yourself and your piece(s).
CALLBACKS
Digital callbacks may be scheduled in February. You will be notified if you are called back, and information will be given at that time. Please be sure to provide correct contact info on your headshot and resume so we can reach you.
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Rehearsals are six days per week, usually during the day, shifting to evening hours during the week prior to opening.
Performances run Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
THE COMPANY
An ensemble of 9-12 actors and actor-musicians will play all roles. Specific tracks will reflect the skills and needs of the ensemble cast in both productions. Ensemble members may be cast in one show or both shows. Additional opportunities are available to understudy, work in the box office, front of house, or as teaching artists for Camp Will.
COVID SAFETY
Door Shakespeare is a COVID-19 vaccinated workplace. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including the most recently available booster, is required for employment.
CONTACT
casting@doorshakespeare.com
Door Shakespeare
PO Box 351
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Performance Venue: Björklunden, 7590 Boynton Ln., Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Thank you for your interest in Door Shakespeare!