July 2 through August 16, 2025
Auditions
ANNOUNCING DOOR SHAKESPEARE’S 2025 SEASON GENERAL AUDITIONS
This is an open invitation from Door Shakespeare to submit for the 2025 Season. Door Shakespeare is seeking Equity actors, non-Equity actors, and emerging professionsals.
Door Shakespeare is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. We strongly encourage actors of all gender identities, ethnicities, races, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities to audition for any role.
THE 2025 SEASON
Door Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, adapted for the stage by Gale Childs Daly. The two shows will run in alternating repertory from July 2, 2025 to August 16, 2025. Shows are Monday through Saturday: weekdays at 7:30 and Saturdays at 5:00.
THE WORKPLACE
Door Shakespeare performs outdoors on a wooden stage abutting Lake Michigan in Björklunden, Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. The company is invested in safety and accessibility for all performers and, with that, wants everyone to know that workdays will involve outdoor rehearsal and performance in fluctuating temperature and weather conditions.
While Door County is a tourist destination known for its natural beauty, it does not have public transportation. During the 2025 season, company members need to arrange their own transportation to, and within, Door County.
Door Shakespeare is a COVID-19 vaccinated workplace.
AEA CONTRACTS
Equity actors’ work is governed by the AEA SPT 6+ agreement. We work up to 39 hours a week. The workday consists of 7 out of 8.5 hours. Please reach out to casting@doorshakespeare.com with any questions.
REMUNERATION
Non-Equity Contracts: $475/week
Equity Contracts: $600/week
Intern Cohort Contracts: $300/week
HOUSING
Housing is provided for all actors, and may be between 6 and 32 miles from the performance space.
Although we adore animals, Door Shakespeare is not able to accommodate companion animals in company housing.
AUDITIONS
UPDATE on 1.8.2025: Equity Principal Auditions are February 6 in 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 30, and end at 12:00 noon on February 5. Please bring your headshot and resume to auditions. Door Shakespeare is happy to see work from non-Equity actors as the schedule allows.
For additional information regarding EPAs, please visit Actors’ Equity Association.
Door Shakespeare will attend the Wisconsin Diversity Generals on February 17, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Next Act Theatre.
UPDATE on 12.23.2024: Due to a scheduling change for the Milwaukee General Auditions, Door Shakespeare will no longer be able to attend.
If you cannot attend one of the audition events in person: Headshots, resumes, and videos may be submitted to casting@doorshakespeare.com by 5 p.m., February 6, via unlisted (private) video link (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive).
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 at the top of each submission, and include all links in one email.
Monologue Submissions
- Please share a Shakespeare monologue and a contrasting classical or heightened language contemporary piece (ie. Sarah Ruhl, Benjamin Benne, Tennessee Williams, Chekhov, Ibsen, August Wilson, Brian Friel, Shaw, Lillian Hellman etc.). Dialects are not necessary for initial submissions, but may be asked for in callbacks.
- 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.
- Monologues do not have to be long: approximately one minute each would suffice. Please do not go over two minutes per monologue.
Song Submissions
- This season will include onstage acoustic music and songs performed by actors.
- Interested performers should submit 16–32 bars of folk or traditional music from any cultural tradition, although a musical theater piece is 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.
- Supplemental materials like singing and instrumental talents will not be held against anyone.
For both in-person and video auditions, please slate to introduce yourself and your piece(s).
Auditions will be viewed by Producing Artistic Director Amy Ensign.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please email casting@doorshakespeare.com with information regarding any accommodations you need in an audition, rehearsal, or performance space.
CALLBACKS
Callbacks will 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 a week, usually during the day. We move to evening hours for the week prior to opening. Sundays are the company day off.
Performances are Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Sunday is the company day off.
DATES FOR 2025
PREP WEEK: May 26
COMPANY ARRIVAL: June 1
FIRST REHEARSAL: June 2
PREVIEW: July 2
SEASON OPENS: July 4
SEASON CLOSES: on August 16
An ensemble of 9 actors and actor-musicians will play all roles. Specific tracks will reflect the skills and needs of the ensemble cast in both productions.
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