Shakespeare & Company announces its 2026 Season Equity Principle Auditions in Lenox, MA. on Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31.
Actors sought for 2026 LORT D season in Lenox, Massachusetts.
$889.00/week, contracts pending:
- Twelfth Night (performed outdoors): 1st rehearsal 6/2, 1st preview 7/4, close 7/26;
- Hamlet: 1st rehearsal 7/21, 1st preview 8/13, close 8/30;
- Shake It Up: 1st rehearsal 7/28, 1st preview 7/29, close 8/2;
* Some Twelfth Night actors will also perform in Hamlet.
At the auditions: Producing Associate, Ariel Bock and/or Artistic Director, Allyn Burrows.
Other Personnel: General Manager, Stephen Ball
Audition Dates & Times: LORT auditions will be Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31 from 10-1:30 and 2:15-5:45 each day, by appointment; walk-ups and non-Equity applicants will be seen as time permits.
For Appointments:
- Equity actors may visit this link – signupgenius.com/go/5080544A9AE2FABF49-61642184-lort – to schedule an audition, or leave questions at jobsearch@shakespeare.org (preferred) or 413.637.1199 x.140.
- Non-Equity actors may visit this link to sign up for a waiting list – signupgenius.com/go/5080544A9AE2FABF49-61644170-nonequity, or leave questions at jobsearch@shakespeare.org (preferred) or 413.637.1199 x.140. Non-equity actors will be contacted via email a few days prior to the audition dates with best times.
For the Auditions: Prepare one short classical / Shakespearean monologue. You may also be asked to perform one short contemporary monologue; bring resume and headshot stapled together to your audition appointment. Equity Members must bring their Equity Membership card to auditions.
Available roles and *pre-cast roles: All roles that are listed as “pre-cast” have been cast without auditions; for *pre-cast roles, auditioning performers will be considered as possible replacements, should any become necessary.
Twelfth Night: 6/2-7/26, LORT D at $889.00/week, rehearsed and performed outdoors in the Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre. We welcome actors with physical skills and stamina for this outdoor production. Some of the actors in Twelfth Night will also be cast in Hamlet.
- Orsino & as cast: 40/50’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, noble, trustworthy, kind, imaginative, romantic
- Sebastian & as cast: 30/40, male presenting, any ethnicity, quick-witted, adventurous, a good fighter
- Toby Belch & as cast: 40/50’s, any gender, any ethnicity, hot-tempered, cheerful, drunkard, mischievous
- Andrew Aguecheek & as cast: 30/40’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, foolish, vain, inept
- *Malvolio & as cast: 60’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, pompous, long-winded, condescending (pre-cast*)
- *Olivia & as cast: 30/40’s, female presenting, any ethnicity, grief-stricken, decisive, assertive, vulnerable (pre-cast*)
- *Viola & as cast: 30s, female presenting, any ethnicity, self-reliant, witty, intelligent (pre-cast*)
- Maria & as cast: 40/50’s, female presenting, any ethnicity, friendly, witty, fun-loving, competent
- Feste & as cast: 30/50’s, any gender, any ethnicity, independent, witty fool, musical, fiddle-playing a plus
Hamlet: 7/21-8/30, LORT D at $889.00/week, rehearsed and performed indoors in the Tina Packer Playhouse. Some of the actors in Hamlet will also be cast in Twelfth Night.
- Claudius & as cast: 50/60’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, ambitious, powerful, capable, genial
- *Hamlet: 30s, male presenting, any ethnicity, intelligent, witty, unstable, conflicted, emotional (pre-cast*)
- *Polonius & as cast: 60/70’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, sincere, fatherly, foolish, busy-body, garrulous (pre-cast*)
- Horatio & as cast: 30’s, any gender, any ethnicity, intelligent, faithful friend
- Laertes & as cast: 30’s, male presenting, any ethnicity, brotherly, hot-headed, loyal, stage fighting skills a plus
- Gertrude & as cast: 50/60’s, she/her, any ethnicity, noble, powerful, loving, practical, compassionate
- Ophelia & as cast: 30’s, she/her, any ethnicity, vulnerable, obedient, loving
- Rosencrantz & as cast: 30’s, any gender, any ethnicity, courtier, unfaithful, sycophant
Shake It Up: 7/28-8/2, LORT D at $889.00/week, rehearsed and performed indoors in the Tina Packer Playhouse. We welcome actors with singing and/or other musical ability for this production.
- *Actor 1: 20’s, she/her (pre-cast*)
- *Actor 2: 20’s, he/him (pre-cast*)
- *Actor 3: 30/40s, she/her (pre-cast*)
- *Actor 4: 30/40’s, he/him (pre-cast*)
- *Actor 5: 50’s, she/her (pre-cast*)
Shakespeare & Company is committed to the principles of equal employment and to providing equal employment opportunities. It is our intent to maintain an inclusive work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation on the basis of sex, gender, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, military service, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Equity 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.