Auditions

2026-27 Season General Auditions

Equity/Non-Union

IN PERSON AUDITIONS
July 20 – 22, 2026
9:00am to 5:00pm
(Lunch 1:00pm to 2:00pm)
at
Actors’ Equity Association
557 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661 

DIGITAL AUDITION SUBMISSIONS
DEADLINE: Midnight the evening of Friday, July 24, 2026.
See INSTRUCTIONS Section below for submission details. 

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in A Red Orchid Theatre’s 2026 – 2027 Season (see breakdown).

Actors of all ages, identities, ethnicities, and genders, as well as artists with disabilities are encouraged to audition.

All roles will be understudied.

INSTRUCTIONS/PREPARATION FOR IN-PERSON AUDITION

Please prepare one (1) contemporary monologue no more than two (2) minutes in length. We may or may not ask you for 2nd monologue if needed or as time permits.

Please bring a headshot and resume stapled together.

If you are unable to attend these in-person auditions, you may submit a digital audition. See breakdown for instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS/PREPARATION FOR DIGITAL AUDITION SUBMISSION

Please submit your headshot, resume and digital audition via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/mr44wdG7fVnhjF7Z8

Please prepare and self-tape one (1) contemporary monologue no more than two (2) minutes in length.

Self-tapes should be submitted as links. YouTube Unlisted Links or Vimeo Links are preferred. Please make sure anyone with the link may view. Self-tapes submitted with passwords or other restrictions may not be considered.

No emailed self-tapes, please.

The DEADLINE for self-tapes: Midnight the evening of Friday, July 24, 2026.

PERSONNEL

dado, Director of TBA SHOW #1
Terry Guest, Director of SHOW #2
Shade Murray, Director of TBA SHOW #3

Expected to attend:
Kirsten Fitzgerald, Artistic Director
Kyle Stoffers, Casting Director

BREAKDOWNS

TBA SHOW #1 – World Premiere
Directed by Ensemble Member dado
First Rehearsal: September 29, 2026
First Preview: October 29, 2026
Closing: December 6, 2026

SEEKING:

  • CHARACTER 1 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, 50s, Mother
  • CHARACTER 2 – 30-40s, Daughter
  • CHARACTER 3 – 40-50s, Local

TBA SHOW #2 – Chicago Premiere
Directed by Terry Guest
First Rehearsal: January 5, 2027
First Preview: February 4, 2027
Closing: March 14, 2027


SEEKING:
  • CHARACTER 1 – they/them, 20. The star. Our MC. Swinging wildly between pissed, sweet, and mystical, maybe mythical. Sometimes in control of the narrative, sometimes being swept away by the story. An emerging drag performer moonlighting as a barback at the local hole-in-the-wall gay bar downtown.
  • CHARACTER 2 – he/him, 40s-50s. Father. The earth. Clumsily making his way through this world. A terminal diagnosis brings out a complicated core of wants and desires and regrets. He’s been stuck in an office with fluorescent lights overhead and has never felt much of a purpose… until now.
  • CHARACTER 3 – she/her, 40s-50s. Mother. The space between. Slightly neurotic and easy to get riled up, she wants with all her might to spend her last days with her husband, alone in a bed with their child by their side. A bit of “I’d like to speak to the manager” energy. A bit of a ferocious tornado, ready to protect her family, wondering how the fuck she can fix this.
  • CHARACTER 4 – she/her, 20s-30s. Sister, a high-maintenance yoga gal, who’s the center of her own universe. But she’s ride-or-die for family and can be a surprisingly great listener. Doubles as: Ensemble A & others.
  • CHARACTER 5 – he/him, 20s-30s. Good-natured and well-meaning, but uncomfortable in social situations and too smart for his own good. M’s boyfriend. Doubles as: Ensemble B & others.
  • CHARACTER 6 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, she/her, 60s. Dealing with her wife’s cancer diagnosis by at times lashing out, at times being the best older sister you could ever hope for. Blue collar. Doubles as: Ensemble C & others.

TBA SHOW #3 – World Premiere
Adaptation by Ensemble Members Steve Haggard and Shade Murray
Directed by Shade Murray
First Rehearsal: April 6, 2027
First Preview: May 6, 2027
Closing: June 13, 2027


SEEKING:
  • CHARACTER 1 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, male presenting, late 30s-40s, Former pastor and last in the long line of an influential and wealthy family
  • CHARACTER 2 – Female presenting 20s -30s, Lives at the estate, Aide to the late wife of CHARACTER 1, Grounded, Quick, Self-aware
  • CHARACTER 3 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, Male presenting 30s- late 40s, Businessman, Lifelong friend of CHARACTER 1, Self-assured, Charming, Privileged
  • CHARACTER 4 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, Female presenting, 50s- 60s, Longtime housekeeper of CHARACTER 1, Traditional, Superstitious, Knowing
  • CHARACTER 5 – Male presenting 50s- 60s, Former tutor of CHARACTER 1, Provocative, Quick-witted, Self-destructive
  • CHARACTER 6 – ALREADY CAST, SEEKING UNDERSTUDY, Male presenting, 30s-50s, Editor of an influential tabloid, Vengeful, Driven, Calculating
  • Also Seeking ENSEMBLE (2) – 20s-50s, members of the household and community

— 

NOTES: 

An Equity monitor will be provided.

EPA Procedures are in effect for audition.

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.