auditions

SF SHAKES SEASON 2025 AUDITION  NOTICE
**We are still reeling with the devastating news from Cal Shakes and we know you are too. But we also want to get the audition information out to our folks as timely as we can.**

Every year we hold casting auditions for two of our flagship programs – Free Shakespeare in the Park and Shakespeare on Tour.

This year, we are partnering again with Marin Shakespeare Company, SPARC, and Vallejo Shakespeare to hold group general auditions in the East Bay: one audition slot, one location, and multiple companies. Last year was our first year offering joint auditions, and in response to demand we have added additional audition slots and are actively managing a wait list in anticipation of being able to accommodate walk ups. However, we recognize that we will not be able to see everyone who wishes to audition on these two days; please know SF Shakes will attend the Theatre Bay Area general auditions in February, 2025.

We believe that representation matters, on and offstage. We actively recruit under-represented candidates for all roles and positions within the organization. We believe that a diverse organization is a better organization and that the art itself is greatly improved by collaboration among people with different backgrounds and perspectives.  As such, we greatly encourage BIPOC, LGBTQiA+, gender non-conforming, and disabled people to audition.

Our current policy is to cast each production with at least 60% artists of color and at least 60% artists who identify as female, non-binary, genderqueer or trans. We recognize that these policies are not inclusive of all types of differences among people and continue to work toward wider representation.

Our policy is to cast each production with at least 60% artists of color and at least 60% artists who identify as female, non-binary, genderqueer or trans. We recognize that these policies are not inclusive of all types of difference among people and continue to work toward wider representation.

We strive towards a more equitable, just, and anti-racist organization by:
– Rehearsing 5 days a week instead of 6
– We no longer schedule 10/12s
– We pay our non-AEA actors the same rate as AEA actors (SF Shakes follows LORT- D AEA work rules). Compensation for Free Shakespeare in the Park and Shakespeare on Tour is $19.02/hr, based on 2024 rate.

Auditions for these programs are:
– Sunday, October 20: 10 am- 7 pm (non-AEA, AEA able to sign up)
– Monday, October 21:  9 am-5 pm AEA day *non-AEA folk are also allowed to walk in on this day if time permits.
At this time we are not accepting video submissions.

To audition:
1. Fill out the General Shakespeare Audition Form
2. Sign up for a time that works for you on Sign-Up Genius (the link is embedded in the Google Form*). Please prepare a two-minute Shakespeare monologue for auditions. If there are no available time slots, sign up for the waitlist within the Google Form.
3. Send your headshot and resume to: auditions@sfshakes.org
4. Prepare a 2-minute Shakespeare Monologue or two contrasting 1-minute monologues.

*Please note there has been a recent change in Google Form that prevents uploading of attachments if you do not have a Google account; in order to ensure the audition registration is accessible to those without Google accounts and conforms to AEA rules, the additional step of emailing headshot and resume is necessary at this time.