Casting
Auditions and Submissions
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival seeks Equity and non-Equity performers for the 2026 Season.
The season includes Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentleman of Verona, and another play TBA. All actors will play multiple roles.
Please submit headshot, resume, and two (2) contrasting monologues (at least one Shakespeare) via unlisted YouTube link (or similar format) to ISFCasting@IllinoisState.edu by December 1, 2025.
Illinois State University Student Auditions
Student auditions have concluded for the 2025 ISF season including the Bard-in-a-Box tour.
All theatre majors enrolled and in good standing in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film at Illinois State University are able to participate.
Opportunities include:
- ISF General Auditions
- Bard in a Box–Educational tour with school performances of Romeo and Juliet directed by Emily Grimany, MFA directing.
- Sutter Scholarship–acting majors only. This scholarship, awarded based on audition, recognizes students with a high level of acting talent.
The Company
The Illinois Shakespeare Festival operates as a repertory company. Actors are contracted to play multiple roles in two or more of the season productions.
The Festival seeks a diverse company of actors who are passionate about working on Shakespearean texts and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge, energy, and talents with other artists and our audience. It is our goal to create a positive and supportive environment that fosters artistic excellence.
Contracts
Festival actors are contracted to play roles in up to three shows. ISF operates under an Actors' Equity U/RTA Tier II contract. All Equity and non-Equity positions are paid.