Shedd Theatricals OPEN AUDITION
March 2, 2024
The Shedd Institute will conduct Open Theatricals Auditions on Saturday March 2, 9:00 am to 5 pm (required dance call at 1 pm). Auditions are by APPOINTMENT ONLY through The Shedd online form here. Auditioners will be considered for roles in the following 2024 Shedd Theatricals productions:
  • Girl Crazy GIRL CRAZY (July 12-21, 2024 - rehearsals begin Jun 5) Direction by Heidi Turnquist; Music Direction by Robert Ashens; [Most roles available.]
  • Hello Dolly HELLO, DOLLY! (Sep 27-Oct 6, 2024 - rehearsals begin August 14) Direction by Kirk Boyd; Music Direction by Robert Ashens; Choreography by Richard Jessup. [Most roles available.]
  • Oliver! OLIVER! (Nov 29-Dec 15, 2024 - rehearsals begin Oct 23) Direction by Erica Towe; Music Direction by Robert Ashens. Choreography by Isabella Willis [Most roles available.]
There are lead, supporting, and ensemble roles with stipends for men and women in all three productions. There are supporting roles for children (aged 6 and up) in OLIVER! and HELLO, DOLLY. Experience in acting, singing and dancing classic musical comedy and musical theatre is essential.
SHEDD CASTING: The Shedd Institute assesses actors for its musical theatre productions on an ongoing basis, and often casts by invitation. [For more details on Shedd casting protocols at the bottom of this page.]
REHEARSALS: Rehearsals for all Shedd Institute productions run 6 days per week: Mon-Fri 6-10:30 pm and Sun 5:30-10:30 pm. Saturdays and major holidays are off. Actors are not scheduled every day, but must be available as needed throughout the production. Schedules are posted weekly, 1 week in advance. A limited number of pre-planned absences are permitted subject to the approval of the production manager.
IN-PERSON OPEN AUDITION PROCEDURE: In-Person auditions are preferred and advised. Please follow the steps below to schedule your audition time.
   Prepare (a) a short memorized monologue that demonstrates your acting ability and (b) a song selection from the classic period of musical comedy and musical theatre (1920-60) that demonstrates your skills as a singer. We strongly recommend that you DO NOT prepare a song from a more recent period, and that you choose an arrangement that is in a classical musical comedy/musical theatre style. You must sing using the Shedd's audition accompanist, so bring music. Your monologue and song selection must each be no more than 1 minute. Do not prepare your monologue or choose a song from the shows in The Shedd's immediate production schedule. If you are asked to attend a dance audition (it would be held on the same day as your acting/singing audition), make sure to bring appropriate dance shoes and attire.
Shedd Theatricals Audition Registration Form
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Applicant Information
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   Mar 2, 9:00-1:00 pm
   Mar 2, 2:00-5:00 pm
Attendance at the 1-2 pm dance call is required for adults.
Callbacks will be announced at auditions.
Audition process comments or questions
We will confirm your application by return email.
SHEDD CASTING PROTOCOLS: The Shedd Institute assesses actors for its musical theatre productions on an ongoing basis, and often casts by invitation bases on past auditions or work with an actor. It offers open in-person auditions and, at times, separate auditions for youth under 16, approximately every 6 months. Each audition focusses on several upcoming productions and often the majority of roles in a show are filled up to 6 months before we go into production. Our open auditions afford the best way for actors unknown by The Shedd creative team or actors who wish to keep in front of that team to do so. Actors who cannot participate in the most immediate Shedd production are strongly advised to audition in order to be in the best position for favorable consideration for roles in subsequent productions. If you choose not to or cannot audition but still have interest in being a part of our productions, you still need to fill out this online audition registration indicating your interest.
SUGGESTIONS:The 3 musicals in the Shedd's 2024 season are from 2 distinct periods in the history of musical theatre: GIRL CRAZY (1930, George & Ira Gershwin, Buy Bolton & John McGowan) lies smack in the middle of the Golden Age of Musical Comedy (1924-42); HELLO, DOLLY! (1964, Jerry Herman & Michael Stewart) and OLIVER! (1960, Lionel Bart) are right in the middle of the Golden Age of Musical Theatre (1943-65). Each show suggests its own approach to acting, singing and dancing consistent with the era of its creation and the especial vision and artistic leanings of its creators. Keep this in mind as you prepare for your audition. We recommend that you DO NOT prepare songs from the post mid-1960s period, and that you choose arrangements that are in a classical musical comedy/musical theatre style; similarly, we advise you to choose your monologue from the period 1940s-early '60s as well..