Theatres: Shakespeare
Websites
DMOZ List of Shakespeare Festivals
dmoz.org/Arts/Performing_Arts/Theatre/Shakespeare/Festivals/United_States
DMOZ is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a passionate, global community of volunteer editors. It was historically known as the Open Directory Project (ODP).
Shakespeare Theatre Association
facebook.com/shakespearetheatreassociation
Contact: Patrick Flick, Executive Director.
The Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA) was established to provide a forum for the artistic, managerial, educational leadership for theatres primarily involved with the production of the works of William Shakespeare; to discuss issues and methods of work, resources, and information; and to act as an advocate for Shakespearean productions and training.
Shakespeare Resource Center
Year-Round Shakespeare
Seattle
Seattle Shakespeare Company (SPT)
PO Box 19595
Seattle, WA 98109-1595
(206) 733-8228
facebook.com/seattleshakespeare
Contact: Amy Thone, Casting Director.
Founded in 1991, Seattle Shakespeare Company believes the works of William Shakespeare and other classic playwrights are an essential element of a thriving cultural community. In 2008, SSC merged with the Wooden O, a company that had produced free Shakespeare plays in parks during the summer months. SSC produces in Seattle or on tour 8 to 9 Shakespearean and/or classical plays per year before a total audience of 54,000 members—nearly half of whom are youth. To audition, send a headshot, resume and cover letter through the link listed above after auditions are announced. SSC holds their own general auditions in the spring. These are announced on their website as well as on the TPS website. (See Ch. 1 Theatres: Equity)
Ashland, OR
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (AEA LORT B+)
15 S. Pioneer Street
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 482-2111
For complete submission information: osfashland.org/work-with-us/audition-information.aspx
Founded in 1935, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is among the oldest and largest non-profit, professional theatres in the US. OSF produces 11 plays (Shakespeare, classical and contemporary classics) in an 8 and 1/2 month season. Acting contracts are either 10 months (January through October) or 7 months (April through the mid- October) and involve casting in multiple productions, including understudy roles. Auditions for AEA principals are announced on the AEA website and hotline as well as on the OSF web site. OSF operates under AEA LORT B+ contract. (See Ch.1: Theatres: Summer Stock)
Portland
Northwest Classical Theatre Company
2110 SE 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
(971) 244-3740
Contact:
Grant Turner, Artistic Director. Founded in 1998, The Northwest Classical Theatre Company produces plays from the classical canon (primarily Shakespeare but including Chekhov, Shaw, Ibsen, and others).
Portland Shakes
Mailing Address:
4770 Avery Lane
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Performance Venue:
Artists Repertory Theatre
1515 SW Morrison Street
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 313-3048
facebook.com/Portland-Shakespeare-Project
Contacts: Michael Mendelson, Artistic Director or Karen Rathje, Managing Director
Founded in 2011, Portland Shakespeare Project, now Portland Shakes, is a company committed to a fresh experience of classic, classical and modern plays and how they resonate with a contemporary audience.
Summer Shakespeare
Seattle
GreenStage
PO Box 9594
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 748-1551
Contact: Ken Holmes, Artistic Director.
GreenStage produces several programs each summer, including two full cast Shakespeare plays, and our Backyard Bard series, which is two abbreviated Shakespeare plays both performed by the same cast of 4 actors. Plus we present the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival. Admission always is free. GreenStage posts auditions at TPS and on its website. (See Ch 1: Theatres: Summer Stock & Ch 1: Theatres: NW Theatre Festivals)
Wooden O (SPT)
C/O Seattle Shakespeare Company
P.O. Box 19595
Seattle, WA 98109-1595
(206) 274-8471
seattleshakespeare.org/woodeno
Contact: Amy Thone, Casting Director. Wooden O is the outdoor, traveling arm of The Seattle Shakespeare Company. Wooden O presents 2 to 3 Shakespeare plays each summer at several different locations in the Seattle area. Auditions are in February or March and are announced on the Seattle Shakespeare Company and TPS websites. Rehearsals begin in early June and are held on weekday evenings and weekend days to equal about 25 hours per week. Performances begin in early July and run Wednesday through Sunday evenings. All actors are required to participate in the set-up and break-down of the set. Non-Union actors are paid about $150 per week and Union actors are paid about $200 per week. Wooden O operates under the AEA Small Professional Theatre Agreement. (See Ch. 1 Theatres: Equity Theatre and Summer Stock Theatre.)
East Side
Last Leaf Productions
322 N Madison St
Monroe, WA 98272
(425) 330-9304
facebook.com/lastleafproductions
Contacts: Alexandra Clark or Patricia Haines-Ainsworth, Artistic Directors.
Since 1999, Last Leaf Productions has produced and performed entertaining and/or educational touring productions for children and families. To audition for any the LLP programs, email headshot and resume or attend Last Leaf’s general auditions in April. Individual show and general auditions are announced on the TPS and LLP websites and social media. Summer Shakespeare in the Park – LLP produces 2 Shakespeare productions per season and performers receive an equal share of “pass the hat” donations. Evening and weekend availability is required for actors working Shakespeare productions. (See Ch.1 Theatres: Children’s Theatre, Non-Union Professional Theatre, Readers Theatre)
North Sound
Shakespeare Northwest Skagit River Shakespeare Festival
Mailing Address:
1500 College Way Suite A Box 502
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Performance Venue
Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre
19299 Rexville Grange Rd
Mount Vernon , WA 98273
(360) 941-5744
(206) 317-3023
facebook.com/Shakespeare-Northwest-134945899902319
Contact: Eal Lundquist, Artistic Director.
Founded in 2001, Shakespeare Northwest presents dramatic productions of high professional quality focused on the works of William Shakespeare. SN produces 2 main stage shows in the Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre during July and August. SN typically stages one comedy and one history/tragedy. Shakespeare in the Parks shows perform at various outdoor venues in Skagit and Whatcom counties from mid-June through late July. A touring show participates in Seattle’s Summer Shakespeare Festival. Auditions are announced on the website and Facebook. (See Ch. 1Theatres: Summerstock)
Peninsula and Islands
Island Stage Left ( SA)
1062 Wold Rd.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-5649
facebook.com/Island-Stage-Left-141794299203910
Contact: Helen Machin-Smith, Artistic Director
Launched in 1997, Island Stage Left produces 3 classic, contemporary and/or new works each year, plus the outdoor, “Shakespeare Under the Stars” shows every summer. To audition, email headshot and resume. Private audition appointments can be scheduled in February. Island Stage Left attends the TPS General Auditions. University of Washington PATP graduate students and alumni are encouraged to schedule an audition. Rehearsals are held 6 days a week for 1 to 3 hours. Performances are Thursday-Sunday in the evenings. Actors are paid. Island Stage Left offers several AEA Special Appearance or Guest Artist Agreements per season. (See Ch. 1 Theatres: Non-Union Professional Theatre)
Portland Area
Portland Actors Ensemble
PO Box 8671
Portland, OR. 97207
(503) 467-6573
facebook.com/PortlandActorsEnsemble
Contact: Michael Godsey, Artistic Director.
Each summer since 1970, Portland Actors Ensemble presents 2 to 3 Shakespeare productions for free in Portland metro area (and surrounding environs) parks, colleges, museums, and wineries. To audition, email or send headshot and resume. PAE announces auditions on their website, in the PDX Backstage Blog, on the PATA website, and attends PATA general auditions. Rehearsals are 4 to 6 weeks and are, predominantly, on weekday evenings. Performances are presented Thursday through Saturday in the evenings with some performances held in the afternoon on Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day. Portland Actors Ensemble is non-union and pays a minimum of $600.00 per run. PAE can arrange a Letter of Agreement contract for union members with enough advance notice. (See also Ch. 1: Partial Equity)
Ashland, Oregon
Oregon Shakespeare Festival (AEA LORT B+)
15 S. Pioneer Street
Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 482-2111
For complete submission information: osfashland.org/work-with-us/audition-information.aspx
Founded in 1935, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is among the oldest and largest non-profit, professional theatres in the US. OSF produces 11 plays (Shakespeare, classical and contemporary classics) in an 8 and 1/2 month season. Acting contracts are either 10 months (January through October) or 7 months (April through the mid- October) and involve casting in multiple productions, including understudy roles. Auditions for AEA principals are announced on the AEA website and hotline as well as on the OSF web site. OSF operates under AEA LORT B+ contract. (See Ch.1: Theatres: Summer Stock, Equity)
Idaho
Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Mailing Address:
POB 9365
Boise, ID 83707
Performance Venue:
ISF Amphitheater & Reserve
5657 Warm Springs Avenue
Boise, ID 83716
Admin: (208) 429-9908
Box Office: (208) 336-9221
facebook.com/IdahoShakespeareFestival
Contacts: Tom Ford, Artistic Associate; Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director; or Mark Hofflund, Managing Director.
Founded in 1977, Idaho Shakespeare Festival produces 5 shows a summer in the beautiful outdoor setting of the ISF Amphitheater & Reserve. ISF’s shows and educational programs reach 120,000 K-12 students, teachers, and adults a year. Actors are welcome to submit headshots and resumes at any time. ISF also accepts video auditions. If sending a video, please include a Shakespeare monologue, a contemporary piece and a song (if you sing). Email Tom Ford, Artistic Associate, with attachments or links to your resumes, cover letters and/or uploaded auditions on YouTube. ISF operates under an AEA Letter of Agreement.
Montana
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (GA)
P.O. Box 174120
Bozeman, MT 59717-4120
(406) 994-1220
Contact: Joel Jahnke, Artistic Director. Founded in 1972, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is a non-union professional touring company in residence at Montana State University. Auditions are held in Missoula, MT. MSIP operates under an AEA Guest Artist Agreement.
Canada
Bard on the Beach
301- 601 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6B 2P1
Admin:
604-737-0625
Box Office:: 1-877-739-0559
Auditions announced on website.
Bard on the Beach engages professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the terms of the Independent Theatre Agreement.
Shakespeare Kelowna Theatre Society
2605 Johnson Road,
Kelowna, BC Canada V1W 2R6
(250) 317-1375
shakespearekelowna.org/casting-rehearsals
facebook.com/groups/2407790959
Contact: Steve Jefferys, President
Founded in 1996, the Shakespeare Kelowna Theatre Society produces summer shows of mostly works by Shakespeare. Auditions are announced on the website and the Facebook group.