Website chicagoshakes Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Seeking actors who speak Spanish, English, or a mix thereof for ROMEO Y JULIETA, a 90-minute adaptation of ROMEO AND JULIET set in early 1960s Miami. Fluency varies in accordance to the role.
Young male actors should have experience in stage combat, though it will not be traditional sword play but rather found objects from their environment.
This production will have multiple matinees in addition to evening performances. A performance schedule will be made available to actors before acceptance of any offers.
ROMEO Y JULIETA in an abridgment by Henry Godinez
Bilingual adaptation by Karen Zacarias
CONTRACT BEGINS:12/21/2026
FIRST PREVIEW: 1/26/2027
OPENS: 1/31/2027
CLOSES: 3/7/2027
Director: Henry Godinez
Artistic Director: Edward Hall
Executive Director: Kimberly Motes
Casting Director: Bob Mason
Casting Associate: Alexis Taylor
Material to Prepare:
Please prepare a short Shakespeare monologue of your choice, in either English or Spanish, or a combination of the two,
Upload video and headshot/resume as one PDF to:
AEA: https://forms.gle/qdhzkUwaVjkqtFR96
NON: https://forms.gle/sUGUNRhPZxjGPG1J8
Please send videos via a link such as youtube or vimeo. Please do not send links that must be downloaded. Send all materials by end of day on Tuesday, June 2.
Time Commitment:
10 am to 6 pm, 6 days a week.
Character Type/Restrictions:
All ROLES WILL BE UNDERSTUDIED.
Background note: The Capuletos were friendly to the Batiste regime and were able to emigrate from Cuba with many of their material things before Fidel came to power in the late 50s. The Montescos were anti-Batiste, so they emigrated with very little. The Montescos work as landscapers to the Capuletos in Miami.
SEEKING:
ROMEO. 17 to 25. Son of Montescos (darker, more ethnic Afro-Latino or bi-racial Latino). sensitive and impulsive.. He turns to leap before he looks. Bilingual and skilled in verse.
JULIETA. Daughter to Capuleta. 17-25. Growing into a woman, she is wise beyond her ears. Passionately in love with Romeo with her whole being. Bilingual and speaks verse effortlessly.
MERCUTIO. Male-identifying. Mid-to-late20s. Black American. Kinsman to the prince, and friend to Romeo. Vietnam vet with PTSD which can make him unstable at times.—not Cuban but sympathetic to Montescos. Not a Spanish seeker. Spanglish—not bi-lingual (same with Montescos except Romeo).)
BENVOLIO. Nephew to Montesco, and friend to Romeo. A peacemaker.
TYBALT. mid-20s. Nephew to Lady Capuleta. Cuban/M White Latino, very good Spanish like rest of Capulet
CAPULETO – Head of the family. Wants to project a sense of wealth and high status, perhaps above his means. Rules his home with an iron fist.
LADY CAPULETO. 40s to 50s. Loyal wife to Capuleta. Loves her daughter but lacks the maternal instinct. (OFFER ACCEPTED. SEEKING UNDERSTUDY)
FRIAR LAURENCE – Male. late 20s to early 30s. White activist priest, trying to mend this violent word with good intentions, but his attempts only propel the tragedy further. Perhaps the play begins with him dictate the story.
NURSE. 40s to 60s Companion and nurturer for Julieta. Possessed with an undeniable spirit, warm heart, and sense of humor. (OFFER OUT).
BALTHASAR. Male. 20s to 30s. servant to Romeo/Abram – Latino. Looking for actor to play Cuban or Spanish guitar (gres) or piano. Will double.
PETER/servant to Julieta's Nurse. Cannot read. Comic sense. Will double or understudy.
APOTHECARY. Male or Female. 20s to 50s. Could be African-Cuban priest or priestness using herbs. Will double and /or understudy.
PARIS a young nobleman. Wealthy. Self-entitled but not a villain. Some stage combat helpful.
LADY/LORD MONTAGUE Hispanic or black leaders of the family, immigrants who struggle, working as landscapers to the Capuletos, among others. Darker complexioned. Wil double and/or understudy.
To apply for this job please visit forms.gle.