Website Midsommer Flight
High quality, accessible Shakespeare in Chicago communities.
Now entering its 15th season presenting outdoor Shakespeare in partnership with Chicago Park District, Midsommer Flight is accepting non-union actor submissions for its upcoming outdoor summer production of As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf.
As Midsommer Flight performs in diverse communities, we would like our cast to mirror the beauty of the neighborhoods that we perform in. Therefore, we encourage actors of all backgrounds to audition and are seeking an inclusive cast featuring folks of all body types, abilities, gender identities, and ethnicities. We are especially looking for performers who sing and/or play instruments.
We are looking to cast 12 principal actors and 6 swing/understudy actors.
Material to Prepare:
Please prepare a 90 second Shakespeare or classical monologue. If you sing and/or play an instrument, please also prepare a 30-60 sec music selection, any style of music. Musicians, if you accompany yourself while singing, we would love to see that as well.
Submission Details: Please email Casting Director Becca Holloway at auditions@midsommerflight.com with the subject line “AYLI 2026”. Include your headshot, resume, and which role(s) you are interested in auditioning for. If we would like you to audition, we will send you the audition form and instructions.
Time Commitment:
First Read Through: May 18, 2026, 7-10 PM
Note: Actor-musicians may be called to music rehearsals in May prior to the
first read through, pending their availability.
Rehearsals: Monday – Thursday evenings, 7-10 PM (indoors) or 6:30-9 PM (outdoors)
Saturdays 10 AM – 4 PM
NO rehearsal Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day
Dress Rehearsals: Wednesday, 6/24/26, 12-5pm
Thursday, 6/25/26, 12-5pm
Performances: June 26 – August 2, 2026
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 6:00 PM
There will be one Thursday performance on July 2 at 6pm, and no performance on July 4.
Pick Up Rehearsals: 2-3 understudy put-ins and/or pick-up rehearsals may be scheduled throughout the run as we transition to new parks. Exact dates are TBD but
will be communicated on the production calendar.
SCHEDULE CONFLICTS: Rehearsal conflicts must be communicated up front. Additional conflicts that are not listed on your audition form may not be approved at the director’s discretion. Conflicts during dress and opening weekend performances will not be allowed or accommodated.
Character Type/Restrictions:
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
Please note that genders and ages listed refer only to the character, and do not need to match the actor’s
ROSALIND (female, any race/ethnicity, 20s) - witty, smart, and resourceful daughter to Duke Senior
CELIA (female, any race/ethnicity, 20s) - Rosalind’s cousin and best friend, daughter to Duke Frederick, a keen observer
PHEBE (female, any race/ethnicity, 20s) - a young, strong-willed shepherdess
AMIENS/FIRST LORD AT COURT (any gender, any race/ethnicity, any age, musician track) - musician and lord attending Duke Frederick/Duke Senior
AUDREY (female, any race/ethnicity, 20s, possible musician track) - a sweet and charming goatkeeper
ORLANDO (male, any race/ethnicity, 20s) - resolute and determined youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys, and also a hopeless romantic
OLIVER (male, any race/ethnicity, 20s-30s, possible musician track) - Orlando’s mean-spirited elder brother, but there’s hope for him yet
CHARLES AND OTHERS (male, any race/ethnicity, 20s-30s, musician track) - wrestler at Duke Frederick’s court, and others
DUKE FREDERICK/DUKE SENIOR (any gender, any race/ethnicity, 40s-60s) - the usurping duke and the exiled duke, brothers
SILVIUS (male, any race/ethnicity, 20s) - a sweet young shepherd in love
JAQUES (any gender, any race/ethnicity, 30s-50s, musician/singer track) - a lord attending Duke Senior whose wit and cynicism cover up more sincere ideals
TOUCHSTONE (any gender, any race/ethnicity, 30s) - a court fool with a quick and sometimes bawdy wit
To apply for this job email your details to auditions@midsommerflight.com