Auditions

CSC’s 30th Anniversary Production of Shakespeare on the Common: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare

Directed By: Steve Maler, CSC Founding Artistic Director

Please review the following carefully!

First Rehearsal: Between June 22rd-29th, 2026

Production Dates: July 22nd-August 9th, 2026 with possible extension through August 13th, 2026 

AEA Agreement: LOA / LORT with $710.00 / week minimum

About: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) will hold in-person auditions for its 2026 Summer production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by CSC’s Founding Artistic Director, Steven Maler. This production will be rehearsed indoors in Boston, MA and then transfer to CSC’s outdoor performance space on the Boston Common for tech and performances. Transportation and parking will not be provided. We anticipate most roles for this production to be local hire. Work weeks will be 37.5 hours on a 5 day schedule in rehearsals and 6 day schedule in tech and performance. Some contracts will begin in the second week of our rehearsal period. We do not anticipate holding “10/12” technical rehearsals for this production. All AEA roles will be understudied.

We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. All roles are open to qualified performers, without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, national origin, body type, sexual orientation or gender identity or any other basis prohibited by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Accommodations notice: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company encourages performers with disabilities and/or who are D/deaf to audition and will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who request them in advance. Accommodation requests may include: ASL Interpretation, Braille or Large Print Materials, Physical Access, and Social Narratives. To request an accommodation please email Artistic Associate Lauren Cook at auditions@commshakes.org.

AUDITIONS

EPA Auditions will be held in person in Boston on Monday, February 2, 2026 in Studio 204 at the Boston Center for the Arts, Artist Studios building (551 Tremont St, Boston, MA, 02116) from 10am to 6pm, with a 2-3pm meal break. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 in the Arts Resource Room of the Boston Center for the Arts, Calderwood Pavilion (539 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116) (appointment times will be between 10am-4pm.) We will not be accepting virtual submissions at this time. There may be a virtual callback in the following weeks if need be. 

Please note that we are only assigning audition time slots to current AEA members. Non-Equity performers are welcome to attend our auditions on a standby basis and be seen only if time allows; however, please note that only AEA roles are available for the production at this time. Non Equity Performers: We encourage you to learn more about our Apprentice Program.

How to submit for an audition slot:

Interested candidates should fill out an audition form at the button below for an audition slot. 

2026 EPA REQUEST FORM

For the auditions, please prepare a 2-minute Shakespeare monologue, preferably in verse. You may be asked for a second short contemporary contrasting monologue. 

As you prepare for this audition, we encourage you to review this note from our director, Steve:

Dear Actors,

Thank you for taking the time to audition! I am looking for actors who move well, are clear with the language, and have a sense of play. I am also interested in finding out about your special skills–especially any experience with dance, and/or playing handheld or found instruments–so please include these on your resume. Thank you!

Steve Maler

Questions? Please reach out to us at auditions@commshakes.org

Roles Available:

NOTE: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is an equal opportunity employer. Actors of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders, gender expressions, and people with disabilities are encouraged to audition.

Roles Available:

Theseus/Oberon– (Male, 30s-40) Theseus is Duke of Athens. Compassionate leader but distracted by his current nuptial bliss. Oberon is King of the Fairies. Quick to jealousy and temper but also with a mischievous/humorous streak. AEA

Hippolyta/Titania-(Female, 30s-40)  Hippolyta is to wed Theseus, his match in wit and strength. Queen of the Amazons with a warrior’s background. Titania is Queen of the fairies. Strong and resilient with care/sensitivity for her fairies and the forest. Loves Oberon but stands her ground. AEA

Puck/Philostrate – (Any gender, any age) Must move well. Mischievous and inventive. Assistant to Oberon but always looking to have the most fun possible. A storyteller with a strong sense of play, dance, and movement. AEA

Bottom– (Any gender, any age) Must move well. The “star” of the Mechanicals, set to play the leading knight Pyramus. A true performer whose ambition may not match his skill set. Has a perspective-changing/humbling experience in the forest. AEA

Peter Quince – (Any gender, 30s plus) Quince is the company’s director. Earnest visionary working to corral the chaos of the ensemble. AEA

Flute – (Likely male, 20s-30s) A strong willed performer who probably should be playing the lead. Foil to Bottom. Plays “Thisbe” in the Mechanicals’ play. AEA

Helena – (Female, 20-30s) An often self-deprecating, sometimes obsessed, always passionate, young woman who follows her love into the forest. AEA

Hermia – (Female, 20-30s) A strong-willed young woman, determined to elope with Lysander, whom she loves. Defies her father and the Duke for love. AEA

Demetrius – (Male, 20s-30s) A proud and somewhat arrogant young man, who, thanks to some love juice from the Fairies, wavers rapidly between loving Hermia and Helena. Moves well. AEA

Lysander – CAST 

Additional Information: CSC has transitioned from ‘COVID Safety’ policies to ‘Infection Control and Prevention’ policies. We will continue to maintain COVID vaccination requirements (along with medical and religious exemptions) and may conduct COVID surveillance testing for this project. Our full policies will be communicated ahead of the first day of in-person work and will include requiring all CSC staff and contractors on the production to be current and fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster dose(s) if eligible.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is a participant in the Line Drawn Community Standards Initiative to prevent harassment and abuse in the New England performing arts community and requires all staff, contractors, and volunteers to abide by these standards. More information about Line Drawn can be found at https://commshakes.org/linedrawn/ along with a copy of the current standards.

CSC’s mission and values are summarized on our website at commshakes.org/mission-history. Those who work with us should reflect a commitment to these values. We celebrate diversity and access and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our full Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access can be found at https://commshakes.org/commdeia/. CSC is a place where everyone can grow, so however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a position that interests you.

CSC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Professionals of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply.