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Professional Adult Actor Auditions

A note from First Stage and our Belonging, Equity, Access, and Diversity (BEAD) Committee

Updated March 25, 2024:

At First Stage we recognize that our audiences connect more deeply with our work when they see themselves on stage. To that end, we will list race/ethnicity/ability when specific to the character and/or story but are otherwise seeking all races, ethnicities and abilities. Additionally, while most characters we currently encounter in scripts are written with binary pronouns (he/him or she/her), our casting seeks to be as inclusive as possible. We invite gender non-conforming, genderqueer, transgender, and non-binary actors to submit for the roles in which most interest them. (Adopted from language originally created by Kevin Kantor and Emily Trarquin of Actors Theatre of Louisville)

2024/2025 Season Auditions

If you are interested in auditioning for a role in our 2024/25 season, please email auditions@firststage.org to schedule your time slot.

Audition appointments will be scheduled on a first come-first served basis until full. We will be accepting any AEA and non-AEA audition reels (including a dance reel if interested in one of the musicals) through May 1, 2024 and will hold call backs by invitation in person in Milwaukee in May/June 2024.

Please prepare a monologue and a song in the style of our season. You can also choose to prepare two contrasting monologues or two contrasting songs instead. Your pieces, including your slate, should be 3-5 minutes in length. We will have an accompanist in the room.

First Stage Adult Equity Generals

Monday, March 25, 2024, 9AM—5PM
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI 53212

First Stage Adult Non-Equity Generals

Monday, April 1, 2024, 10AM—5PM
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI 53212

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Understudy Opportunities

All adult roles will be understudied for this season by non-union actors. A First Stage understudy usually covers one to two tracks. Understudies are expected to attend rehearsals 2-3 times a week during the rehearsal process as well as attending the show once a week while in performance. Must be local to Milwaukee.

Understudy tracks pay $150/week with added pay per performance should you have to go on. Contact Associate Artistic Director Michelle LoRicco at mloricco@firststage.org if you are interested in being considered for an Understudy role.

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Other ways to be involved with First Stage

We are always looking for teaching artists for our Theater in Education programs during the school year, and our Theater Academy during the school year and in the summer. 

For Academy teaching artist opportunities, please send your interest and resume to Academy Director J.T. Backes at jtbackes@firststage.org.

For opportunities with our in-school or after school education programs, please contact Interim Education Director, Brinn Hill, at bhill@firststage.org with your interest and resume.

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About First Stage

FIRST STAGE is proud to employ between 24-32 professional actors every season, and there are opportunities for Internships, Understudies, and Teaching Artist Fellows. FIRST STAGE employs Actor’s Equity Association Actors and Non-Equity actors under a Theatre For Young Audience (TYA) Contract.

First Stage is one of the nation’s largest professional theatre for young audiences. We are an Equity theatre that also hires non-equity actors and understudies for all shows. Contracts run in length from six to nine weeks. We do age-appropriate casting for our young roles, and cast anywhere from five to 25 young performers per show. We also are interested in actors who have experience or potential as teaching artists either in our Theater in Education department or our nationally acclaimed Theater Academy.

 

For more information about auditions:

Jeff Frank, Artistic Director, at jfrank@firststage.org or (414) 267-2981
Michelle LoRicco, Associate Artistic Director, at mloricco@firststage.org 
Or email auditions@firststage.org

When possible, please submit your headshot and resume electronically ahead of time.