2026
Audition
Notice
Since 1989, the Freewill Shakespeare Festival has produced the works of William Shakespeare outdoors with professional Canadian actors, directors, designers and technicians. We are committed to hiring local artists to illuminate in a bold, modern way the humanity of Shakespeare, and explore the relevance of those themes for contemporary audiences.
The productions have not yet been announced. Check back here to find out more details. If you are granted an audition, you will be given all the details about the season before you audition.
In 2026 Freewill returns to their original venue, the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, a 1,000 seat covered outdoor theatre that has been newly renovated. The plan for 2026 is to return with two productions, one Shakespeare comedy and one Shakespeare-adjacent musical.
SUMMARY
Audition Dates: January 30, 31, February 1, 2.
Submission Deadline: Monday, January 19th before 5pm MST.
Please send a headshot and Resume/ CV to: auditions@freewillshakespeare.com
Please title your documents using your last name and first initial, following this example:
"Horak.D Resume.PDF"
Canadian Actors Equity Members will be prioritized.
CAEA members: please indicate your Equity status at the time of submission. Equity members will be seen first at all open audition calls. Please bring your membership number to the audition.
If you have auditioned or worked for the company in the past two years we may not need to see you but please let us know in your submission your interest and availability.
We will also accept taped auditions. See below.
All actors must be locally based for the duration of the contract.
Rehearsals begin: May 19th, 2026
Opening: June 18, 2026
Contract ends: July 12th, 2026
DETAILS
If you receive an invitation to audition, please prepare one monologue from Shakespeare, preferably from a comedy, and prepare an uptempo and a ballad, 16 bar cut of a song. You may only be asked to sing one song. An accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in the correct key.
Please keep the pieces to less than 8 minutes in total length. Candidates should have a strong handle on Shakespearean and heightened text and be able to work outdoors during a variety of weather conditions.
If you are unable to attend the in person auditions please mention this in your submission and we will let you know what the requirements are for a taped audition.
ETHNOCULTURAL MANDATE
The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is located in amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, AB), and we are proud to call Treaty 6 territory home. We strive to reflect the diversity and strength of Edmonton and welcome applicants of all gender identities, cultures, sexual orientations, ethnicities and abilities. We are deeply committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and anti-oppressive creative working environment. This commitment is shared by all of our Board members, staff and volunteers.
ACCESSIBILITY
Please let us know if there are any accessibility needs. If there are any potential barriers (language, disability, or any other considerations) preventing you from applying to audition please let us know and we will work with you to overcome them including accepting video or online auditions.
For those artists who have barriers to access to any part of our process as laid out, please don't hesitate to reach out to us and we will happily work with you to allow you to show us your artistry in whatever format is easiest and accessible to you.