The Festival is intent on continuously evolving its understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-racism. We welcome actors of every identity and encourage artists who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, People of Colour, D/deaf, disabled and the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the auditioning process. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible audition site, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) please let us know when submitting your request to audition.

General Auditions are customarily held annually across Canada, usually between late January and early March. Due to the pandemic, we did not hold in-person General Auditions this year, and we are hopeful that we may resume these auditions in 2022. Audition notices will be posted in several locations including this website, the Equity e-Drive and Casting Workbook.

Actors selected to audition are asked to prepare two contrasting monologues; at least one should be a Shakespeare speech and each monologue should be no longer than two minutes. As our goal is to meet as many new artists as possible each year, we ask that you do not submit an audition request if you have been seen in the previous 2 years.

If you would like to be considered for an audition, and are eligible to work in Canada (as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) please send your headshot and resume to casting@stratfordfestival.ca. Please include "General Auditions" in the subject line of your email.

Members of Canadian Actors' Equity are given priority when appointments are scheduled.

Non-Equity child and jobber auditions are usually held in the fall. Please check the website in September and October for postings and details about these auditions.

AUDITIONS FOR THE 2022 BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATORY:

OUT OF RESPECT FOR INDIGENOUS ARTISTS WHO ARE IN DEEP MOURNING AT THIS TIME, THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS EXTENDED TO JUNE 7.

Auditions:                            Monday July 5, 2021 - audition invitations to be sent by June 17
Call backs:                           Fall 2021 - date TBD

Please submit photo and resume to: casting@stratfordfestival.ca. Please put 2021 CONSERVATORY in the subject line.

Start date:                         Monday, January 24, 2022 - The Conservatory is a 2 yr. commitment.
End date:                          Monday, December 18, 2023 - Date are approximate and subject to change.
Contract type:                  Conservatory Participant, Letter of Agreement

Audition requirements:
If you receive an invitation to audition, please submit a self-tape. Your self-tape should include: 

• an introduction
• 2 contrasting Shakespeare monologues
• 1 contemporary monologue and/or a piece of music (self-accompanied, if you wish)
• each monologue should be no more than 1.5 minutes in length
• you may present one of your monologues in a language other than English, if you wish 
• please conclude your tape telling us why you would like to audition for the Birmingham Conservatory

*These self-tapes are not expected to be studio quality. We understand that each artist will be using whatever resources are available to them.*

Comments:
In present artistic circles, the use of the word “Conservatory” can refer to an imperialist, white supremacist, patriarchal desire to conserve the exclusionary practices of the past. However, as the Stratford Festival consciously works to recognize its involvement with these practices, our objective is to employ the word “Conservatory” to refer to an incubator and sanctuary for tender plants, a place where they may flourish and grow, a place where they can establish themselves. It is designed for artists who have acquired foundational training (either from a theatre school, or a non-conventional, experiential learning process) and have two to five years of professional experience. The Birmingham Conservatory is a paid two-year intensive where artists are invited to further develop their voice and craft alongside and within the professional environment of the Festival’s repertory company. Diversity in our workplace, in our audiences and on our stages fosters a rich and creative environment. We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage artists from Indigenous, Inuit, Metis, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+. For more information about the Birmingham Conservatory please click here.

Director of Conservatory: Janine Pearson
Casting Director: Beth Russell
Artistic Associate, Casting: Marcel Stewart
Casting Assistant: Jennifer Emery
Contact info: casting@stratfordfestival.ca