Careers at The Shaw - Shaw Festival Theatre

NOTICE OF GENERAL AUDITIONS FOR
THE SHAW FESTIVAL 2027 SEASON AND BEYOND

Casting persons in attendance:
Dramatic auditions: Artistic Director Tim Carroll and Associate Artistic Director Kimberley Rampersad

Musical auditions: Music Director Paul Sportelli, Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza, Artistic Director Tim Carroll and Associate Artistic Director Kimberley Rampersad

Deadline to submit: December 6 2025 – 6:00pm Eastern Standard Time

Email applications to: [email protected]
Contact name: Thom Marriott
Contact email: [email protected]
Contact phone: 905-468-2153
Engager website: www.shawfest.com

Agreement: CTA

ETHNO CULTURAL STATEMENT: The Shaw Festival encourages submissions from artists of all backgrounds.

SHAW FESTIVAL THEATRE MISSION: To create unforgettable theatrical encounters in any way we want, inspired by the spirit of George Bernard Shaw: mischievous and witty; provocative and iconoclastic; engaged with the world. We want to be a two-way Theatre where the audience has a real voice, and is not excluded from any aspect of our work.

Additional information: NOTICE OF GENERAL AUDITIONS FOR THE SHAW FESTIVAL 2027 SEASON AND BEYOND

City: TORONTO
Location: TBD

MUSICAL AUDITIONS:  January 22 & 23, 2026
DRAMA AUDITIONS:  February 17 & 18, 2026

REQUIREMENTS:
All auditions are by appointment only. Equity members cast in the season will be engaged under an Equity contract. CAEA members: please bring your membership information to the audition.

Drama:  Attended by Artistic Director Tim Carroll and Associate Artistic Director Kimberley Rampersad: One (1) monologue from any period before WW2 (originally written in English but please, no Shakespeare). We’ll be seeing actors in groups of eight to ten people for an hour long work session in which the monologue will be shared, and the entire group involved all the time. This will give us the chance to get to know the actor and how they work. We require that you ONLY submit your client(s) to one category: either MUSICAL or DRAMA but NOT BOTH.

Musical:  The audition consists of two sessions: Individual Singing call attended by Artistic Director Tim Carroll, Music Director Paul Sportelli, and Associate Artistic Director Kimberley Rampersad: 2 contrasting songs, preferably an up tempo and a ballad.  At least 1 of your selections should be from the period 1920-1960, and at least 1 of your selections should be a song from a musical.  Please note: we may only hear one song. An Accompanist will be provided for musical auditions. Please bring your music in the key in which you will be singing. The accompanist will not be able to transpose it for you.

PLUS you may be asked to attend a group acting call attended by Artistic Director Tim Carroll, Music Director Paul Sportelli and Associate Artistic Director Kimberley Rampersad later the same day: one (1) monologue from any period before WW2 (originally written in English but please, no Shakespeare). We’ll be seeing actors in groups of eight to ten for an hour long work session in which the monologue will be shared, and the entire group involved all the time. This will give us the chance to get to know the actor and how they work. We require that you ONLY submit your client(s) to one category: either MUSICAL or DRAMA but not BOTH.

COMMENTS:  Applicants selected for an audition will be contacted to confirm an appointment.

WE WILL NOT CONTACT ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT IF YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
As you can appreciate, we handle a large volume of submissions and would welcome your help in providing the best possible consideration for you/your clients.

We require that you only submit yourself/your client(s) TO THE ONE CATEGORY either MUSICAL or DRAMA but not BOTH.

Agents, please ensure your clients do not submit themselves if you are submitting them.

Please submit resumes and photos in a single PDF

Please make all electronic submissions via email: [email protected]

Please note that we are not accepting recorded or virtual audition requests.

We are only accepting audition requests for the dates indicated. If you will not be available, please do not submit.
We are only accepting audition requests from artists who are legally able to work in Canada.

All submissions must indicate if the artist is Equity or Non-Equity.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

Please send submissions NO LATER THAN SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 AT 6:00pm EASTERN STANDARD TIME. Submissions received after this date and time will not be considered.

If you are unable to submit electronically, you may submit HARD COPY ONLY RESUME AND PHOTO to the address below.

PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST INDICATE THE ONE CATEGORY IN WHICH YOU WISH TO BE CONSIDERED.

Auditions:
Shaw Festival Theatre
10 Queen’s Parade, Box 774, Niagara on the Lake, ON  L0S 1J0

Inquiries for further information can be made to [email protected]

Position: Facilities Maintenance Lead Hand
Job Type: Full-time (35 hrs/wk, days, evenings and weekend shifts)
Wage Rate: $33.14/hour (plus benefits and RRSP plan)

The Shaw Festival is seeking a Facilities Maintenance Lead Hand. Reporting to the Head of Maintenance the successful applicant will possess five years demonstrated experience and proficiency with all aspects of building maintenance including but not limited to the building envelope, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting. Demonstrated experience with a variety of hand and power tools. This position will perform routine inspections, troubleshooting and maintenance throughout the facilities, respond to Maintenance Work Requests, answer and address emergency calls as needed, physical set–up of workshop and public event spaces, and perform other duties as assigned to ensure patron safety and enjoyment.

Preference will be given to candidates with supervisory experience who possess computer literacy and demonstrated relevant background in all aspects of building maintenance. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, patience and respect in the workplace is a must.

Must be able to work independently, with minimal supervision, and also as part of a team while employing strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. Must be able to exercise physical effort in lifting heavy items and equipment (up to 50lbs) and perform maintenance routines under a variety of conditions.

Please submit cover letter and resume prior to 5pm, February 20, 2026.

Shaw Festival Theatre, Canada
Attn: Director Human Resources
Email: [email protected]

We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

As part of the Slaight Family Academy, we engage two directors as Neil Munro Interns at The Shaw. These early to mid-career directors tend to be from within the Ensemble, through personal invitation on recommendation by those with whom we have a professional relationship, or those whose art and practice we are interested in.

The intern directors have access to pre-production training, and ongoing training “gymnasia” with resident lighting, set, and costume designers, as well as with visiting master directors and theatre practitioners. They work as assistant directors on three shows during the season, deliver pre-show chats, and participate in various aspects of education and outreach at The Shaw. Their final contribution is a late season showcase, The Neil Munro Intern Directors Project, in which they each direct a one act play chosen in conversation with the Artistic Director and the Associate Artistic Director.

Click here for further information about this program. Please send inquiries to Kimberley Rampersad