Lyric Opera of Chicago announces auditions for Guys and Dolls
Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for Chicago-based musical theater artists to perform principal roles, covers, and ensemble singers and dancers in the 2026-27 season performances of Guys and Dolls. Inspired by contemporary thrift shops and urban missions, this production by acclaimed director Francesca Zambello reimagines the Save-a-Soul Mission as a liminal space between the original Prohibition-era 1930s and the
vibrant aesthetics of modern-day New York. The performances will be conducted by James Lowe with choreography by Joshua Bergasse. Artists should be local to the Chicagoland area and have full-time availability for rehearsals and performances. Lyric Opera of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive casting and encourages all highly accomplished singers, actors, and dancers to audition.
Guys and Dolls will engage seven principal cast artists, twenty-eight ensemble artists, and four off-stage swings:
• Sarah Brown, leading role
• Sky Masterson, leading role
• Miss Adelaide, leading role
• Nathan Detroit, leading role
• Nicely-Nicely Johnson, featured role
• Benny Southstreet, featured role
• Arvide Abernathy, featured role
• All other named roles (Big Jule, Harry the Horse, Gen. Cartwright, Mimi, etc.) and all understudies will come from the 28-person ensemble.
The rehearsal and performance 6-week period is from May 10, 2027, through June 20, 2027, with 19 performances scheduled from opening night on June 4, 2027. Weekly rates are established by the collective bargaining agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and are set for the 2026-27 season at $3,107.00 for leading roles, $2,086.00 for featured roles, and $1,447.00 for ensemble and offstage swings.
Ensemble members asked to understudy a leading role will receive an additional $639.00 per week for the full period, and an additional $1,021.00 per week for any week in which they perform a leading role. Ensemble members asked to understudy a featured role will receive an additional $639.00 per week for any week in which they perform a featured role.
Audition schedule
Auditions will take place at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 40 North Wacker Drive (stage door):
- Wednesday, July 15*: Ensemble auditions and dance calls
- Thursday, July 16: Ensemble auditions and dance calls
- August TBD: Principal auditions
- August TBD: Principal and ensemble callbacks
- Tuesday, September 15: Ensemble callback
- Wednesday, September 16 – Friday, September 18: Final round and director sessions for principals, understudies, and ensemble
*The first round of ensemble auditions on July 15 will be a union call open only to members of AGMA and Actors’ Equity Association.
Auditions are by invitation only.
To be considered, please submit the form at this link: https://forms.gle/NZETsevPtttgcH4HA
- Not all applicants are guaranteed an audition. Auditions will be scheduled based on review of submitted materials, accepted through July 8, 2026.
- All auditions must be done live in Chicago.
- All artists who submit the linked form and submit the required materials (details in form) will be notified by July 10, 2026.
- Walk-ins will not be seen.
Audition requirements
Successful applicants will be asked to prepare musical excerpts and sides according to the roles or ensemble positions for which they are in consideration. Lyric Opera of Chicago will provide a pianist. All preliminary ensemble auditions in July will participate in a dance call to learn a routine from the production taught by choreographer Joshua Bergasse.
Additional information
Artists at Lyric Opera of Chicago are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Should an artist be hired, they will be required to join this union if they are not already a member. Auditionees must be United States citizens or possess, at the time of the audition, legal permission to work in the United States of America during the rehearsal and performance period.
For more information please email musicals@lyricopera.org, or visit our website at
www.lyricopera.org/about/auditions.
About Lyric Opera of Chicago and Lyric Unlimited
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form. To learn more about Lyric’s current and future season, visit lyricopera.org.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic
information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.