Lyric Opera of Chicago to hold dance auditions for The Listeners, Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s opera in its widely anticipated Lyric premiere
Audition date is September 8, 2024
Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with significant stage experience for its upcoming production of The Listeners, by renowned composer/librettist team Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek. The production will be directed by the acclaimed theater artist Lileana Blain-Cruz, with choreography by Raja Feather Kelly. August Tye is the ballet mistress.
The Listeners is casting one (1) female-presenting dancer and one (1) female-presenting cover for a key role in the opera, embodied as a coyote The choreographer, Raja Feather Kelly, is seeking to audition dancers with a background in modern dance and strong acting abilities. This role will require a significant amount of floor work and strong knee support will be critical.
Kelly describes the dancer character of the coyote as:
The dancer’s character, the Coyote, is a shapeshifter. A mysterious, otherworldly guide into the unknown. The dancer should feel ancient and weathered, as if they have been part of the land forever. The perfect dancer will have an intensity, and the ability to carry a kind of foreboding/ominous energy.
Please note that the top of the costume is open knit and may require some level of comfort with partial nudity.
Dancers of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.
Rehearsals will begin March 3, 2025, with five (5) performances running from Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 11, 2025.
The deadline to register for this audition is Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Chicago time.
The schedule for Sunday, September 8 (20 N Wacker Drive) is as follows:
- 9:00 a.m. - Check in: must arrive by 9:30 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. - Warm-up class (mandatory)
- 11:00 a.m. - Auditions begin
For further information on audition requirements and registration, please email your résumé and headshot via attachment to balletaud@lyricopera.org. Auditions will be by invitation only.
Please be prepared to show a government-issued photo identification card to gain access to the audition. All applicants must have valid eligibility to work in the United States. The company will not apply for working permits for foreign dancers.
Artists at Lyric are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Should you be hired for The Listeners you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.