Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with strong technique and significant stage experience for its upcoming production of La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The production will be staged by critically acclaimed director Arin Arbus with choreography by Austin McCormick, artistic director and founder of COMPANY XIV. Teanna Zarro is the ballet mistress. 

La traviata requires two (2) male-presenting and two (2) female-presenting solo dancers, and one (1) male-presenting and one (1) female-presenting cover dancers. All dancers should have substantial professional experience and be highly trained in both ballet and contemporary dance. Dancers should be stylistically versatile with excellent partnering skills and acting ability. Pointe shoes are not required.  

Lyric Opera of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive casting and encourages all highly accomplished dancers to audition. 

Rehearsals will begin Monday, March 1, 2027, with performances running from Wednesday, March 24, through Saturday, April 25, 2027.

The schedule for the audition on Saturday, July 18, is as follows:

• 9:00am: Check-in: must arrive by 9:30am
• 10:00am: Warm-up class
• 11:00am: Audition begins: should conclude no later than 4:00pm, likely earlier

 

The deadline to register for this audition is Friday, July 10, at 5:00pm CDT

To RSVP, you must send your résumé and headshot via attachment to [email protected], and complete the registration form you will receive in reply. You will not be granted the ability to register for an audition until you have made a complete application. Walk-ins will not be seen.

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. Lyric Opera will not apply for working permits for foreign dancers. 

Artists at Lyric Opera of Chicago are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Should you be hired for La traviata you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.

Applications for The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2027/28 Ensemble Singers are now open. 

The full-time contract dates are May 17, 2027, through April 1, 2028 (subject to change), with an option to renew for a second year. 

Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker.

For questions, please contact Logan Skirm via email at [email protected].

APPLY NOW FOR 2027/28 SINGERS 

New York Singer Auditions
Application deadline: March 1, 2026
Audition dates: April 6-7, 2026

Chicago Singer Auditions #1
Application deadline: March 29, 2026
Audition dates: May 8-9, 2026

Chicago Singer Auditions #2
Application deadline: May 31, 2026
Audition dates: July 10-11, 2026

^{Please note, applications for all 2026/27 Ensemble positions are now closed.} 

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to [email protected]. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should email [email protected] with requests for an audition.

 

There are no orchestra auditions at this time. 

There are no chorus auditions at this time.

To request an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please email Tommy Novak, super captain, at [email protected].

 

There are no Lyric Unlimited Auditions at this time. 

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg