Lyric Opera of Chicago announces child actor auditions for Aida

CHICAGO (11/14/2023) – Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for children between the ages 9 and 16 to fill actor roles of boy soldiers in its upcoming production of Aida, by Giuseppe Verdi. The production was originally staged by acclaimed director Francesca Zambello. Jessica Lang is the choreographer and August Tye is the ballet mistress.

Ideal candidates should be between 4 foot 8 inches and 5 foot 6 inches and have demonstrable experience in any of the following art forms: parkour, gymnastics, martial arts, or dance.

Positions are paid as weekly actors.

Children of all ethnicities and any gender are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals will begin February 12, 2024, with ten (10) performances running from Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, April 7, 2024.

The deadline to register for this audition is Monday, December 4, 2023, at 5:00pm CT.

The schedule for Monday, December 11, 2023 is as follows:

4:00pm - Check-in: must arrive by 4:30pm
5:00pm - Audition begins: should conclude no later than 8:00pm, likely earlier

Auditioners should come dressed in comfortable clothing that allows movement, with appropriate footwear being any dance shoes (Jazz, ballet, sneakers) or streetwear like running sneakers.

For further information on audition requirements and registration, please email your résumé and headshot via attachment to [email protected].

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 Aida you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Lyric’s presentation of Verdi’s Aida is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, The Julius Frankel Foundation, Mary Patricia Gannon Trust, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, Liz Stiffel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and ITW.

Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, and the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.

Athletico is the official provider of physical therapy for Lyric.

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About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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