Lyric Opera of Chicago to hold dance auditions for Champion

CHICAGO (6/9/2023) – Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with exceptional ability in character work, African, modern, jazz, ballet, and social genres for the six-time Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard’s Champion directed by James Robinson and choreographed by Camille A. Brown. Christopher Jackson will be the associate choreographer. August Tye is the ballet mistress.

Lyric is casting 8 male-presenting dancers and one male-presenting cover and 4 female-presenting dancers plus one female-presenting cover. Dancers of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals will begin January 2, 2024, with six (6) performances running from January 27 through February 11, 2024.

The deadline to register for this audition is Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. CT

The schedule for the audition on Monday, July 31 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 [email protected]. 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. 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 Champion 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 Blanchard and Cristofer's Champion is generously made possible by The Zell Family Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, and Ethel & Bill Gofen.

Major support for The New Work Fund provided by the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation and David W. Carpenter and Orit K. Carpenter, in loving memory of David W. Carpenter.

Lyric Opera's Season is presented by

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.

Join us @LyricOpera on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook. #WhereChicagoSings