At MidCoast Shakes, we believe that the arts and community thrive on diversity.

We are dedicated to non-traditional casting, fully accessible productions, and creating a brave space for everyone to come together. We hope you’ll join us!

Our 2026 Summer Shakespeare production will happen in Belfast, ME April - June, 2026 and will include an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth (ages 18+) on June 24-28. For audition information, please see below.

Macbeth

  • Our summer festival rehearsals will run remotely beginning April 15, 2026 and in-person beginning in May 2026. Our performances will run June 24-28, 2026.

  • No Shakespeare experience necessary - our cast will train with professional theater experts on all aspects of performance, including text analysis, stage combat, stage intimacy, and performance techniques.

  • We are currently non-Equity and there are no fees for participating.

  • Limited housing options are available for out-of-area actors. If you require local housing options, you must state that on your audition application. Being cast is not a guarantee that there will be local housing available.

  • This season, auditions are for adult actors (18+)

  • We will create a flexible schedule based on actor availability. Actors should expect to rehearse some Monday-Friday evenings, and some Saturday & Sunday rehearsals will occur during the day. Once an actor commits to a rehearsal schedule, they are expected at all scheduled rehearsals.

  • Rehearsals will be held at our Studio in Belfast, ME

  • Performances will be outdoors in Belfast, ME (with an indoor venue for inclement weather).

  • We will be hosting in-person auditions at our Studio in Belfast, ME

  • We are accepting digital auditions until March 15, 2026

In-Person Audition Info:

Live auditions will be held on Thursday, March 12 from 6 PM - 8:30 PM and on Saturday, March 14 from 12 PM to 3 PM in our studio at 9 Field Street, Suite 118, Belfast, ME. 

All auditioners must register online with us in advance. We will send you additional information once you have registered with us.

For live auditions, please prepare UNDER FIVE MINUTES TOTAL, consisting of:

  • One Shakespeare monologue

  • One contrasting monologue (Shakespeare or not)

Please bring a hard copy of your resume, and be prepared for a short interview with the production team.

REGISTER for In-Person Auditions

Digital Audition Info:

Please record two contrasting pieces, at least one of them Shakespeare, and upload them as a single video UNDER FOUR MINUTES to YouTube. 

Email us (link provided below) with your YouTube link, your headshot and resume attached, and the following questions answered in the body of the email (please do not send your email until all materials, links, and answered questions are included):

  • Name, age, DOB, City & State where you live currently

  • Do you have local housing for the production period?

  • Are you available to rehearse in the evenings M-F?

  • Are you available to rehearse on weekends?

  • Do you have any conflicts June 22 – August 2?

Once we have received your digital audition, we will reach out to schedule an online interview with the production team.

The Recorded Audition deadline is March 15, 2026.

Submit Taped Audition (via email)

Zero Tolerance Policy

Here at MidCoast Shakespeare Studio, we respect the dignity of every person, regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical status, or any other factor.

It is part of our mission to inspire and develop the artistry within all members of our community. To succeed in this mission, we must all agree to play our part in building a more inclusive and equitable world, starting with our own organization.

Hate has no home here and we will not tolerate derisive or disrespectful rhetoric or treatment of anyone who chooses to participate in any of our activities. This includes our work in the studio, our classes and workshops, and in our social media interactions. Anyone who cannot work with us to co-create an environment that is welcoming, open, and respectful will be asked to find another company to work with.