City Lit Theater has announced open casting calls for its upcoming production of Shane, seeking a diverse range of performers to bring the classic Western narrative to the Chicago stage. The production is prioritizing inclusive casting, specifically noting that all roles are open to actors of any race and that male characters are open to cisgender, transgender, and gender-nonconforming performers.
The Shane Chicago theatre auditions will take place over two days in April. Actors interested in participating must first request an audition slot by emailing their headshot, resume, and the specific role for which they are being considered to Becca Holloway at [email protected]. Applicants are instructed to leverage the subject line “Shane Audition Request” to ensure their materials are processed.
Confirmed audition windows are scheduled for April 18 from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. And April 19 from 2 p.m. To 5 p.m. Those selected for an appointment will be required to prepare sides from the script for their in-person audition. The production is seeking actors who can handle the physical and emotional demands of a frontier setting, noting that experience in stage combat and gun play is a significant advantage for several of the roles.
Casting Requirements and Character Profiles
The production of Shane centers on themes of redemption, violence, and the transition from a lawless frontier to a settled society. The casting call outlines a wide array of characters, ranging from the weathered homesteaders to the volatility of hired gunslingers.
The titular role of Shane requires an actor in their 20s or 30s capable of portraying a gunfighter haunted by a history of cruelty. The character’s arc focuses on a struggle for a better version of himself, facilitated by the kindness of the Starrett family, though the narrative suggests he is a man who can never truly inhabit the peace he helps create.
The role of Bob Starrett serves as the production’s narrator, requiring a performer who can fluidly shift between a man in his 20s and a young boy of 9 to 11 years. This role is central to the play’s framing, as the adult Bob processes the frightening and exciting events of his childhood through a more worldly lens.
Other key roles include Joe Starrett, a charismatic and intelligent farmer in his late 30s or 40s, and Fletcher, the cattle baron who serves as the primary antagonist. Fletcher is described as a man of significant financial and political power who views the valley as a resource for his herds. The production is also seeking actors for various supporting roles, including the amoral gunslinger Wilson and the opportunistic salesman Ledyard, both of which may be played by the same performer.
Although the role of Marian Starrett—the intelligent and witty matriarch of the Starrett home—has already been cast, the theater is actively seeking an understudy for the position. Marian is a pivotal character who provides the emotional bridge between the settled world and the danger represented by Shane.
Production Timeline and Financials
City Lit Theater, known for its commitment to presenting overlooked or challenging works within the Chicago arts community, has established a rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule spanning from May through October.
The process begins with a workshop on May 30, followed by a first rehearsal date of July 8. The rehearsal period includes a scheduled break from July 20 to July 26. The production will move into a technical phase from August 15 to August 20, after which there will be no further rehearsal conflicts.
The performance run is structured as follows:
| Phase | Dates | Performance Times |
|---|---|---|
| Previews | August 21–28 | Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. |
| Opening Night | August 29 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Main Run | August 29–October 4 | Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. |
| Special dates | Sept 21 &. 28 | Monday performances |
Compensation for the production is structured via stipends and per-show fees. Principal actors will receive a $150 rehearsal stipend and $25 per performance. Understudies are offered a higher initial stipend of $300, with the same $25 per-show rate applied when they perform.
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
In alignment with broader industry shifts toward inclusive casting, City Lit Theater has explicitly stated that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. This policy extends to all activities and productions hosted by the organization.
By opening all roles to any race and welcoming trans and GNC actors for male roles, the production aims to reinterpret the classic Western through a contemporary lens of identity and representation. This approach allows the theater to explore the universal themes of the story—such as the cost of violence and the desire for a fresh start—without being bound by the traditional racial or gender tropes of the Western genre.
The next critical checkpoint for interested artists is the submission of materials to Becca Holloway. Once the initial screening of headshots and resumes is complete, the theater will notify selected candidates of their specific appointment times for the April 18 and 19 auditions.
For those seeking further information on the production or the theater’s mission, official updates are typically posted via the theater’s primary communication channels.
Do you have experience with stage combat or a passion for Western classics? Share this casting call with your network or depart a comment below about your thoughts on inclusive casting in classic theater.
