Summer 2026 in John Hinkel Park AUDITIONS February 22nd and 23rd
Actors Ensemble of Berkeley is holding open auditions for our Summer 2026 productions in the beautiful John Hinkel Park Amphitheater of Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Duffield from the book by Lewis Carroll, directed by Michael Sally and A Midsummer Night's Dream, by Shakespeare, directed by Michael R. Cohen assisted by Ben Prusiner.
Alice opens July 3rd and Midsummer opens August 22nd. Seeking approximately 15 actors for each production, all ages, genders, races, and persuasions are encouraged to apply, and if you play a musical instrument, that's a plus. More information on both productions is below.
Auditions will be in-person at LaVal's Subterranean Theater just north of the U.C. Berkeley campus, Sunday, February 22nd 2-6 pm and Monday, February 23rd 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. Non-AEA/No Pay. A small consideration for expenses is provided. If you cannot make these times we provide the ability using the audition form below for video submittals, but this is not preferred. All are welcome to audition. Please fill out the signup form below AND sign up for an audition slot using the SignupGenius link which follows. If you only sign up on the form you will not have an audition slot assigned and will have to rely on the waiting list at the audition location. In-person auditions will be scheduled for 3 people in 15 minutes intervals, please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. If you cannot find a suitable spot, we will provide a waiting list at the venue, though there is no guarantee you will be seen.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR7X34y_HMpKBnTWvf95qF9x-NcOpeHXeK7f72XmpIvkBUSA/viewform?usp=header
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4EABA623A1F4C43-61879391-actors
-----------AUDITION/PRODUCTION DETAILS----------------------------
ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY is holding in-person for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland adapted by Duffield and directed by Michael Sally, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Michael R. Cohen assisted by Ben Prusiner. Performances will be Saturdays/Sundays and holiday afternoons, 4 p.m., at the John Hinkel Park Amphitheater, 41 Somerset Pl. Berkeley, CA 94707. Both Auditions, and Rehearsals for Alice will be at LaVal's Subterranean Theater, 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709. Rehearsals for Midsummer will be at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central St, Richmond, CA 94803. Carpools/Shuttles from Del Norte BART will be organized for rehearsals for Midsummer. Alice opens July 3rd at 4 p.m. and runs till July 19th. Midsummer opens August 22nd and runs through Labor Day Monday, September 7th. Rehearsals for Alice will begin around May 19th and rehearsals for Midsummer will begin around July 12th.
Open auditions for both shows will be Sunday, February 22nd from 2pm to 6 pm and Monday, February 23rd, from 6pm - 9:30 pm at LaVal's Subterranean Theater, 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709. We greatly prefer that you audition in person, but the option of a video submission is provided. Auditions will be self-scheduled in blocks of 3 people over 15 minute intervals, please arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand. Please prepare a joke, and a 1-2 minute contemporary comic monologue for Alice, and a 1-2 minute Shakespearean monologue for Midsummer. Memorized material is preferred but not essential. When you sign up, if you sign up for a block that has fewer people signed up, there will be more time for you. Sides from Midsummer will be provided at the auditions.
Callbacks for Alice will be Sunday and Monday, March 1st and 2nd, at Berkeley Lodge #270, International Order of the Oddfellows, 2288 Fulton St, Berkeley, CA 94704. Callbacks for Midsummer, if needed, will be at Temple Beth Hillel at a later date. Readings from sides will be provided for callbacks.
The productions will be held in the beautiful John Hinkel Park Amphitheater, free of charge. We will ask the cast to help solicit support for the production at the end of each show, and help with setup and teardown each performance. For most performances we expect to offer refreshments to the audience, which will also be provided to the cast gratis.
Non-AEA/No Pay. We provide expense reimbursement on a sliding scale of $350-$500 per production for each actor cast in a role. Please bring a headshot and resume, if you have one (a simple picture will do) to the auditions and have some idea of your conflicts.
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Alice in Wonderland:
Auditions: Sunday, February 22nd from 2pm to 6 pm and Monday, February 23rd, from 6pm - 9:30 pm
Callbacks: Sunday March 23 2pm- 6pm and Tuesday March 25 6pm - 10pm
Auditions will be at LaVal's Subterranean Theater, 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709
Callbacks if needed will be Sunday, March 1st, 2-5 pm and Monday, March 2nd, 7-10 pm at Berkeley Lodge #270, International Order of the Oddfellows, 2288 Fulton St, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Rehearsals: Monday - Thursday 7pm - 10pm beginning on May 19th. Saturday rehearsals in the park June 20th and 27th during the day. Tech week is June 30th-July 2nd, at the park, Most rehearsals are at LaVal's Subterreanean Theatre, 11834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Show dates are Friday July 3rd, Saturdays and Sundays July 4 - 19, performed in the beautiful outdoor setting of the John Hinkel Park Amphitheater, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley, CA 94707, all at 4 pm.
Cast: Looking to cast 15 actors for roles in an immersive production of Alice in Wonderland . All ages welcome. Especially interested in BIPOC actors and those who can play a musical instrument.
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A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Auditions: Sunday, February 22nd from 2pm to 6 pm and Monday, February 23rd, from 6pm - 9:30 pm
Callbacks: TBD if necessary at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central St, Richmond, CA 94803.
Auditions will be at LaVal's Subterranean Theater, 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Rehearsals will begin on or around July 12th. Most rehearsals will be at Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central St, Richmond, CA 94803. Carpools/Shuttles from Del Norte BART will be organized for rehearsals. In-person rehearsals at the park during the day on August 8th and 15th, and in the evenings the week of August 17th-21st.
Show dates are Saturdays and Sundays August 22 - September 6th and Labor Day Monday, September 7th, performed in the beautiful outdoor setting of the John Hinkel Park Amphitheater, 41 Somerset Pl, Berkeley, CA 94707, all at 4 pm.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the Bard’s most popular comedies and deservedly so. Working with the cast, we will develop a performance that is fun and funny while honoring Shakespeare’s beautiful poetry.
The following parts are available, and none have been pre-cast. Especially interested in BIPOC and actors who can play a musical instrument.
Theseus/Oberon (presents as male 30 to 50)
Hippolyta/Titania (presents as female 20 to 40)
Hermia (presents as female 18 to 35)
Helena (presents as female 18 to 35)
Lysander (presents as male 18 to 35)
Demetrius (presents as male 18 to 35)
Puck (any gender any age)
Bottom (any gender any age)
Quince (any gender any age)
Flute (any gender any age)
Snout (any gender any age)
Snug (any gender any age)
Starveling (any gender any age)
Plus, several faeries/attendants/revelers (any gender any age)
------------------Upcoming events-------------:
February 22/23rd - auditions for Alice in Wonderland and A Midsummer Night's Dream"
April 26th - auditions for a staged reading of Emperor of the Moon, by Behn, directed by Erin Perry. More information TBA
May 26th - Staged reading of Emperor of the Moon, more information TBA.
June 2026 - TBA
July 3rd - July 19th - Alice in Wonderland at John Hinkel Park
July/August 2026 - TBA
August 22nd - September 7th - A Midsummer Night's Dream at John Hinkel Park
Fall 2026 - TBA----------Also-----------:
Directed by our board member Ron Anderson at Masquer's Playhouse in Point Richmond
"The Gods of Comedy"
Performances: April 24 - May 17, 2026– Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm; Thursday, April 30, 8:00 pm
Auditions: Sunday, February 8 th , 6:00 pm-9:00 pm; Monday, February 9th, 7pm-10pm
Audition Signups and info: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49A5A92FABF58-61734682-auditions#/
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Actors Ensemble
P.O. Box 663
Berkeley, CA 94701
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.aeofberkeley.org
A 501(3)(c) organization
